TikTok Video Size Guide to Best Dimensions, Aspect Ratio & Format

Creating content for TikTok? You need to get your TikTok video size right.

Master TikTok video dimensions for better engagement. Discover the ideal TikTok ratio, resolution, and video size to dodge black bars and compression. Those black bars around your TikTok video aren’t just annoying—they’re quietly killing your engagement. Nailing the right dimensions isn’t just about looking professional; it’s about making content that viewers want to watch and share.

TikTok is a mobile-first platform, which means that portrait videos, clean visuals, and smart compression are key. Whether you’re shooting on your phone or editing on desktop, the right dimensions and file format make a huge difference.

This guide covers everything you need to know about TikTok video specs—from aspect ratios to file sizes—without making you wade through paragraphs of unnecessary jargon. Just practical dimensions that work.

 

What is a TikTok video?

A TikTok video is a short, mobile-friendly video for the social video-sharing app.

Traditionally only a few seconds in duration, TikTok has become the go-to platform for dance challenges, sharing creative skills, jokes, and exchanging educational tips. The primary difference between TikTok and other video platforms, such as YouTube, is that it’s designed almost exclusively for mobile use. The infinite scroll, the size of the videos — it’s all best viewed on mobile devices from the app.

So when it comes to making your own TikTok videos, what are the best video dimensions?

 

TikTok video dimensions and specifications

Getting the TikTok video specifications right makes your TikTok content look professional and perform better on the platform.

 

TikTok video resolution

TikTok video size resolution is 1080 x 1920 pixels. TikTok’s minimum resolution is 720 × 1280 px, but you should always aim for 1080p to keep your videos sharp — especially after TikTok’s compression. Video resolution refers to the number of pixels in your video. The more pixels your video has, the more detail it shows. These dimensions fit a smartphone screen perfectly.

 

TikTok video aspect ratio

TikTok videos aspect ratio ideally should have a vertical aspect ratio of 9:16, which perfectly fits a standard smartphone screen. Videos with the wrong ratio (like 16:9 landscape) won’t fill the screen and may get cropped or have black bars. This reduces impact and engagement.

✅ 9:16 (vertical) – ideal, full-screen on mobile    ⚠️ 1:1 (square) – acceptable, but won’t fill the screen    ❌ 16:9 (landscape) – not recommended

 

TikTok video length

Choosing the right length for your videos depends on your content strategy, as it affects both their discoverability and viewer interest and engagement. The minimum video length is 3 seconds, and the maximum is 10 minutes.

 

TikTok video formats

Choosing the correct format is important for compatibility. This ensures viewers can play your video across different platforms and devices. TikTok also supports a range of file types, including MOV, MPEG, AVI, 3GP, and MP4 (recommended). If you’re exporting from a video editor, always choose MP4 with H.264 encoding. It gives the best compatibility and compression balance.

 

Tiktok video frame rates

TikTok supports frame rates of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, and up to 60 frames per second (fps). For smooth motion like dance or action videos, 30 or 60 fps is recommended. There’s no specific bitrate requirement, but a higher bitrate means better video quality, though TikTok will compress your video during upload.

 

Tiktok video size

TikTok video size has no lower size limit for video files, but does have different maximum file sizes depending on your device:

Android: 72 MB,  iOS: 287 MB,  Desktop (Online video uploads): 500 MB

For videos under 3 minutes, the maximum file size is 500MB, while videos between 3-10 minutes can be up to 2GB.

While longer videos are allowed, most high-performing TikToks stay under 1 minute and under 100 MB. Keep your edits clean and your file size light.

 

Best practices for TikTok video export specs

When exporting your final video, follow these tips.

Here’s a full checklist of the correct TikTok video specs for 2025, These steps help avoid TikTok reprocessing your video, which can reduce quality.

• Resolution 1080 × 1920 px (Full HD)
• Aspect Ratio 9:16 (Vertical)
• Format MP4 or MOV
• Choose AAC audio (44.1 kHz)
• Keep bitrate moderate (8–10 Mbps)
• File Size Limit 72 MB – 500 MB
• Video Length 3 sec – 10 min

 

Minimizing TikTok compression and quality loss

TikTok uses compression to reduce file sizes, but that process can degrade your video clarity if you overlook a few key steps.

One reliable safeguard is starting with the highest resolution footage possible, so there’s ample detail to withstand compression. Professional editing tools let you adjust bitrate and export settings precisely, which helps maintain crisp visuals at 1080p resolution. According to the official TikTok Ads Manager guide, adhering to recommended video specs also reduces unintended compression changes. Testing various file formats, like MP4 or MOV, can help you discover which combination best preserves your content’s fidelity post-upload.

 

Final Thoughts

Posting on TikTok? Use the correct dimensions, formats, and specs from the start.

It saves time, improves quality, and helps your content stand out in a crowded feed. Whether you’re promoting music, a product, or just sharing a story, a clean, properly-sized video makes all the difference.

 

Would you like the same guide for Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts?