The Ultimate Guide to TikTok Video Size

The idea is not the only thing that goes into creating awesome content for TikTok. You also need to make sure that your video meets all of the platform’s technical requirements. Otherwise, even the best clip might end up looking really bad.

To make things a bit easier for you, we have gathered everything that you need to know about TikTok video specifications in this single guide. You’ll find out exactly how to film, edit, and upload your clip to make sure it looks its best on the platform.

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The Essential Things About  TikTok Video Format

The first thing you need to do if you want to create engaging TikTok content is understand what dimensions the platform prefers. 

TikTok is mainly designed for vertical videos, which is how most people hold their phones naturally. Also, the platform recommends a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, which is just right for the display of most modern smartphones.

TikTok Aspect Ratio

TikTok's main aspect ratio is 9:16, which means the video is 9 units wide and 16 units tall when held vertically. While this is the best format for TikTok, it also supports:

• 1:1 (square)
• 16:9 (landscape)

Just a heads-up, though—if you're not in the 9:16 format, your video will display black bars at the top and bottom to fill the empty space on the screen. This could reduce how engaged people are with your content.

Everything About Video Resolution

When it comes to resolution, TikTok has specific requirements to make sure everyone can enjoy the videos on any device. The minimum resolution we recommend for videos is 1080 x 1920 pixels (also known as 1080p). While you can technically upload videos with lower resolutions, they may look blurry or pixelated.

What About 4K and High-Resolution Videos?

What resolution does TikTok use for the majority of videos? While there isn't an explicit option for 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), you can definitely upload high-resolution videos. The platform will compress them, though, to make them easier to watch on mobile. This compression helps keep file sizes down while ensuring good video quality. Long story short, 1080p is probably your best bet. 

Are There Any Limitations on File Size?

TikTok has a few different limits when it comes to file size. It all depends on how you're uploading your content.

• Android devices: 72 MB maximum
• iOS devices: 287.6 MB maximum
• Web uploads: 500 MB maximum

It's important to know these limits if you're working with high-quality footage or longer videos. If your file is too big, you'll need to compress it before uploading.

Best Video Format for TikTok

TikTok supports a number of different video formats, but not all of them are equally effective. The formats that are currently getting the best results are:

TikTok Video Requirements: Frame Rate and Bitrate 

Frame Rate

TikTok can handle videos up to 60 frames per second (fps). Going higher than that can make things look smoother, but it also makes the file bigger. Most of what people share on TikTok is at 30 fps, which is about the best of both worlds in terms of quality and file size.

Bitrate Considerations

TikTok doesn't set a minimum bitrate, but using a higher bitrate usually means better video quality. However, it also increases the file size. 

Here are the recommended bitrates for the best quality:

• 1080p at 30fps: 6-8 Mbps
• 1080p at 60fps: 9-12 Mbps

The Perfect Video Length

TikTok video size has come a long way since the platform first started out at 15 seconds. These days, you can choose from a range of different video lengths:

• Minimum: 3 seconds
• Maximum: 10 minutes (60 minutes for uploaded videos)

However, videos that are 21 to 34 seconds long seem to do the best in terms of engagement.

How to Crop Your Videos

What is TikTok video crop size? If you're adapting existing content for TikTok, it's crucial to get the height and width just right. The platform automatically centers landscape videos, but you may want to tweak the framing to highlight certain elements. 

Try these approaches out:

For Landscape Videos

• Center your subject in the frame.
• Use zoom features to fill more vertical space.
• Consider splitting wide shots into multiple videos.

For Square Videos

• Add vertical extensions to fill the 9:16 frame.
• Use creative backgrounds or blur effects.
• Maintain focus on central content.

The Only Technical Optimization Tips You Need

File Size Management

It's important to remember that video compression is a key factor when it comes to navigating the TikTok file size limit. 

• Modern video compression codecs like H.264 and H.265 (HEVC) are great at delivering good quality while still maintaining reasonably sized files. We especially recommend H.264 as the codec for TikTok as it works really well across a lot of different platforms and is super efficient.
• The length of a video directly affects the file size, so think about cutting out any unnecessary parts before and after your main content. This not only shrinks the file size but also helps keep your viewers engaged. 
• Choosing the right format makes a big difference in file size management. The MP4 format with H.264 compression is the best for TikTok since it strikes that tricky balance between quality and file size. MOV files are also supported, but they're larger and may need additional compression for uploading.

Tips for Maintaining Quality

• Recording at a TikTok max resolution lets you be more flexible during editing and helps you keep the quality up through the compression process. When you record in 4K, you have more room for cropping and zooming while still maintaining the 1080p resolution. 
• The way you light a scene can make a big difference in how well it compresses and the quality of the video. If you can, use natural light or invest in some basic lighting gear. Avoid mixed lighting temperatures, though—that can create color issues that are tough to fix and might not compress well.
• The audio quality has a big impact on how long viewers stick around. Bad audio often leads to more compression artifacts in the final video because of how video codecs allocate data. Use external microphones when you can, and record in environments with little to no background noise. Consider using audio normalization tools to make sure the volume stays consistent throughout your video.

Bonus: Advanced Optimization Techniques

• The way you color grade and correct can make a big difference in both the quality of your video and the size of your file. When you make drastic color changes or use a lot of saturation, the file can end up being bigger than it needs to be. It's best to go for colors that seem natural and keep the contrast nice and moderate. 
• Frame rate stability is really important for a smooth playback experience. So, what frame rate does TikTok use? The platform supports up to 60 fps, but it's better to have a constant frame rate than to use the highest possible one. Variable frame rates can cause playback issues and may result in additional compression artifacts. For most content, a constant 30 fps provides excellent results while keeping the file sizes manageable.
• When it comes to bitrate management, you've got to be mindful. Higher bitrates usually mean better quality, but they'll also make the file bigger. With 1080p content at 30 fps, aim for the best bitrate for TikTok — between 6 and 8 Mbps. 

Export Settings Optimization

When you're exporting your final video, make sure to check your encoder settings. You'll want to use two-pass encoding if you want better quality, even though it'll take a little longer to process. This way, the encoder can look at your content and adjust compression based on that. For the key frame interval, 2–3 seconds (60–90 frames at 30 fps) usually works well for TikTok videos.

What format does TikTok use? While TikTok accepts various pixel formats, using 8-bit color depth (YUV420p) provides good quality while maintaining reasonable file sizes. 

Don’t Forget About Quality Control

Before you set your export settings in stone, test your videos on different devices and network conditions. What looks good on your editing monitor might not translate well to mobile devices. Create test exports with different settings and compare them on both Android and iOS devices to ensure consistent quality and the right TikTok videos aspect ratio across platforms.

TikTok Ads Specifications

For advertisers, TikTok has additional requirements:

• Video length: 5-60 seconds
• Maximum file size: 500 MB
• Supported ratios: 9:16, 1:1, 16:9
• TikTok videos resolution: 720 x 1280 pixels

Never Though Creating Content Can Be That Complicated? No Worries!

Creating perfectly sized TikTok videos doesn't have to be that tough. With BigMotion, an AI-powered video creation platform, you can just sit back and let us take care of all the technical stuff. 

The platform will:

• Generate videos in perfect TikTok reel dimensions
• Ensure optimal file formats and sizes
• Create engaging content with AI-powered tools
• Save time on technical adjustments
• Focus on creativity rather than specifications

Give BigMotion's free plan a go today and enjoy effortless TikTok video production with top-notch settings every time!