# What is reframing in video?

> Reframing changes a video's shape, such as 16:9 to 9:16, and keeps the subject in view. See a worked crop example and the tools that do it.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-08
- **Category**: Video editing
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/reframing

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Reframing changes a video's shape, such as 16:9 to 9:16, and moves the crop so the subject stays in view. Auto reframe tools do the crop and the following for you.

## A worked example

Say you have a 1,920 x 1,080 landscape clip and want 9:16 for Reels. You keep the full height of 1,080 pixels.

- Width of the 9:16 crop: 1,080 x 9 / 16 = **607.5 pixels**, about 608.
- Share of the picture kept: 607.5 / 1,920 = about **32%**.
- To reach 1,080 pixels wide, the crop is enlarged 1,080 / 607.5 = about **1.78 times**.

So reframing throws away two thirds of the picture, and the crop gets enlarged. A sharp source helps. The subject must also stay inside the kept part.

## Tools that reframe

| Tool | Feature | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere Pro | Sequence > Auto Reframe Sequence | Makes a new sequence. Motion tracking: Slower, Default or Faster |
| Final Cut Pro | Modify > Smart Conform | Reframes selected clips on Mac |
| DaVinci Resolve | Smart Reframe | Studio edition only |
| CapCut | Auto reframe on desktop | Described as available in specific regions |

Premiere Pro is now called Adobe Premiere. Features are from the makers' help pages (checked 3 Nov 2026). CapCut is not officially available in India: it is not on the Indian App Store, and its pricing page shows no plans to visitors from India (checked 3 Nov 2026).

Marxx's [AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) reframes for another placement with one request. Projects can be 9:16, 1:1, 16:9 or 4:3. We make Marxx.

For the finished ad, see [how to make Reels ads](/guides/how-to-make-reels-ads). Tools are compared in [the best video resizers for Instagram](/best/best-video-resizers-for-instagram).

## Which shape for which ad

Meta's guide lists 9:16 for Reels and Stories and 4:5 for Facebook Feed. See [9:16 vs 4:5 video ads](/compare/9-16-vs-4-5-video-ads).

## FAQ

### Is reframing the same as resizing?

No. Resizing scales the whole picture. Reframing crops it and picks which part to keep.

### Does reframing lower quality?

It can. A crop is enlarged to fill the new frame, so start from the sharpest source you have.

### Should I shoot for 9:16 instead?

If you know the ad is vertical, yes. Then you do not throw away two thirds of the frame.

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