How to use it
- Choose which length you know: the total, the longer part or the shorter part.
- Enter it, in any unit.
- Read the other two lengths in the same unit.
Formulas
With φ = (1 + √5) / 2 ≈ 1.6180339887 and φ² = φ + 1 ≈ 2.618:
- from the total T: longer = T / φ, shorter = T / φ²
- from the longer part a: shorter = a / φ, total = a × φ
- from the shorter part b: longer = b × φ, total = b × φ²
Worked example
A 1200 px wide layout split by the golden ratio: the main column is 1200 / 1.618034 = 741.6 px and the sidebar 458.4 px. Check: 741.6 / 458.4 ≈ 1.618.
Tips
- 61.8 % and 38.2 % are the same split expressed as percentages of the total.
- For a quick estimate, multiply by 0.618 for the longer part and by 0.382 for the shorter.