1. What is Pixel Aspect Ratio?

Definition: Pixel Aspect Ratio (PAR) is the ratio of width to height of a single pixel in a digital image.

Purpose: It helps determine whether pixels are square (1:1) or rectangular, which is important for accurate image display and processing.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( PAR \) — Pixel Aspect Ratio (dimensionless)
• \( W \) — Width of the pixel (in pixels)
• \( H \) — Height of the pixel (in pixels)

Explanation: The width is divided by the height to determine the shape of individual pixels.

3. Importance of Pixel Aspect Ratio

Details: Correct PAR ensures images display properly without distortion, especially important in video production, computer graphics, and digital imaging.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the pixel width and height in pixels. Both values must be > 0. The result shows the width:height ratio of individual pixels.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a PAR of 1 mean?
A: A PAR of 1 means the pixels are perfectly square (width = height).

Q2: When would I encounter non-square pixels?
A: Common in standard definition video (e.g., 0.9 for NTSC, 1.066 for PAL) and some digital imaging formats.

Q3: How does PAR differ from Display Aspect Ratio?
A: PAR refers to individual pixels, while Display Aspect Ratio refers to the entire image's width:height ratio.

Q4: What's the PAR for most modern displays?
A: Most modern digital displays use square pixels (PAR = 1.0).

Q5: Why is PAR important in video production?
A: Incorrect PAR can cause circles to appear as ovals or other distortions when converting between formats.