In one of our blog articles, we discussed how math (algebra and geometry) is used in web layout and web development. Now we’ve decided to talk about geometry in web design. But the topic is so broad and important that we’ll focus specifically on the golden ratio or golden proportions. This might seem like a math lesson, but... hold off on that thought — it's much more interesting. The golden ratio combines a bit of math, a bit of natural science, and a lot of practical application for designers. Let's take a look at what the golden ratio (ideal, harmonious) means for web design and how it can be used in design projects.
Without diving into theory or constantly calculating ideal proportions between columns, rows, objects, and so on, we’ll focus on the general principles that many web professionals use — often just by eye. And still, they manage to create some very impressive website designs.
Yes, there are modular grids, standardized long ago, and some people firmly believe that planning element placement isn’t complicated. But are these grids enough? How can the golden ratio theory help? Could modular grids be based on the same calculations? In reality, determining ideal proportions is another valuable tool in any design field — including web design.
The golden ratio has been used for centuries to help create structures and elements with visually ideal proportions. Simply put, shapes that appear perfect. Since the origins of form lie in nature and can be described mathematically, the golden ratio represents the ideal balance and harmony. It’s a powerful tool for crafting optimal designs. It’s even applied in typography — some projects focus entirely on calculating and selecting the perfect font sizes, line spacing, and more. But let’s take it step by step.
A Quick Look at Perfection
To put it simply, the golden ratio (also called the golden rectangle or golden mean) is a ratio of 1 to 1.618.
For a more technical explanation, refer to the article by Interaction Design Foundation (IDF), where it states:
Mathematically, the ratio is calculated as: a/b = (a+b)/a = phi = 1.618033987
Looking closely at different web and print designs, golden proportions are often less exact. Many designers round the number when creating grids to simplify the process.
In practice, this concept is often visualized using spirals, circles, or triangles — and it’s not just a designer gimmick. The golden ratio appears in nature (Nautilus shells, ammonite fossils), art (Mona Lisa), architecture (Eiffel Tower, Esders Trading House, the Parthenon), as well as interior and product design.
Web Design and the Golden Ratio
When it comes to applying golden proportions in web design, opinions vary.
As usual, the best approach lies somewhere in between. Most likely, your eye is already trained to create layouts that incorporate this theory — and it certainly won’t hurt your work to apply it intentionally. In other words, a designer often visualizes where elements, columns, text, and more will go. The structure is already mapped out mentally in a harmonious (or nearly harmonious) way.
However, the canvas (blank screen, empty document) can be the most difficult part when dealing with golden proportions. The challenge is that we don’t know the user's browser window size or how things will look when printed on various paper sizes.
Therefore, the goal is not to design an entire project based solely on the golden ratio, but rather to use it for specific elements that benefit from it — like logos, photo groupings, alignment of titles, or layout sections. Use it to build a base grid or create typographic hierarchy.
For instance, check out the Golden Ratio Typography Calculator (select a font and content size on the left, and view examples and tips on the right), and other useful resources that go into detail about this topic.
Templates and Tools
The idea of using math in design can feel intimidating — eyes glaze over, creativity vanishes. That’s why it's worth checking out a few handy tools, like the typography calculator mentioned above. But what else is useful?
Phiculator — enter any number and it calculates the golden ratio.
Golden Ratio Templates — three AI (Adobe Illustrator) files with rectangles, spirals, and curves. Click the image to download as a single file.
Golden Ratio Calculator — calculates ideal proportions among three values.
Golden Rectangle Calculator — determines rectangle dimensions based on one side. A golden rectangle with a longer side a and another side b creates a new larger rectangle with side a+b. Useful for grid design.
Recommendations
So how do you actually apply all this knowledge and these numbers in practice? Where do you plug them in? What exactly should you calculate? There’s no need to rework existing projects or recalculate everything in chaos. It's much simpler.
Use the golden ratio when building the base layout for your website — for example, between the main content area and a sidebar. According to W3Schools, the most common browser resolution at the beginning of 2018 was 1366 × 768 pixels. That translates into a content area of 846 pixels and a sidebar of 520 pixels. The height doesn't matter as much.
Additionally:
The logic is simple: the golden ratio means using proportions like 3/2, 5/3, 3/8, etc. In web design, uneven column splits should be based on this formula. In percentages, that’s about 62/38%.
Use golden rectangles to define spacing in your layout. Prototypr.io offers this advice: "Use larger squares (8, 13) to create layout structure. Use smaller ones (1, 2, 3) to determine padding and spacing."
Use the golden ratio to create consistent elements — like icons or logos. Creating a visually ideal and consistent element can lay the foundation for your whole project. The Caretta Logo Template includes downloadable examples and large previews.
Why the Golden Ratio Matters
Ultimately, the golden ratio is just a tool — one of many — that helps you craft something visually and emotionally effective. The theory exists whether or not you use it. What matters is that the web designer understands and appreciates its potential to create more usable, aesthetic designs.
Golden proportions are often present in focal points — the areas that draw user attention. Not the entire design, but key moments that bring balance, harmony, and scale, even if the designer isn’t consciously applying mathematical rules.
Now, without further explanation, let’s simply look at how golden ratios, proportions, and rectangles are applied in websites across different industries, styles, and layouts. You can test it yourself by downloading the templates above and overlaying them on screenshots of websites.
When it comes to logos and icons, we recommend our article on logo grids, which discusses the golden ratio and related ideas. It also features stunning works by Tom Anders Watkins.
Conclusion
And that’s the key to understanding how the golden ratio and golden proportions are used in web design. It’s not difficult — though calculations can sometimes help. Even if a designer doesn’t aim for mathematical perfection, their work can still feel balanced and beautiful. That’s because humans naturally perceive ideal proportions — it’s what we call “good taste” or “a designer’s eye.”
However, since web design is tightly bound to numeric screen sizes and browser dimensions, a bit of calculation is still essential. Use modular grids and place elements within columns and rows. With a few basic tips and dimensions, you can create something truly harmonious.
Nature has given us a lot — and humanity's development depends on it. So why not use it in web design? Buildings and paintings are made based on natural laws described mathematically — and creating websites is both a creative and technical pursuit.