TikTok can be a valuable marketing tool for brands. The video-based social media platform is known for its young audience and viral potential. Capturing an audience on TikTok can boost brand awareness and drive meaningful sales when you post shoppable videos.
Building a TikTok following requires a combination of creative energy and technical know-how; you’ll need to share engaging video content optimized for TikTok’s platform to stand out. Videos with the proper aspect ratio, resolution, and duration will look crisp and perform better on the app. Here’s how to get those details right.
What is the right TikTok video size?
Following best practices for video sizing can help your content succeed—video duration, dimension, file size, and resolution are all elements you should pay attention to. Here’s a complete guide:
Video dimensions
Video dimension refers to the shape of a video. Dimensions are typically expressed as a ratio of width to height, also known as an aspect ratio. TikTok videos can be vertical, square, and horizontal videos. Vertical videos are the most popular choice—these videos maximize display size on mobile devices. The ideal dimension for a vertical TikTok video is 9:16.
Video duration
TikTok videos have a maximum length of 60 minutes if you upload your video; if you record your video within the app, the maximum length is 10 minutes. Although the minimum length for videos is three seconds, the optimal duration is somewhere in the middle of those extremes. Shorter videos often use fast-paced, exciting editing techniques, which can help hold viewer attention and lead to higher watch times. The TikTok algorithm favors videos with high engagement, so you may have more success with short-form content.
According to data from Statista, the ideal TikTok video length varies depending on the size of your following. Reports suggest that accounts with more than 50,000 followers see the most engagement when they post videos of around 7.28 minutes long. Smaller accounts with less than 500 followers see more success with videos of around 2.6 minutes long. Don’t be afraid to post shorter videos, however. A separate study from Statista found that the average TikTok video post in 2023 was just over 38 seconds long.
File size
The maximum file size for TikTok videos depends on your operating system—iOS users can upload files as large as 287.6 megabytes while Android users can upload files up to 72 megabytes. If you use the web platform, videos can be up to one megabyte.
Video length, frame rate, and file type all contribute to the final file size. Additional elements, such as detailed graphics, can also increase the size of your file.
Video resolution
Resolution measures the number of pixels in each video frame, and high-resolution videos have more pixels. Resolution is directly connected to video quality—high-res videos appear crisp, clear, and sharp. Low-resolution videos, on the other hand, may look grainy or blurry and out of focus. Uploading a high-resolution TikTok video will make your account look professional and may boost content performance. TikTok recommends uploading HD videos for clarity and overall video quality. The ideal TikTok video resolution for a 9:16 video is 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels. The minimum resolution is 540 pixels by 960 pixels.
Portrait vs. landscape: Which is better?
Standard in-feed TikTok videos can be either portrait or landscape (vertical or horizontal) but portrait videos make up the majority of TikTok content. When choosing between these two formats, it’s important to consider how the audience will consume your content, considering:
- TikTok is primarily a mobile app. Most users watch videos on their phones. While landscape videos are the shape of a TV screen, vertical videos are the shape of a phone.
- Vertical video files have a larger display size on TikTok. When viewed on a smartphone, vertical videos take up the entire screen. Horizontal videos, on the other hand, are displayed in the center of the screen with blank spaces above and below.
- Phone screens are relatively small. Taking advantage of the entire screen with a vertical video will make it easier for viewers to see all of the details in your video and may make your content more eye-catching.
In general, it’s better to upload and post portrait-style videos over landscape-oriented videos.
What are the correct file formats for TikTok videos?
Standard in-feed TikTok posts can be one of two file formats: MP4 or MOV. When you use your iPhone to record videos, they save as MOV files. If you use an iPhone to record a video directly in the TikTok app, it will automatically be uploaded as an MOV. This video format is typically larger than an MP4 file—this is part of the reason TikTok allows iOS users to upload larger files than Android users.
If you use an online video editor or a professional tool to edit TikTok videos, you can select your desired video file types while exporting or downloading your video. Exporting your content as an MP4 may reduce the file size.
TikTok video ad specs
When it comes to video ads, TikTok supports several additional file types. The exact requirements depend on the type of ad you purchase. TikTok provides specs for each of its video ad formats. For example, in-feed ads, the standard TikTok ads that appear alongside organic content in a user’s For You feed, have certain size specifications.
- File type: They can be uploaded as MP4, MOV, MPEG, GIF, or AVI files.
- Aspect ratio: TikTok recommends a 9:16 aspect ratio and a minimum video resolution of 720 pixels by 1280 pixels.
- Display image: In-feed ads also require an ad display image or profile picture and a written ad description. Profile images are still pictures with a 1:1 (square) image format. These images can be uploaded as JPG or PNG files under 50 kilobytes.
- Ad description: Ad descriptions may be up to 100 characters long and cannot include special characters such as emojis.
- File size: The maximum file size for in-feed video ads is 500 megabytes.
TikTok video size FAQ
What is the TikTok video size ratio?
Video dimensions are measured as a ratio of width to height, also known as an aspect ratio. The ideal TikTok video dimensions are 9:16. Videos with a 9:16 aspect ratio are vertically oriented and optimized for mobile display.
What size video can you upload to TikTok?
The maximum file size for TikTok videos varies depending on the user’s operating system. You can upload videos up to 287.6 megabytes from iOS devices. The max file size for Android devices is 72 megabytes. If you use TikTok’s web platform, you can upload videos up to one gigabyte in size.
What is 9:16 in pixels?
The recommended resolution for a 9:16 TikTok video is 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels. Following these recommendations will ensure that your video displays clearly and isn’t pixelated.
