What is the 4:5 Aspect Ratio (Portrait)?
The 4:5 aspect ratio is a tall, feed-native format that takes up more vertical screen space than square without filling the entire screen like 9:16. Because it captures more of the mobile viewport, it can boost visibility and message recall compared to 1:1. Advertisers favor 4:5 when they need extra room for copy, pricing, or product details without committing to full-screen vertical.
Understanding 4:5
Portrait creative commands more real estate in mobile feeds, improving visibility for product details and lifestyle context. It’s a staple for Meta and Instagram feed ads because it occupies more of the viewport than square. The additional height allows clearer hierarchy between hero imagery, benefit text, and CTAs, which helps scannability. Creative teams can maintain brand systems more comfortably in 4:5 by preserving padding and whitespace that might be lost in 1:1. When repurposing from other ratios, 4:5 is often the best compromise between impact and broad compatibility.
The 4:5 aspect ratio also makes captions and subtitles easier to read at a glance. Templates can standardize the placement of product image, price, ratings, and CTA for consistency across SKUs. For motion, larger supers and subtitles improve comprehension for sound‑off viewing. Safe zones at the top and bottom prevent conflicts with platform UI and caption areas. Together, these traits make 4:5 a dependable feed workhorse.
Why 4:5 matters
For mobile‑first feeds, the 4:5 aspect ratio balances immersive presence with cross‑platform flexibility. It helps brands capture more attention without the formatting risks of full‑screen vertical. It also supports clear copy hierarchy and larger subtitles that aid comprehension in feed environments.
- Maximizes vertical real estate in feeds
- Improves thumb-stop potential and copy legibility
- Strong balance of immersion and flexibility across platforms
How 4:5 works in practice
The 4:5 aspect ratio excels in Meta/Instagram and LinkedIn feeds where vertical presence matters. It is useful for video highlights, UGC, and product demos that benefit from larger on‑screen elements. Keep edge‑critical text clear of captions and UI by preserving top and bottom padding. In campaigns, pair 4:5 with 1:1 so asset suites qualify for more feed placements while feeling native. Export both static and motion variants to test whether subtle movement increases thumb‑stop without crowding the frame. Always sanity‑check safe zones against platform UI and caption areas before launch.
Key Takeaways
- 4:5 is the portrait aspect ratio optimized for Instagram/Facebook feeds, earning more vertical space than 1:1.
- Export at 1080x1350 or higher for best quality.
- Keep key elements centered and away from UI overlays (captions, buttons).
- Use templates to scale 4:5 product imagery consistently across your catalog.
