Skip to content

Golden-Ratio Candidate Crop Calculator

Calculate the largest whole-pixel golden-ratio candidate rectangle inside a source image, including exact edge exclusions and retained pixels.

Use this result well

Inputs that matter
Current source whole-pixel width/height and a landscape or portrait candidate orientation
Output to expect
Largest inscribed whole-pixel candidate rectangle, actual/target ratio, four edge offsets and retained/excluded pixel percentages
How it works
Use exact φ, inscribe the requested orientation inside the source, floor the constrained side to whole pixels, and split excluded pixels across a centered candidate
  • Treat the result as one geometric candidate; compare alternate positions against the brief, subject, protected content and delivery ratio before accepting an edit.
  • Keep the source non-destructive and record the accepted crop/version separately; this tool does not score composition, create a spiral overlay or certify output suitability.

Choose your path

Built around the job you need to finish

Calculate one auditable whole-pixel golden-ratio candidate rectangle and its exclusions without scoring composition or changing the source image.

Photographer comparing a delivery crop

See the maximum φ-oriented rectangle before moving the crop around the subject.

Enter the selected file version’s whole pixel dimensions and orientation, then inspect edge exclusions.

Gets a reproducible candidate while retaining visual placement and acceptance decisions.

Designer protecting text or product content

Know exactly which pixels a centered candidate would exclude.

Review four edge offsets and retained/excluded percentages against protected content.

Can reject or reposition the candidate without treating φ as a rule.

Print technician auditing versions

Keep candidate crop geometry separate from the accepted final export.

Save candidate outputs to the Project, then record the actual accepted crop/version before print sampling.

Avoids overwriting final pixel data or confusing a proposal with the delivered file.

Was this tool helpful?

Reference & details

How it works

Exact Target Ratio

The target uses φ = (1 + √5) / 2. Landscape uses width divided by height equal to φ; portrait uses width divided by height equal to 1/φ.

φ = (1 + √5) / 2; landscape W/H = φ; portrait W/H = 1/φ

Largest Inscribed Whole-Pixel Rectangle

The calculator preserves the full limiting side, floors the other side to a whole pixel, and never extends beyond the entered source. Whole-pixel rounding means the actual ratio can differ slightly from exact φ.

Constrained side = floor(limiting side × target ratio) or floor(limiting side ÷ target ratio)

Centered Candidate and Pixel Consequences

Any excluded width or height is split across opposite edges. When an odd pixel cannot split evenly, the right or bottom edge receives the remaining pixel. Retained and excluded percentages use source and candidate pixel area.

retained % = candidate pixel area ÷ source pixel area × 100

Updated: August 2026

Example Scenarios

Enter 4000 × 3000 pixels to record a 4000 × 2472 whole-pixel candidate, then inspect the top and bottom exclusions before moving the crop around important content.

Choose portrait orientation, review all four excluded edges, and compare alternate crop positions around eyes, hands, text, products, and required safe areas.

Save this candidate beside the selected file, but send only the actual accepted export dimensions to the print-sampling step after provider ratio, bleed, border, and proof requirements are known.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Treating the centered candidate as the accepted composition

Compare alternate positions and other aspect ratios against the subject, brief, protected content, and delivery requirements before choosing.

Overwriting final pixel dimensions with a proposal

Keep candidate dimensions separate from the accepted export. Preserve the source and record the actual approved crop version before print or delivery checks.

FAQ

The calculator cannot determine that. φ is one candidate aspect ratio; the subject, brief, delivery constraints, protected content, crop position, and acceptance owner decide whether it is useful.

Portrait rotates the target so height divided by width is φ. The output still uses whole pixels and reports its small difference from the exact target ratio.

The result reports left, right, top, and bottom exclusions plus retained and excluded pixel percentages. Whether that loss is acceptable depends on content and final output.

Digital crop dimensions are whole pixels. Flooring the constrained side keeps the rectangle inside the source, so the actual ratio can differ slightly; the calculator reports that difference.

No. It returns a centered candidate record only. Keep the source non-destructive, compare alternate positions in an editor, and save the accepted crop as a separate version.

About Golden-Ratio Candidate Crop Calculator

Use this calculator to create one auditable, centered rectangle whose width-to-height ratio is as close as whole pixels allow to φ or its portrait rotation. It reports geometry only. It does not decide subject placement, visual balance, delivery suitability, or which crop should be accepted.