TikTok Video Dimensions 2026: Complete Size and Format Guide

TikTok is the world’s fastest-growing social media platform, with billions of users creating and watching short-form vertical videos daily. Understanding the correct TikTok video dimensions ensures your content displays perfectly without cropping, black bars, or quality loss. This comprehensive guide covers exact specifications, technical requirements, and best practices for TikTok videos in 2026.

Quick Reference: TikTok Video Dimensions

Understanding TikTok’s Vertical Format

TikTok is exclusively a vertical video platform designed for mobile-first viewing. Unlike platforms that support multiple aspect ratios, TikTok only displays videos in 9:16 vertical format. This decision reflects how users naturally hold their phones and creates an immersive, full-screen viewing experience.

Videos uploaded in landscape (16:9) or square (1:1) formats will be automatically cropped or displayed with large black bars, significantly reducing viewability and engagement. For optimal performance on TikTok, always create content specifically for vertical viewing.

Recommended Video Dimensions

1080×1920 Pixels (9:16) – Standard Quality

1080×1920 is TikTok’s recommended resolution and provides excellent quality for mobile viewing. This resolution balances visual quality with reasonable file sizes, ensuring smooth uploads and playback across all devices and connection speeds.

2160×3840 Pixels (9:16) – 4K Vertical

TikTok supports 4K vertical video upload for creators who want maximum quality. However, most viewers watch on mobile devices where the quality difference is minimal. 4K videos also have significantly larger file sizes and longer upload times. Use 4K only when showcasing detailed visuals or when you have excellent upload speeds.

Video Duration Limits

Account Type	Maximum Duration	Recommended Length
All Accounts	10 minutes	15-60 seconds
Minimum Length	3 seconds	7+ seconds for better performance

While TikTok allows videos up to 10 minutes long, the platform originally built its success on short-form content. Videos between 15-60 seconds typically perform best, as they align with user expectations and the platform’s algorithm preferences. Longer videos (3-10 minutes) can work for educational content, tutorials, or storytelling, but require strong hooks to maintain viewer attention.

Technical Specifications

Video Codec and Format Requirements

Frame Rate Options

TikTok supports multiple frame rates, each suited for different content types:

• 24 fps: Cinematic look, film-like quality (less common on TikTok)
• 30 fps: Standard frame rate, works for most content types
• 60 fps: Smooth motion, ideal for action, sports, and dynamic content

Most TikTok creators use 30 fps, which provides smooth playback while keeping file sizes manageable. Use 60 fps only for content with significant motion or when showcasing smooth transitions and effects.

File Size Limitations

Platform	Maximum File Size	Notes
iOS (iPhone/iPad)	287.6 MB	Larger file limit
Android	72 MB	Smaller limit requires optimization

The file size difference between iOS and Android is significant. If you’re creating content for both platforms, optimize your videos to stay under 72 MB to ensure compatibility across all devices. Longer videos or 4K content may exceed these limits and require compression before upload.

Common TikTok Video Problems and Solutions

Black Bars on Sides of Video

Black bars appear when you upload landscape (16:9) or square (1:1) videos to TikTok. Since TikTok only displays 9:16 vertical format, horizontal videos get letterboxed with large black bars.

Solution: Always film or edit content in vertical orientation. If you have existing horizontal footage, crop it to 9:16 format before uploading. Keep important content centered to avoid losing key elements during cropping.

Video Quality Looks Blurry or Pixelated

TikTok compresses all uploaded videos. Starting with low-resolution source material results in poor quality after compression.

Solutions:

• Upload at 1080×1920 minimum resolution
• Use high-quality camera settings when filming
• Avoid excessive filters or effects that degrade quality
• Export at high bitrate before uploading
• Ensure good lighting when filming (lighting affects perceived quality)

Video Gets Cropped

Content near the top, bottom, or sides gets cut off when TikTok displays your video.

Solution: Keep important content (faces, text, products) in the center 80% of the frame. TikTok’s interface elements (profile icon, like button, comments) appear on the right side and bottom of the screen, so avoid placing crucial content in these areas.

File Size Too Large to Upload

4K videos, long videos, or high-bitrate exports often exceed TikTok’s file size limits, especially the 72 MB Android limit.

Solutions:

• Reduce resolution from 4K to 1080p
• Lower the bitrate during export
• Reduce frame rate from 60fps to 30fps
• Trim video length if possible
• Use compression software before uploading

Best Practices for TikTok Videos

1. Always Film Vertically

Hold your phone in portrait orientation when recording. This captures content in native 9:16 format, eliminating the need to crop or resize later. Filming vertically also ensures you maximize the available screen space for viewers.

2. Consider Safe Zones

TikTok’s interface overlays several elements on your video:

• Right side: Profile picture, like, comment, share, and audio buttons
• Bottom: Caption and username
• Top: “Following” and “For You” tabs

Keep important content away from these areas. A safe zone of approximately 120 pixels from each edge ensures nothing critical gets obscured.

3. Optimize Lighting and Audio

Good lighting dramatically improves perceived video quality, even at standard resolution. Natural light works well, or use affordable ring lights for consistent results. Clear audio is equally important—TikTok’s algorithm considers audio quality when recommending videos.

4. Front-Load Your Hook

The first 1-3 seconds determine whether viewers keep watching. Start with attention-grabbing content immediately. TikTok’s algorithm heavily weights completion rate when deciding which videos to promote.

5. Test Different Video Lengths

While 15-30 second videos traditionally perform best, experiment with different lengths. Some audiences engage more with 45-60 second videos, while educational content may benefit from the full 3-minute or longer format.

TikTok vs Other Platforms: Dimension Comparison

Platform	Dimensions	Aspect Ratio	Max Duration
TikTok	1080×1920	9:16	10 minutes
Instagram Reels	1080×1920	9:16	90 seconds
YouTube Shorts	1080×1920	9:16	60 seconds
Snapchat	1080×1920	9:16	60 seconds

TikTok’s dimensions match other short-form vertical video platforms, making it easy to repurpose content across Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat. However, optimize content for each platform’s unique culture and audience expectations—what works on TikTok may need adjustments for other platforms.

Exporting Videos for TikTok

Recommended Export Settings

When exporting videos from editing software for TikTok upload:

• Format: MP4 (H.264)
• Resolution: 1080×1920 pixels
• Frame Rate: 30 fps (or match your source footage)
• Bitrate: 8-10 Mbps for video
• Audio Bitrate: 192 kbps AAC
• Target File Size: Under 72 MB for Android compatibility

Popular Editing Software Settings

Adobe Premiere Pro: Use H.264 preset with custom 1080×1920 dimensions. Set bitrate to 8-10 Mbps VBR, 2-pass encoding.

Final Cut Pro: Export using “Computer” destination with custom 1080×1920 resolution. Choose H.264 codec with “Better Quality” setting.

DaVinci Resolve: Set timeline resolution to 1080×1920, export as MP4 with H.264 codec. Use quality-based VBR at 8-10 Mbps.

Mobile Apps: Most mobile video editing apps (CapCut, InShot, VN) have TikTok-specific export presets that automatically configure optimal settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best video size for TikTok?

The best video size for TikTok is 1080×1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio). This resolution provides excellent quality for mobile viewing while maintaining reasonable file sizes and fast upload speeds.

Can I upload horizontal videos to TikTok?

While TikTok technically accepts horizontal videos, they display with large black bars on the sides and perform poorly. TikTok is designed exclusively for vertical content. Always convert horizontal footage to 9:16 vertical format before uploading.

Does TikTok support 4K video?

Yes, TikTok supports 4K vertical video (2160×3840 pixels), but the quality improvement is minimal on mobile devices. Most creators find 1080p provides sufficient quality while being easier to upload and edit.

What happens if my video is too large?

TikTok won’t allow upload if your file exceeds 287.6 MB (iOS) or 72 MB (Android). You’ll need to compress the video, reduce resolution, lower bitrate, or trim length to meet the size limit.

Why does my TikTok video look blurry?

Blurry videos usually result from uploading at too low resolution or from TikTok’s compression. Always upload at 1080×1920 minimum, use good lighting when filming, and export at high quality before uploading.

How long can TikTok videos be?

TikTok videos can be up to 10 minutes long, with a minimum of 3 seconds. However, videos between 15-60 seconds typically perform best, aligning with the platform’s short-form content culture.

What frame rate is best for TikTok?

30 fps is the standard frame rate for TikTok and works well for most content. Use 60 fps only for videos with significant motion or when showcasing smooth transitions and effects.

Should I film TikTok videos in the app or use an external camera?

Both methods work. TikTok’s built-in camera is convenient and may receive slight algorithmic preference. However, high-quality external cameras with proper lighting and editing can produce superior results that perform well.

Conclusion

TikTok’s video dimensions are straightforward: always use 1080×1920 pixels in 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. This format maximizes screen space on mobile devices and ensures your content displays properly without black bars or cropping.

For best results, film vertically from the start, maintain high quality by uploading at 1080p resolution, keep important content centered and away from interface elements, and optimize file size to stay under platform limits. Following these specifications ensures your TikTok videos look professional and engaging across all devices.

Need help calculating video dimensions for TikTok? Use our free video aspect ratio calculator to convert any video to perfect 9:16 vertical format instantly.