Up-to-Date Social Media Video Sizes and Specs for Every Platform in 2025

Video content rules social media right now. But to make your videos look sharp and perform well, you need to use the correct sizes and specs for each platform. Every network has its own rules – from aspect ratios to file limits – and keeping up can be tricky.

That’s why we’ve pulled everything together in one clear, updated guide. Here, you’ll find all the social media video sizes and specs for 2025, so your content looks its best everywhere it’s shared.

If you haven’t already, you can also check out our Social Media Image Sizes Guide to keep your visuals consistent across the board.

Facebook Video Specs

Facebook might not be the first place people think of for video anymore, but it still plays a huge role in social media marketing. Videos on Facebook appear directly in the feed and can be shared by friends, followers, and pages – giving your content the chance to reach a wide audience.

In mid-2025, Facebook officially renamed its Videos tab to “Reels”, aligning the platform more closely with Instagram’s short-form format. Still, traditional video posts and Reels behave slightly differently, so it’s worth testing both when you publish.

Facebook Video Guidelines

For standard Facebook feed videos, here’s what you should aim for:

• Recommended resolution: 1280 × 720 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Maximum file size: 10 GB
• Video formats: MP4, MOV
• Length: 1 second to 240 minutes
• Bitrate: 256 kbps
• Frame rate: 30 fps

Pro Tip: Horizontal videos (16:9) still work well for longer content or tutorials, but vertical videos generally perform better on mobile feeds.

Facebook Reels

Reels have taken center stage on Facebook, giving creators and brands a simple way to reach new audiences, especially when cross-posting from Instagram. They appear naturally in feeds and often get more visibility than regular posts.

• Recommended resolution: 1080 × 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Maximum file size: No limit currently specified
• Video format: MP4
• Length: 3 seconds to 90 seconds
• Frame rate: 24–60 fps

Pro Tip: Keep Reels short, engaging, and mobile-friendly. Text and key visuals should stay within the safe central area to avoid being covered by interface buttons or captions.

Facebook Stories

Just like Instagram Stories, Facebook Stories are a great way to reach more people, especially those who may not follow you on Instagram. They appear at the top of users’ feeds, making them perfect for quick, engaging, and time-sensitive content.

Facebook Stories Video Guidelines:

• Recommended resolution: 1440 × 2560 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Minimum width: 250 pixels
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Length: 1 to 60 seconds
• Formats: MP4, MOV
• Frame rate: 30 fps

Pro Tip: Keep your stories short and visually bold. Avoid placing text or logos too close to the top or bottom to prevent them from being cut off by interface elements.

Facebook Live

Facebook Live lets you connect with your audience in real time, making them perfect for Q&A sessions, product demos, or event coverage. While Facebook automatically optimizes live streams, following these specs ensures smoother playback and better video quality.

Facebook Live Video Guidelines:

• Recommended resolution: 1280 × 720 pixels
• Maximum resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Maximum length: 8 hours
• Maximum frame rate: 60 fps
• Supported formats: Depends on your streaming tool (MP4 and MOV are most common)

Facebook 360 Video

360° videos bring a completely immersive experience to Facebook. Viewers can explore every angle by dragging, swiping, or tilting their screens, making this format ideal for travel, real estate, or behind-the-scenes footage.

Facebook 360 Video Guidelines:

• Maximum dimensions:
  • 5120 × 2560 pixels (monoscopic)
  • 5120 × 5120 pixels (stereoscopic)
• Aspect ratios:
  • 2:1 (monoscopic)
  • 1:1 (stereoscopic)
• File format: MP4 or MOV
• Maximum size: 10 GB
• Length: Up to 30 minutes
• Recommended frame rate: 30 fps

Pro Tip: If your camera doesn’t automatically include 360 metadata, use Facebook’s built-in “360 controls” during upload to correctly format the video. This ensures it displays properly in the interactive 360° viewer.

Facebook Video Ad Specs

With more than 10 million advertisers active on Facebook, getting your ad visuals right can be the difference between a scroll-past and a conversion. Every Facebook ad format comes with its own video requirements, so it’s worth knowing exactly what works best for each one.

Facebook In-Feed Video Ads

In-Feed video ads are the sponsored cousins of regular Facebook posts. They blend naturally into users’ feeds, which makes them feel more organic and less intrusive – as long as they’re formatted correctly.

Recommended Specs:

• Aspect ratio: 4:5
• Minimum resolution: 1080 × 1080 pixels
• Minimum width: 120 pixels
• Minimum height: 120 pixels
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Video length: 1 second to 241 minutes
• Formats: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Captions and sound: Both recommended

Text Limits:

• Primary text: 80 characters
• Headline: 25 characters
• Description: 25 characters

Pro Tip: Keep your message short and visuals engaging in the first few seconds – that’s all it takes for most users to decide whether to keep watching.

Facebook Carousel Video Ads

Carousel video ads let you tell a story using multiple videos (or images) in a single post. They allow users to swipe through different products or visuals — a feature that’s been found to perform up to 10x better than traditional ad formats.

Recommended Specs:

• Number of carousel cards: 2–10
• Minimum resolution: 1080 × 1080 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 1:1 or 4:5
• Maximum file size (video carousel): 4 GB
• Video formats: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Video length: 1 second to 240 minutes

Text Limits:

• Primary text: 80 characters
• Headline: 45 characters
• Description: 18 characters
• Landing page URL: Required

Facebook Collection Video Ads

Collection ads combine a main video with multiple product images below — creating a mini storefront experience. They open into Instant Experiences, which are full-screen landing pages that help viewers browse, explore, or shop directly within Facebook.

Recommended Specs:

• Minimum resolution: 1080 × 1080 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 1:1 or 9:16
• Maximum file size: 4 GB (video) / 30 MB (images)
• Video formats: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Instant Experience: Required

Text Limits:

• Primary text: 125 characters
• Headline: Up to 40 characters
• Landing page URL: Required

Facebook Stories Ads

Facebook Stories Ads appear between users’ organic Stories and offer a quick, full-screen way to connect with your audience. Since Stories disappear after 24 hours, they’re great for limited-time offers or product launches.

Recommended Specs:

• Resolution: 1440 × 2560 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• Minimum width: 250 pixels
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Video length: 1 second to 2 minutes
• Formats: MP4, MPV, or GIF
• Frame rate: 30 fps

Text Limits:

• Primary text: 125 characters
• Headline: 40 characters

Pro Tip: Keep your visuals clear and text minimal. Stories move fast, so grab attention immediately and make your message easy to absorb in seconds.

 

Instagram Video Specs

Instagram has come a long way since adding video in 2013. What started as short clips has now grown into a mix of Reels, Stories, and feed videos that dominate the platform. For brands, creators, and marketers, video on Instagram isn’t just an option anymore – it’s essential.

So, let’s help you get the required specs right.

In-Feed Landscape Video

Landscape videos work well for cinematic shots or horizontal footage you want to repurpose from other platforms like YouTube. They fit best when you want a wide, full-frame view that feels polished and professional.

• Recommended resolution: 1080 × 1080 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Formats: MP4 or MOV
• Maximum length: 120 seconds
• Frame rate: 23–60 fps
• Recommended caption length: 125 characters

Pro Tip: Landscape videos perform best when they’re filmed with intention – don’t just crop a horizontal video to fit. Keep your subject centered and text large enough to read on mobile screens.

In-Feed Square Video

Square videos are the most versatile format for Instagram. They look good across devices and give your content equal space on the feed, making them a safe choice for most types of posts.

• Recommended resolution: 1080 × 1080 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 1:1
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Formats: MP4 or MOV
• Maximum length: 120 seconds
• Frame rate: 23–60 fps
• Recommended caption length: 125 characters

Pro Tip: Keep your visuals simple and centered. Square videos leave less room on the sides, so make sure key elements are easy to see.

In-Feed Vertical Video

Vertical videos have become the go-to choice for Instagram since most users scroll on mobile. They take up more screen space, naturally drawing more attention as people swipe through their feeds.

• Recommended resolution: 1080 × 1080 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 4:5
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Formats: MP4 or MOV
• Maximum length: 120 seconds
• Frame rate: 23–60 fps
• Recommended caption length: 125 characters

Instagram Reels

Introduced in 2020, Instagram Reels have quickly become one of the most popular ways to reach and engage audiences. These short, vertical videos are designed for quick consumption. They are fun, creative, and easy to share.

One thing to note: Instagram crops Reels thumbnails differently depending on where they’re displayed. In your main feed, they’ll appear as traditional square previews (4:5). To avoid awkward cropping, keep your subject centered and avoid placing text too close to the top or bottom.

Instagram Reels Video Specs:

• Minimum resolution: 1440 × 2560 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Minimum width: 250 pixels
• Length:
  • Up to 3 minutes when recording in-app
  • Up to 15 minutes when uploading pre-recorded Reels
• Formats: MP4 or MOV
• Captions: Optional, but highly recommended
• Sound: Strongly recommended
• Frame rate: 23–60 fps

Pro Tip: Keep your Reels dynamic. Open with a strong hook, use captions for clarity, and match visuals to trending sounds for better reach.

Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are short, full-screen videos that disappear after 24 hours – perfect for updates, polls, and authentic behind-the-scenes moments. They appear at the top of users’ feeds, giving them prime visibility and encouraging regular engagement with your brand.

Instagram Stories Video Specs:

• Minimum resolution: 1440 × 1800 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 4:5
• Minimum width: 250 pixels
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Length: 1 second to 60 minutes
• Formats: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Captions: Recommended
• Sound: Recommended

Pro Tip: Leave about 250 pixels at the top free from text or graphics. That’s where your profile icon appears, and you don’t want to block key information.

Instagram Carousel Video

Since 2015, Instagram Carousel posts have allowed users to share multiple photos or videos in one post – and the feature remains one of the best ways to tell stories, showcase products, or share a sequence of visuals.

While Instagram has retired older formats like IGTV, Carousels continue to be a core content type, letting creators mix images and videos seamlessly.

Instagram Carousel Video Guidelines:

• Resolution: 1080 × 1080 or 1080 × 1350 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Formats: MP4 or MOV
• Video length: 3 seconds to 60 minutes
• Frame rate: 23–60 fps

Instagram Video Ad Specs

Instagram has become one of the biggest drivers of video ad revenue, bringing in over $43 billion in 2022 alone. With billions of active users, the platform gives marketers a massive opportunity, but only if videos are formatted correctly and optimized for attention.

Instagram Feed Video Ads

Feed video ads look just like regular Instagram posts – except they’re sponsored. They blend naturally into the feed and are ideal for reaching people as they scroll through content.

Instagram Feed Video Ad Specs:

• Minimum resolution: 1440 × 1880 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 4:5
• Minimum width: 250 pixels
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Video length: 1 second to 60 minutes
• Formats: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Captions: Optional but recommended
• Sound: Optional but recommended

Character Limits:

• Primary text: 125 characters
• Hashtags: Up to 30

Pro Tip: Make your first three seconds count. Instagram users scroll fast, so grab attention early with movement, text overlays, or bold visuals.

Instagram Carousel Video Ads

Carousel video ads work like an interactive story – viewers can swipe through multiple videos or images, each with its own caption or call-to-action. This format is great for showing product ranges, tutorials, or multi-step stories.

Instagram Carousel Ad Guidelines:

• Minimum resolution: 1080 × 1080 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 1:1 or 4:5
• Maximum file size: 4 GB (video) / 30 MB (image)
• Video length: 1 second to 2 minutes
• Formats: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Number of carousel cards: 2-10
• Frame rate: 23-60 fps

Character Limits:

• Primary text: 125 characters
• Hashtags: Up to 30
• Landing page URL: Required

Instagram Stories Ads

Instagram Stories Ads appear between organic Stories, giving brands a full-screen opportunity to connect with their audience in a way that feels natural and personal.

Instagram Stories Ad Specs:

• Minimum resolution: 1440 × 1800 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 4:5
• Minimum width: 250 pixels
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Video length: 1 second to 60 minutes
• Formats: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Captions: Recommended
• Sound: Recommended

Character Limits:

• Primary text: 125 characters
• Hashtags: Up to 30

Pro Tip: Leave around 250 pixels at the top of your video clear of text or logos. It’s the spot you will be having your profile icon. Keep your message quick, clean, and visual.

Instagram Reels Ads

Reels Ads are Instagram’s most immersive ad format. They appear between organic Reels, blending naturally into the feed while reaching users who are actively looking for new content.

Instagram Reels Ad Specs:

• Minimum resolution: 1440 × 2560 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Minimum width: 250 pixels
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Video length: 0 seconds to 15 minutes
• Formats: MP4 or MOV
• Captions: Optional but recommended
• Sound: Strongly recommended

 

YouTube Video Specs

YouTube remains the world’s video powerhouse, and getting your video sizes right is key to making your content look professional and perform well here. Whether you’re uploading Shorts, long-form videos, or running ads, the right specs help you avoid blurry visuals, black bars, or awkward cropping.

YouTube Video Player

Most YouTube videos use the standard 16:9 aspect ratio, which fills the screen perfectly on both desktop and mobile. While you can upload in other ratios like 4:3, YouTube automatically adjusts videos (adding black bars on the sides) to make them fit within the player.

Here are the recommended dimensions for standard YouTube uploads:

Video Guidelines for Non-Verified Accounts:

• Resolution options:
  • 4320p (8K): 7680 × 4320
  • 2160p (4K): 3840 × 2160
  • 1440p (2K): 2560 × 1440
  • 1080p (HD): 1920 × 1080
  • 720p (HD): 1280 × 720
  • 480p (SD): 854 × 480
  • 360p (SD): 640 × 360
  • 240p (SD): 426 × 240
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (default)
• Maximum file size: 5 GB
• Formats: MOV, MP4, MPEG, AVI, WMV, FLV, WebM, and others
• Video length: Up to 15 minutes
• Frame rate: 24, 25, or 30 fps

Video Guidelines for Verified Accounts:

• Same resolutions and aspect ratio as above
• Maximum file size: 256 GB or 12 hours (whichever is smaller)
• Formats: MOV, MP4, MPEG, AVI, WMV, FLV, WebM, ProRes, DNxHR, CineForm, HEVC (h265)
• Video length: Up to 12 hours
• Frame rate: 24, 25, or 30 fps

YouTube Shorts

Launched in late 2020, YouTube Shorts are the platform’s answer to TikTok and Reels. They are short, vertical videos made for quick viewing – great for boosting reach and connecting with audiences who prefer bite-sized content.

YouTube Shorts Video Guidelines:

• Resolution options:
  • 4320p (8K): 4320 × 7680
  • 2160p (4K): 2160 × 3840
  • 1440p (2K): 1440 × 2560
  • 1080p (HD): 1080 × 1920
  • 720p (HD): 720 × 1280
  • 480p (SD): 480 × 854
  • 360p (SD): 360 × 640
  • 240p (SD): 240 × 426
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical) or 1:1 (square)
• Formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, WebM, ProRes, HEVC (h265)
• Video length: Up to 60 seconds

Pro Tip: Always shoot vertically and keep your subject centered. Shorts that hook viewers in the first two seconds tend to perform best.

YouTube Video Ads

YouTube ads use the same base video specs as regular uploads, but the format and length vary depending on the ad type. Here are the four main ad formats and their guidelines:

• Skippable Ads: Can be up to 12 hours long, but viewers can skip after 5 seconds.
• Unskippable Ads: Typically, 15 to 20 seconds, depending on the region.
• Bumper Ads: Maximum length is 6 seconds – ideal for quick, memorable messages.
• Mid-Roll Ads: Appear in videos longer than 8 minutes.

Pro Tip: Even if your ad can run longer, keep it short and focused. The first few seconds should clearly communicate your message – most viewers decide whether to skip almost instantly.

 

TikTok Video Specs

TikTok has completely changed the game when it comes to social video. What started as a short-form lip-sync app has now become one of the most powerful platforms for brands and creators to connect through authentic, engaging video content. The best part is that you don’t even need a fancy camera to get on board – just your phone and a bit of creativity is all that you need.

TikTok In-Feed Videos

TikTok’s strength lies in its simplicity. The app is designed for quick video creation, easy editing, and instant sharing. And this is what makes it perfect for spontaneous, real-time content. Here is the right TikTok video to stick to ensure your video looks great on every screen.

TikTok In-Feed Video Guidelines:

• Resolution: 1080 × 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Maximum file size: 72 MB (Android) or 278.6 MB (iOS)
• Formats: MP4 or MOV
• Length: Up to 3 minutes when recorded in-app, or 10 minutes if uploaded externally
• Frame rate: 23-60 fps

TikTok In-Feed Ads

TikTok’s In-Feed Ads appear naturally between user videos, blending in with organic content while still delivering strong brand messages. Because they look and feel like regular TikToks, well-formatted, creative videos perform best here.

TikTok In-Feed Ad Guidelines:

• Resolution: 540 × 960, 640 × 640, or 960 × 540 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (recommended), 1:1, or 16:9
• Maximum file size: Up to 500 MB
• Formats: MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, or AVI
• Video length: 5-60 seconds
• Bitrate: Minimum 516 kbps
• Frame rate: 23-60 fps

Pro Tip: Use captions, trending sounds, and strong visuals early. The most effective TikTok ads feel native – they don’t scream “ad,” they entertain first.

 

LinkedIn Video Specs

Videos on LinkedIn get three times more engagement than text-only posts. That means if you want to grab attention, start conversations, or build credibility, video is the way to go. And yes, the algorithm loves it too.

LinkedIn Video Sizes

LinkedIn supports a wide range of video formats and dimensions, giving marketers flexibility to post everything from quick updates to polished campaign clips. But to make sure your videos look their best, it’s important to upload them in the right specs.

LinkedIn Video Guidelines:

• Resolution: Minimum 256 × 144 pixels, Maximum 4096 × 2304 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 1:2.4 to 2.4:1
• Maximum file size: 5 GB
• Formats supported: AAC, MP4, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-4, FLV, ASF, MKV, WebM, H.264/AVC, VP8, VP9, WMV2, WMV3
• Video length: Up to 10 minutes
• Frame rate: Up to 60 fps
• Bitrate: Up to 30 Mbps

Pro Tip: Keep your videos clear and well-lit. LinkedIn is a professional space – polished, authentic visuals perform far better than flashy edits or filters.

LinkedIn Video Ads

Since 2018, LinkedIn has offered video ads, and they’ve quickly become one of the most effective ways to reach decision-makers and professionals directly in their feed. These videos autoplay without sound, so make sure your visuals and captions communicate your message even before viewers tap for audio.

LinkedIn Video Ad Guidelines:

• Recommended dimensions:
  • Vertical (4:5): 360 × 450 to 1536 × 1920 pixels
  • Vertical (9:16): 360 × 640 to 1080 × 1920 pixels
  • Landscape (16:9): 640 × 360 to 1920 × 1080 pixels
  • Square (1:1): 360 × 360 to 1920 × 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratios: 4:5, 9:16, 16:9, or 1:1
• Maximum file size: 200 MB
• Format: MP4 (recommended)
• Video length: 3 seconds to 30 minutes
• Frame rate: 30 fps

Character Limits for Ads:

• Ad name: 255 characters
• Headline: Recommended 70 characters (max 200)
• Introductory text: Recommended 150 characters (max 600)

Pro Tip: Always include captions and a strong call-to-action. Most LinkedIn users scroll without sound, so on-screen text and visuals should carry your message clearly.

 

X (formerly Twitter) Video Specs

X – what we once called Twitter – is still one of the best platforms for sharing fast, engaging video content. For marketers, the key is getting your specs right so your videos load fast and look great across all devices.

X Landscape & Portrait Videos

On X, you can upload videos in landscape, portrait, or square formats. These are designed for native uploads – meaning videos you post directly, not links from YouTube or other sites.

X Video Guidelines:

• Resolution: 1280 × 720 (landscape), 720 × 1280 (portrait), 720 × 720 (square)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (landscape or portrait), 1:1 (square)
• Maximum file size: 512 MB
• Video length: 0.5 seconds to 140 seconds
• Frame rate: 30 fps or 60 fps
• Character limit: 280 characters

X Video Ads

Planning to boost your videos with paid ads? The good news is that X ads use the same video specs as organic posts, so you don’t have to worry about resizing or reformatting. Just make sure your content hooks viewers quickly. You only have a few seconds before they scroll past.

X Video Ad Guidelines:

• Resolution: 1280 × 720 (landscape), 720 × 1280 (portrait), 720 × 720 (square)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 or 1:1
• Maximum file size: 512 MB
• Video length: 0.5 seconds to 140 seconds
• Frame rate: 30 fps or 60 fps
• Character limit: 280 characters

Pro Tip: Use captions! Many users scroll without sound, so text can help your message land even if the audio doesn’t play.

 

Snapchat Video Specs

If your goal is to connect with a younger, highly active audience, Snapchat is where it’s at. It’s designed for fun, spontaneous, and authentic video sharing, and that’s exactly the energy brands should bring to the platform.

Snapchat Single Video

Snapchat videos are vertical by default, filling the phone screen completely. This makes it perfect for casual storytelling, quick promotions, or playful updates from your brand.

Snapchat Single Video Guidelines:

• Recommended resolution: 1080 × 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• Maximum file size: 32 MB
• Formats: MP4, MOV
• Video length: 3 to 10 seconds

Snapchat Long-Form Video Ads

For longer storytelling or in-depth product showcases, Snapchat’s long-form ads give you a bit more breathing room while keeping that immersive vertical experience.

Snapchat Long-Form Video Ad Guidelines:

• Recommended resolution: 1080 × 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 or 16:9
• Maximum file size: 1 GB
• Formats: MP4, MOV
• Video length: 3 to 180 seconds

Pro Tip: Even with longer videos, grab attention early. The first few seconds should make viewers want to keep watching – think energy, color, or a quick surprise.

 

Pinterest Video Specs

Pinterest isn’t just for saving photos of dream kitchens and outfit ideas anymore. It’s also a powerful space for video marketing. With users coming to the platform ready to discover, learn, and shop, videos can help your brand stand out in a big way.

If you have a Pinterest Business Account, you can upload both organic and promoted videos to show off products, tutorials, or brand stories. Even without one, you can still use Idea Pins, which let you share short video clips in a fun, creative format.

Shared Organic & Promoted Videos

Videos on Pinterest autoplay silently as users scroll, so visuals do all the talking. To grab attention, make your content bright, clear, and instantly engaging.

Pinterest Video Guidelines:

• Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square), 2:3, 4:5, or 9:16 (vertical)
• Maximum width video aspect ratio: 1:1 (square) or 16:9 (widescreen)
• Maximum file size: 2 GB
• Video length: 4 seconds to 15 minutes
• Accepted formats: MP4, MOV
• Title limit: 100 characters
• Description limit: 500 characters

 

Why Pay Attention to Social Media Video Sizes?

Let’s be honest – keeping up with social media video specs can sometimes feel daunting.

Each platform has its own rules, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, they change again.

But here’s the thing: getting your video sizes right isn’t just about neat formatting; it’s about making sure your content actually works.

When your video fits the platform perfectly, it looks sharper, loads faster, and performs better. On the other hand, a badly sized video can cut off key visuals, distort your message, or even make your brand look unprofessional.

Here are some reasons you may need to start paying more attention to getting your video sizing right:

Helps you get better visibility and reach

Social media algorithms love well-optimized videos. When your content is formatted correctly, platforms are more likely to push it into feeds and recommendations. This means more eyes on your brand.

You get improved viewer experience

Nobody enjoys watching a cropped face or blurry logo. Correct video sizing keeps your visuals crisp and centered, giving viewers a smoother and more enjoyable experience.

Stronger brand image

Clean, properly sized videos make your business look professional and detail-oriented. It shows you care about quality – something audiences and potential customers notice right away.

Higher engagement and conversions

When videos look great on every screen – from mobile to desktop – people are more likely to watch, like, and click. And that directly translates into more leads, more followers, and better ROI.

 

Final Note

Video isn’t just part of social media anymore; it is social media. Whether you’re posting a quick Story, a detailed YouTube guide, or a 15-second Reel, the way your video looks can make or break how people respond to it.

Getting the right dimensions might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of those small things that have a big impact.

By sticking to the correct video sizes and specs, you’re setting your content up for success. Keep this guide handy, stay updated when specs change, and your videos will always look their best, wherever you share them.

 

FAQs

Is video better than text?

In most cases, yes. Videos tend to grab attention faster and keep people engaged longer than text alone. They make it easier to explain ideas, show products in action, and connect emotionally with viewers. That said, combining strong visuals with good captions or descriptions often works best.

How long should videos be on social media?

It depends on the platform. Short-form content usually performs best – think under 60 seconds for TikTok, Reels, and Stories. For YouTube or LinkedIn, you can go longer if you’re offering real value or insights. The key is to keep it engaging from start to finish.

What types of videos get the most views?

Authentic, easy-to-digest videos always win. Tutorials, behind-the-scenes clips, quick tips, and storytelling-style videos tend to perform well.

What size should videos be for social media?

Each platform has its own ideal video size and ratio – for instance, 9:16 for TikTok and Reels, or 16:9 for YouTube. Using the right size ensures your video displays correctly without awkward cropping or pixelation. You can refer to the detailed specs in this guide to stay on point.

How long should a social media video be?

As a general rule, keep it short and focused. Most social media users decide within the first few seconds whether to keep watching. Aim for 15-60 seconds for casual posts, or up to 2-3 minutes if you’re telling a story, showcasing a tutorial, or sharing in-depth content.