description: Use generated psuedo elements to make an element maintain the aspect ratio of your choosing. Perfect for responsively handling video or slideshow embeds based on the width of the parent.
group: helpers
toc: true
---
## About
Rules are directly applied to `<iframe>`, `<embed>`, `<video>`, and `<object>` elements. You can also use an explicit use an explicit descendant class, `.ratio-item`, when you want to match the styling for other attributes. Aspect ratios are declared in a Sass map and included in each class via CSS variable, which also allows [custom aspect ratios](#custom-ratios).
{{<calloutinfo>}}
**Pro-Tip!** You don't need `frameborder="0"` on your `<iframe>`s as we override that for you in [Reboot]({{< docsref "/content/reboot" >}}).
{{</callout>}}
## Example
Wrap any embed, like an `<iframe>`, in a parent element with `.ratio` and an aspect ratio class. As mentioned above, the `.ratio-item` isn't strictly required, but we encourage it.
Each `.ratio-*` class includes a CSS custom property (or CSS variable) in the selector. You can override this CSS variable to create custom aspect ratios on the fly with some quick math on your part.
For example, to create a 2x1 aspect ratio, set `--aspect-ratio: 50%` on the `.ratio`.
This CSS variable makes it easy to modify the aspect ratio across breakpoints. The following is 4x3 to start, but changes to a custom 2x1 at the medium breakpoint.
Within `_variables.scss`, you can change the aspect ratios you want to use. Here's our default `$ratio-aspect-ratios` map. Modify the map as you like and recompile your Sass to put them to use.