TikTok Video Size, Dimensions and Length: The 2026 Guide

TikTok Video Size: Quick Answer

The best TikTok video size is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. That fills the whole screen on a phone. Export as MP4 with H.264 video at 30 frames per second, keep text away from the bottom and right side of the frame, and turn on high-quality uploads when you post.

TikTok Video Dimensions and Specifications

Resolution. 1080 x 1920 px is the sweet spot. TikTok accepts higher resolutions such as 4K, but it scales them down, so a larger file does not make the video sharper on the app.

Aspect ratio. 9:16 for full screen. Square and horizontal videos are accepted but appear with bars or are cropped.

File format. MP4 or MOV. H.264 video with AAC audio is the most compatible combination.

File size. Limits depend on how you upload. The mobile app has lower limits than the TikTok website, which accepts much larger files. If an upload fails, export a smaller file at 1080p rather than 4K.

Bitrate. Around 6 to 15 Mbps at 1080p is plenty. Very high bitrates do not survive TikTok's compression and only make uploads slower.

TikTok Aspect Ratio Explained

Aspect ratio is the shape of the frame. TikTok's native shape is 9:16: nine units wide for every sixteen units tall.

9:16 vertical fills the screen and gets the most attention.

1:1 square shows with empty space above and below.

16:9 horizontal shows as a small strip in the middle. TikTok may offer a full-screen or landscape viewing option, but most viewers will still see it small at first.

If you film horizontally, reframe the video to 9:16 in your editor before uploading so the subject stays centered and nothing important is cut off.

How Long Can TikTok Videos Be?

Recorded in the TikTok camera: up to 10 minutes, made of one or several clips.

Uploaded from your device: many accounts can upload videos up to 60 minutes long. The option is rolling out gradually, so some accounts may still see a 10-minute limit.

Shortest: just a few seconds. Very short loops can work well, because people often watch them more than once.

Long uploads are best for tutorials, podcasts and storytimes. For reach, most creators keep videos well under a minute and get to the point in the first few seconds.

TikTok Safe Zones

TikTok places your username, caption, music label and buttons on top of every video. Keep important text and faces out of these areas:

Bottom: roughly the last third of the frame holds the caption and sound name. Keep text above it.

Right side: the like, comment, save and share buttons run down the right edge. Leave at least 120 px clear on that side.

Top: keep about 130 to 160 px free for the Following and For You tabs.

Center your main subject and on-screen text, and check the preview before posting; TikTok shows the overlays so you can spot anything hidden.

Why Is My TikTok Video Low Quality After Upload?

1. Turn on high-quality uploads.

   On the post screen, open More options and turn on Allow high-quality uploads (the label can vary slightly by app version).

2. Upload the original file.

   Videos sent through messaging apps or downloaded from another platform are already compressed. Upload your original export.

3. Export at 1080 x 1920.

   Uploading 720p is upscaled and looks soft; 4K is compressed harder. 1080p gives the most predictable result.

4. Use a strong connection.

   Poor connections can lead to a lower-quality upload. Post on Wi-Fi when quality matters.

5. Turn off Data Saver.

   If Data Saver is on in Settings and privacy, videos may also play back at a lower quality on your phone.

6. Try uploading on a computer.

   Uploading at tiktok.com can handle larger, higher-quality files than the mobile app.

Best Export Settings for TikTok

In CapCut, Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, start the project at 9:16 so you do not have to crop later, and keep text inside the safe zones from the beginning.

TikTok Photo Posts and Other Formats

Photo posts and slideshows: use vertical images at 1080 x 1920 for full screen. Square or 4:5 images work too, with space around them.

Profile picture: uploaded as a square and shown as a circle, so keep your face or logo centered.

Stories: the same 1080 x 1920 vertical frame as normal videos.

Need to save a public TikTok? The ReelDown TikTok Downloader saves public videos as MP4, TikTok Photo Downloader saves slideshows and TikTok to MP3 saves the sound.

TikTok vs Instagram Reels vs YouTube Shorts Size

All three use the same vertical frame, so one 1080 x 1920 export can be posted everywhere. The main differences are length limits and where each app places its buttons. See our guide on how long Instagram Reels can be for Instagram's rules.