What does “ratio” mean on TikTok?

The word “ratio” may call middle school math class to mind, but what does it mean when “ratio” appears in the comment section on TikTok? Don’t worry: it doesn’t require you to relearn math.

“Ratio” is a term used on social media apps like TikTok and Twitter when the majority of viewers disagree with an opinion. “Ratioing” is a way of disliking a comment or post in the absence of a “dislike” button or “downvoting” function on the app. It may sound confusing, but once you have a handle on this TikTok terminology, you’ll be earning “ratio Ws” in no time (more on that below).

Get ready to add another word to your social media dictionary. Let’s answer the question, “What does ‘ratio’ mean on TikTok?”

What is a TikTok ratio?

When people want to disagree with a comment on TikTok, they give the comment a thumbs-down, but the app doesn’t display the number of downvotes. So TikTok users have taken matters into their own hands with ratios. Hang on – we’ll explain.

Ratioing actually started on Twitter. When a user is “ratio-ed” on Twitter, it means their Tweet has more replies than likes and retweets. In other words, the comment section performs better than the original content, suggesting more people disagree with the Tweet than support it.

Ratioing on TikTok can mean a few different things:

• If a video has more comments than likes, this is likely because the majority of viewers don’t agree with its content – meaning it’s been “ratioed.”
• If a comment challenging a TikTok’s content has more likes than the video itself, it’s a ratio. For example, let’s say a video claiming Hawaiian pizza has the best topping combo has 1,000 likes. If its top comment says “Hawaiian pizza is gross” and it has 10,000 likes, the people have spoken. Sometimes people will simply comment “ratio” to signal they disagree and rack up likes that way.
• If a reply to a comment has more likes than the original comment, the commenter has been ratioed. Like the above example, the reply may be a counterpoint or the word “ratio.”

What do “ratio L” and “W” mean on TikTok?

In the comments of ratioed posts, you’ll likely see “Ls” or “Ws.” But what does this mean? These letters are used to signal whose opinion was more popular. They’re a play on the slang “taking an L” or “taking a W,” referring to losing and winning, respectively.

For example, when the like count on a “ratio” comment surpasses the number of likes on the original comment, the “ratio-er” and other commenters will drop a “W” in the replies to show they’ve won the debate, or ratioed, the original poster. If a video has twice as many comments disagreeing with the original poster as it has likes, the comment section will likely be full of users pointing out that the post is a “ratio L.”

Are TikTok ratios bad?

TikTok ratios may not always be well-intended, but they often help people disagree. And disagreeing isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Perhaps the ratio is innocuous or not serious, like two super-fans arguing over who will win an upcoming football game. In other cases, the ratio might relate to a harmful or contentious original comment. When this happens, the ratio flags an inappropriate post and shows viewers that the majority of people disagree with the original poster's bad take.

But can a TikTok ratio be bad? Yes. Commenters can use ratios to upset the original poster. Mean-spirited people can manipulate this trend to put others down. Some people start these threads to annoy or make fun of TikTokers, while others may use them to highlight a harmful opinion. And if a “ratio” disputes a kind comment, it’s undoubtedly a problematic response.

It’s important to be thoughtful when interacting with others online. When liking “ratio” comments or making comments of your own, ask yourself if it’s intended to hurt someone’s feelings. If the answer is yes, don’t participate.

How can you tell you’ve been ratioed?

If you’ve been ratioed, your opinion is less popular than someone else’s.

There is no formal notification for being ratioed – you have to compare the number of likes on your original post against the likes on a “ratio” comment (or the total number of likes on your post to the number of comments). If your post has fewer likes than comments or fewer likes than a contrasting “ratio” comment, you’ve been ratioed. As promised, no dusting off middle school math – counting is the most complex math you’ll have to do.

If your content has been ratioed, don’t despair. Remember: Just because your take is less popular doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value. Don’t let the haters get to you – chin up!

What is a TikTok ratio request?

When users write “ratio 1:1” or “ratio me 1:1” in the comment section of a video, they’re trying to stir up engagement.

Asking for a 1:1 ratio means the commenter wants the number of likes on their comment to match the number of likes on the video. The commenter could be the person who posted the video or an excited viewer. Why would someone ask for a 1:1 ratio? The more likes on comments under the video, the more it's favored by TikTok’s algorithm. Encouraging likes will help the video increase in views.

Best practices for using TikTok

TikTok is more than a social media app for lipsyncing and dance challenges. It’s also a marketing platform to grow your personal or brand image and a hub for making connections – so you should always put your best foot forward.

If you have to wonder whether a trend is bad or unkind, stay away from it. Use the power of ratios for good, and think twice before liking someone else’s comment.

While you’re trying to be your best self on TikTok, here are some other tips to make your presence shine:

• Write a banging bio: Don’t sleep on this precious piece of social media real estate. You may not have many characters to describe yourself in your TikTok bio, but emojis can do some of the work. Plus, you can (and should) add a link in your bio so viewers can learn more about your presence on the web. To link out to multiple URLs – like other social profiles and a personal website – try a Linktree.
• Use secret emoji codes: Show off your commenting skills using TikTok’s hidden emojis. They’re bigger and more expressive.
• Post at the right time: If you aim to make money on TikTok, post when your followers are most active. This is the best time to engage with viewers and maximize engagement.
• Stay up on TikTok lingo: “FYP,” anyone? Learn the latest terms so you can comment in a way only true TikTok fans will understand.

Build on your brand

Learning the ins and outs of TikTok – and its lingo – is a great way to level up your presence on the app. But what about the rest of your social media?

Once you find success on TikTok, you can leverage your viewership to grow your follower count on other platforms. Adding a Linktree to your TikTok bio allows you to show off the rest of your digital presence. You can link out to other platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and a personal website, all in one place.