This document provides guidance on choosing the appropriate slide size for PowerPoint presentations, highlighting the differences between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. Specific recommendations are given based on the intended use of the content and the type of display equipment available. It also discusses adjustments needed when transitioning between different versions of PowerPoint and emphasizes planning for various presentation environments.

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What slide size should you use?
When PowerPoint 2013 came along, the size of the default presentation changed from 4:3 to 16:9.
What size should you use for your slides?
This is a quick guide to choosing the right size –and the difference between the sizes in different versions of PowerPoint.
10”
7.5”

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What slide size should I use for a presentation?

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It depends on what you are trying to create (and personal preference).
Here are some rough guidelines.

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Multi-purpose content that is going to be shown across different platforms ANDprinted.
4:3
+
=

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Highly visual content that is ONLYgoing to be shown.
4:3
=
16:9

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Content that is ONLYgoing to be saved/ printed as a slideument(4:3, letter or A4).
Letter
+
=

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Content for specific platforms that shows best in 4:3, such as Slideshareand iPads.
4:3
=

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Content for specific platforms that shows best in 16:9 such as YouTube and 16:9 screens.
=
4:3
16:9

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Content created in an environment where most current presentations and the main organizational template is 4:3.
4:3
=
4:3
4:3
4:3

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Content created for an environment where the other presentations are created in 16:9.
=
16:9
16:9
16:9
16:9

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4:3
16:9
+
If you are creating a presentation template for your organization –plan ahead and create both a 4:3 and a 16:9 template so users can use the appropriate one.

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Ohh, I can’t really choose!
I like my 4:3 slides AND I want to show them?

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Just be aware of what dimensions the projector supports and how your content might be affected.

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4:3-slides works for most old projectors BUT when projected on LCD screens, the slide will not fill the screen and you might have black bars on the sides of the slide...
HEADLINE

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… or the content will stretch and be distorted. Make sure you plan ahead and are familiar with the settings on the computer and the projector.
4:3

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So if I use 16:9 I’m always safe when showing my slides?

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It always depends on the projector in the room where you are presenting.

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16:9-slides works for new projectors, Plasma/LCD screens and widescreen projectors(most boardroom projectors show 16:9) but always check the aspect ratio in advance.
16:9

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What does 4:3 and 16:9 actually mean?

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“4:3” and “16:9” refers to the aspect ratio of the slide.
But the actual sizeof a slide with the same aspect ratio can differ.

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4:3
1
2
3
1
2
4
3
16:9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
A 4:3 slide is 33% wider than it is high.
A 16:9 slide is 78% wider than it is high.
9
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
16

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In PowerPoint 2013 a 16:9 slide has a different size compared to PowerPoint 2010.

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PowerPoint 2013
16:9
PowerPoint 2010
16:9
10”
5.63”
13.33”
7.5”
In metrics 25.4 x 14.29 cm
In metrics 33.867 x 19.05 cm

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What does the difference mean?

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If you had content on a 4:3 slide in PowerPoint 2010 and changed it to a 16:9 slide, everything had to be resized and repositioned.

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A 4:3slideon a PowerPoint 2010 16:9slide.
10”
5.63”

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In PowerPoint 2013, if you take your content from a 4:3 slide and move it to a 16:9 slide, the content will fit better on the slide, which means it is easier to change the size.

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A 4:3slideon a PowerPoint 2013 16:9slide.
7.5”
13.33”

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But –I still have PowerPoint 2010 –so I’m stuck with the “old” 16:9 size…

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Set custom size to 13.33” (width) and 7.5” (height) in the Slide Size menu inthe Design Tab.
Voila, you are working in the future!
In metrics 33,867 x 19,05 cm

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In sum –these are the relationships between the different PowerPoint sizes.
Standard 4:3 slide
10 x 7.5” 25,4 x 19,05 cm
PowerPoint 2013 and earlier
Old 16:9 slide
10x5.63” 25,4 x 14,29 cm
PowerPoint 2010, 2007 and earlier
New 16:9 slide 13.33 x 7.5”
33,867 x 19,05 cm
PowerPoint 2013
Graph inspired by Echo Swinfordwww.echosvoice.com

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4:3 slide
Old 16:9
New 16:9

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