Introduction
The Anamorphic Squeeze Calculator takes your sensor resolution, squeeze factor (1.33x, 1.5x, 1.8x, or 2x), and target delivery aspect ratio. It returns the captured frame dimensions, the desqueezed width, the final delivery frame after any letterbox or crop, the percentage of the desqueezed frame used in delivery, and the minimum delivery resolution. Use it before the shoot to confirm your camera and lens combination will clean up to your delivery specification.
What This Tool Calculates
Desqueezed width = captured width times squeeze factor. Desqueezed aspect ratio = desqueezed width / captured height. For delivery to a target ratio, if the desqueezed ratio is wider than the target, crop the height: delivery height = desqueezed width / target ratio. If narrower, crop the width. Worked example: 4096 x 3072 Open Gate sensor, 1.5x squeeze. Desqueezed width = 4096 x 1.5 = 6144px. Desqueezed ratio = 6144 / 3072 = 2.00:1. For 2.39:1 delivery: height = 6144 / 2.39 = 2570px. Final delivery: 6144 x 2570. Sensor use: 83.7%.
The Formula and How It Works
A period drama DP used 2x Lomo anamorphics on an ARRI ALEXA 35 (4096 x 3072 Open Gate). Desqueezed: 8192 x 3072 = 2.67:1. For 2.39:1 delivery, height crop = 8192 / 2.39 = 3427px — exceeding capture height. A small horizontal crop to 7342px resolved the issue cleanly at 2.39:1. An indie filmmaker shot Sony FX9 (6048 x 4032) with a 1.33x adapter: desqueezed 8044 x 4032 = 2.00:1, required 2.39:1 delivery height of 3366px, well above Netflix's 2160px minimum. A music video director on RED V-RAPTOR with 1.8x got a 3.41:1 desqueeze, wider than 2.39:1, requiring letterbox bars at top and bottom rather than any crop.
Real-World Examples
Desqueezed Ratios by Sensor and Squeeze Factor
Sensor ratio 4:3 (1.33:1): 1.33x squeeze gives 1.78:1 (16:9), 1.5x gives 2.00:1, 1.8x gives 2.40:1, 2x gives 2.67:1. Sensor ratio 3:2 (1.5:1): 1.33x gives 2.00:1, 1.5x gives 2.25:1, 2x gives 3.00:1. Sensor ratio 16:9 (1.78:1): 1.33x gives 2.37:1, 1.5x gives 2.67:1, 2x gives 3.56:1. The classic 2x anamorphic on a 4:3 Open Gate sensor gives 2.67:1 — the closest to theatrical 2.39:1 Scope with the least crop.
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Shoot Open Gate or the widest sensor mode when using anamorphic glass. | |
| The 4:3 ratio gives a 2x lens the classic 2.67:1 desqueeze with minimal crop to 2.39:1. | |
| For 1.33x on 16:9, the desqueeze is approximately 2.37:1 — nearly identical to Scope without significant DoF or brightness penalty. | |
| Always confirm your delivery spec requires a desqueezed file at 1:1 pixel aspect ratio. | |
| The most common mistake is shooting 16:9 with a 2x anamorphic — the 3.56:1 desqueeze produces enormous top-and-bottom crop that wastes sensor area and light collection.. |
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
Pro Tips
- Anamorphic capture math — squeeze, desqueeze, and delivery crop — needs to be right before day one, not discovered in the DIT tent.
- This tool confirms your combination cleans up to your delivery spec and that your resolution meets platform minimums, all before you sign the lens rental agreement..
Common Mistakes
Frequently Asked Questions
What sensor ratio works best with a 2x anamorphic for 2.39:1 delivery?
A 4:3 sensor ratio gives 2.67:1 desqueezed, requiring only a small height crop to reach 2.39:1 while using over 90% of the sensor. Most ARRI cameras in Open Gate mode offer native 4:3 capture specifically for this reason.
Can a 1.33x squeeze achieve a widescreen look?
Yes. A 1.33x squeeze on a standard 16:9 sensor gives approximately 2.37:1 — very close to 2.39:1 Scope — with oval bokeh and anamorphic horizontal flares without the extreme aspect ratio difference of a 2x lens.
What is the difference between squeeze and desqueeze?
Squeeze happens in the lens during capture, compressing the horizontal axis. Desqueeze happens in post or on the monitor, stretching the horizontal axis back out. Squeeze factor and desqueeze factor should always be the same number.
How do streaming platforms handle anamorphic deliveries?
Most platforms require a fully desqueezed file at delivery with a 1:1 pixel aspect ratio. Do not deliver a squeezed file with an embedded pixel aspect ratio flag. Confirm your platform delivery specification before rendering.
Start Calculating
Use the calculator above to run your numbers before your next production.
