Video Size and Specs for TikTok, Reels and Shorts (2026)
Resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate, file type and length to export for TikTok, Reels and Shorts in one table, plus caption safe zones.
By the Capsubs team · Updated · 2 min read
Export TikToks, Reels and Shorts as vertical 9:16 video at 1080×1920, 30 fps (or up to 60 fps), MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio; that one file works on all three platforms. Keep captions and text inside the safe zone (roughly 290 px from the top and 670 px from the bottom) so the apps' buttons don't cover them.
Specs at a glance
| TikTok | Instagram Reels | YouTube Shorts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (also accepts 1:1, 16:9) | 9:16 | 9:16 or square |
| Recommended resolution | 1080×1920 | 1080×1920 (Meta ads suggest 1440×2560) | 1080×1920 |
| Minimum resolution | 540×960 (ads spec) | 720 px | Not stated |
| Frame rate | Up to 60 fps | 30 fps minimum, up to 60 | Same as recorded |
| File types | MP4, MOV, WebM | MP4, MOV | MP4, MOV, WebM and more |
| Max length | 10 min in app, 60 min uploaded | 3 min in app; up to 20 min uploads rolling out | 3 min |
Sources: TikTok Support and Content Posting API docs, Instagram Help Centre and Graph API docs, YouTube Help. Details change; check the platform before a big campaign.
Why 1080×1920 is enough
All three apps display vertical video at 1080p on phones. Uploading 4K doesn't make the video look better in the feed; it just takes longer to upload. Capsubs exports captioned videos at up to 1080p for this reason, and scales down 4K phone footage before adding captions.
Codecs and settings that upload cleanly
- Video: H.264, high profile, variable bitrate around 8–16 Mbps for 1080p.
- Audio: AAC, 44.1 or 48 kHz, 128 kbps or higher.
- Color: standard dynamic range (SDR). HDR footage from iPhones can look washed out after upload; tone-map it to SDR. Capsubs does this automatically.
- Frame rate: keep the frame rate you shot at (24, 30 or 60).
Safe zones for captions and text
| Platform | Top | Bottom | Left | Right |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 240 px | 660 px | 120 px | 120–300 px |
| Reels | 269 px | 672 px | 65 px | 65 px |
| Shorts | 288 px | 672 px | 48 px | 192 px |
Full guide: caption safe zones. To check a frame of your own video, use the free safe zone checker.
Horizontal video in vertical feeds
You can post 16:9 video, but it'll show with bars or blur above and below and use far less of the screen. If you must, put captions inside the picture near its lower edge. Capsubs captions horizontal videos at their own 16:9 shape.
FAQ
What's the best export setting for TikTok? 1080×1920, 30 fps, H.264 MP4, AAC audio.
Should I upload in 4K? It doesn't hurt, but it won't look sharper in the feed and takes longer. 1080p is the practical choice.
How long can each be? See length limits for TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
Caption your next video in a minute
Upload a TikTok, Reel or Short, pick a style and get it back with word-by-word captions burned in. Free to start, no watermark.