Golden ratio
The golden ratio is the numerical relationship of approximately 1.618 to 1, represented by the Greek letter φ (phi), used as a proportional reference in art, architecture and design
What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.
What it is and how it works
It is obtained by dividing a line into two parts so that the ratio of the whole to the larger part equals the ratio of the larger part to the smaller one. It is related to the Fibonacci sequence and appears in the geometry of shapes such as the regular pentagon.
In design it is used to set grids, column proportions or type scales: for instance, with 12-point body text, multiplying by 1.618 gives about 19 points for headings. It is a useful tool for consistent decisions, but not a guarantee of beauty: many claims about its presence in classical works or in nature are disputed, and other proportions work just as well.
Also known as
golden mean, golden section, divine proportion, phi
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