The size of your TikTok video is no minor detail—get it wrong, and it’ll look rough and unprofessional. The correct format can lead to a better viewing experience, which can increase views and share.

Ahead, you’ll learn the specific requirements for TikTok videos, including the ideal dimensions and file sizes.

TikTok video specs

Getting the video size right makes your content look great and perform well on the platform. TikTok videos ideally should have a vertical aspect ratio of 9:16, which is the aspect ratio of a standard iPhone screen. The minimum video resolution is 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels. 

There are also file size specifications. Some of that comes down to TikTok video length, which can be anywhere from 3 seconds to 10 minutes. TikTok has no lower size limit for video, but has different max file sizes for certain devices: 

• Android: 72 MB
• iOS: 287 MB
• Online video uploads: 500 MB

TikTok also supports a range of file types, including MOV, MPEG, AVI, 3GP, and MP4.

TikTok supports up to 60 frames per second (fps). There’s no bitrate requirement, but a higher bitrate means better video quality.

TikTok dimensions: Should I choose portrait or landscape? 

When you’re filming a video—especially on your phone—one of the key decisions to make is whether to produce it in portrait (vertical video) or landscape (horizontal video) orientation. Portrait videos, aligning with the 9:16 aspect ratio, are taller than they are wide, while landscape videos have a wider aspect ratio, usually 16:9, resembling traditional TV and computer screens.

If you’re only going to be posting to TikTok, the portrait video format is what you want. It’s TikTok’s native orientation, so it’ll fill the screen completely and match the other videos on the app. But if you’re filming for multiple platforms, landscape videos can work—with some adjustments.

Portrait videos

Pros:

• Full-screen experience: Vertical videos cover the entire smartphone screen, which provides an immersive experience for TikTok users.
• Platform-friendly: The TikTok algorithm and user interface favor portrait videos, making them more likely to be promoted in TikTok’s For You page feed. Portrait is also favored on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, so it’s a flexible format.
• Higher engagement: Vertical videos typically see higher engagement rates on mobile-first platforms like TikTok because they appeal to the natural phone-holding position.‍

‍Cons:

• Limited view: The narrower frame can restrict what you can fit into the shot, potentially limiting creative options.
• Less versatile: Portrait videos might not transfer well to other video or social media platforms that favor landscape or square formats.

Landscape videos

Pros:

• Familiar format: This format is more traditional and can easily be repurposed across many different video and social media platforms. YouTube is one example. 
• Broader view: Landscape allows for a wider frame, which can be beneficial for certain types of video content where a broader view is needed.
• Easy to reformat: It’s easier to turn a landscape video into a vertical video or square video than vice versa. Some video editing software, like Descript, makes this a one-click process.

Cons:

• Reduced visibility: On TikTok, landscape videos appear smaller because they don’t fill the entire screen. This potentially reduces engagement. 
• Not algorithm-friendly: TikTok’s algorithm and user interface are optimized for vertical videos, so landscape videos might not perform as well.

The ideal file formats for TikTok videos

The best file formats for TikTok are MP4 and MOV, which are widely supported across both iOS and Android devices. 

These formats are best because they balance both quality and compression. This way, you make sure your TikTok videos are clear, crisp, and have manageable file sizes for uploading.

Key file format features:

• MP4: This is the most common video file format for TikTok videos. It’s compatible with a wide range of video editing tools and is supported across various devices. MP4 files maintain high-quality video resolution while keeping the video file size relatively small, which makes it ideal for the TikTok platform.
• MOV: Developed by Apple, MOV files are another popular format for TikTok videos, especially among iPhone users. They’re known for their high-quality video content, although the file size can be larger compared to MP4.

Using either format will ensure that your TikTok video maintains its quality after compression and during playback on the TikTok app, which is a must for truly great videos.

TikTok ads specs

TikTok offers a variety of ad formats with its own video size specifications. Let’s explore the specs for two popular ad formats: in-feed TikTok video ads and news feed TikTok video ads.

1. In-feed TikTok video ads

In-feed ads appear in the user’s For You page and tend to blend in with “organic” TikTok content. These standard ads are among the most popular ad formats on TikTok because of how well they blend in. 

Specifications:

• Aspect ratio: The official TikTok Ads Manager guide confirms that the preferred aspect ratios for TikTok videos are 9:16 (vertical video), 1:1 (square), or 16:9​​ (landscape video).
• Video resolution: The minimum resolution recommended by TikTok is 540 x 960 pixels, 640 x 640 pixels, or 960 x 540 pixels. Higher resolutions are suggested for better quality, with a recommendation of at least 720 x 1280 pixels​​.
• Video length: TikTok videos for advertising can be between five to 60 seconds. Shorter videos of nine to 15 seconds are recommended for optimal engagement​​.
• Maximum file size: The maximum file size for TikTok videos, as per the official TikTok Ads Manager guide, is within 500 MB​​.
• File formats: Supported file formats for TikTok video ads include MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, or AVI​​.

2. News feed TikTok video ads

Newsfeed ads appear in the For You page tab in user accounts.

Specifications:

• Aspect ratio: The recommended aspect ratios for TikTok news feed ads are 9:16 (vertical video), 1:1 (square), or 16:9 (landscape video)​​.
• Video resolution: The minimum video resolution required is 540 x 960 pixels, 640 x 640 pixels, or 960 x 540 pixels. However, TikTok suggests using a minimum resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, 640 x 640 pixels, or 1280 x 720 pixels for better quality​​.
• Video length: The length of the videos can be between five to 60 seconds, with a recommendation for shorter videos of nine to 15 seconds for optimal engagement​​.
• Maximum file size: 500 MB on iOS and Android platforms.
• File formats: Supports MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, and AVI formats.

Resize your TikTok videos with Descript

If you’re looking to resize your longer videos effortlessly, Descript is a tool that can easily help. Here’s a simple guide on how to resize videos.

Step 1: Import your video

Open your Descript app and begin a new project. Click New in the dashboard, then select Video project.

Once you’re in the editor, click Add file and select the video file you want to resize.

Step 2: Select the resize option

Once your video is uploaded, you can adjust your aspect ratio, frame rate, and video resolution by selecting the box icon in the top left corner of the Canvas.

Step 3: Export and share

To ensure your finished product looks and feels the way you want, check the playback in preview mode before exporting. 

Decide which format and resolution to use when exporting your video. You can automatically adjust the video for different social media platforms using Descript's library of templates. You can also publish content directly to any connected accounts like YouTube.

Descript is a free video editor that simplifies a lot of the technical aspects of editing, so you can focus on your creativity. It allows you to:

• Use AI-generated green screens to replace the background of your video.
• Auto adjust the aspect ratio and resolution for your chosen platform
• Easily add subtitles and captions to make your content more accessible. 
• Fix scenes where you aren’t addressing the camera with AI Eye Contact.
• Create social media snippets of your video in premade templates.

Thousands of TikTok users already rely on Descript to edit TikTok videos. If you’re ready to join them, take a tour of Descript today.

TikTok video dimensions FAQ

How long can a TikTok video be?

The maximum length of a TikTok video varies. Originally, TikTok videos could be up to 60 seconds, but the platform has expanded to allow videos up to 10 minutes, providing more flexibility for content creators.

What is the TikTok video size ratio?

The ideal aspect ratio for TikTok videos is 9:16. This ratio is optimized for mobile viewing, which fits perfectly on smartphone screens.

What size is TikTok high-quality video?

High-quality TikTok videos typically have a video resolution of at least 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels. However, higher resolutions can provide better video quality, especially on larger screens.