TikTok has become one of the fastest-growing social media platforms around today. The app has made it to over 150+ countries, and has over 1.677 billion users, with a whopping 232 million downloads worldwide in 2024. It’s a favorite for the 18 to 24 age demographic who have swarmed to the platform to create massive audiences and elevate their influencer status.
This brings us to how the platform operates, and more specifically, how to produce content with the right TikTok video size. This guide is about that and more.
We’ll share other handy tidbits like video dimensions, what the actual maximum video file size is on Apple and Android smartphones, what TikTok video maximum length is, and share a web app you can use to optimize videos and upload them to TikTok.
We’ll also share important guidelines for advertisers who want to win big on the platform.
TikTok Video Size Specifications
Creating high-quality TikTok videos requires an understanding of the platform's specific size requirements. These specifications ensure that your videos are displayed correctly across various devices, providing the best user experience. Below, we explore the key aspects of TikTok video size specifications, including resolution, format, length, and file size.
What Resolution Are TikTok Videos?
The resolution of your TikTok videos plays a significant role in their quality and viewer engagement.
TikTok Maximum Resolution
TikTok supports a maximum resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio, ideal for vertical viewing on mobile devices. For landscape videos, a 16:9 aspect ratio is used, though vertical orientation is preferred.
Here are the detailed specifications:
Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)
- Vertical (Portrait) Mode: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Horizontal (Landscape) Mode: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Desktop Devices
- Vertical videos are optimized for mobile but can still display at 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution.
What Format Are TikTok Videos?
Ensuring your videos are in the correct format is essential for compatibility and optimal playback. TikTok supports specific video formats and codecs:
- Supported Formats: MP4 and MOV
- Recommended Codec: H.264 for video and AAC for audio to maintain high quality with manageable file sizes
- Cross-Device Compatibility: These formats and codecs work seamlessly on both iOS and Android devices, as well as desktops.
What Is the Maximum Length for TikTok Videos?
The length of your TikTok videos affects engagement and discoverability.
TikTok Maximum Video Length
The maximum length for TikTok videos is 60 minutes. The minimum length is 1 second.
TikTok Video File Size
The file size of your TikTok videos influences upload times and playback performance. TikTok has set specific limits to ensure smooth performance across all devices:
- For iOS: Up to 287.6 MB
- For Android: Up to 72 MB
- For Desktop: Up to 512 MB
By adhering to these specifications, you can create TikTok videos that look great and perform well across various devices, enhancing viewer engagement and content reach.
TikTok Video Dimensions: Portrait or Landscape?
TikTok videos can be uploaded in portrait and landscape. Ideally, you want to produce videos that show in portrait as these are the norm. All social platforms offer vertical video. They improve consumption, something that any TikTok account holder wants to ensure to have the platform’s algorithm work in your favor.
As more of your content will be filmed with your smartphone, TikTok will automatically optimize it for portrait view. If you, however, want to switch yours to landscape, you’ll need to record it in landscape mode or upload a landscape-shot video to the platform. Alternatively, TikTok has a video mode button that appears when uploading videos.
TikTok Video Ad Size Specifications
Creating effective TikTok video ads requires a clear understanding of the platform's specific size requirements. These specifications ensure that your ads are displayed correctly across various devices, providing the best user experience and maximizing engagement. Below, we explore the key aspects of TikTok video ad size specifications for different ad types, including resolution, format, length, and file size.
In-Feed Ads
In-Feed Ads appear in users' "For You" feeds and are designed to blend seamlessly with native content.
- Resolution Size:
- Recommended: 1080 x 1920 pixels (vertical) and
- Alternative: 720 x 1280 pixels, 640 x 640 pixels (square), or 1280 x 720 pixels (horizontal)
- Video Format: MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI
- Video Length: 9 to 15 seconds recommended, up to 60 seconds
- File Size: Up to 500 MB
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 for vertical, 1:1 for square, 16:9 for horizontal
Brand Takeover Ads
Brand Takeover Ads appear immediately when users open the TikTok app, making a strong initial impact.
- Resolution Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (vertical)
- Video Format: MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI
- Video Length: 3 to 5 seconds
- File Size: Up to 500 MB
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16
Top View Ads
TopView Ads appear as the first in-feed post after a brief full-screen display.
- Resolution Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (vertical)
- Video Format: MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI
- Video Length: Up to 60 seconds
- File Size: Up to 500 MB
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16, 1:1, 16:9
Branded Hashtag Challenge
Branded Hashtag Challenge Ads encourage user-generated content by inviting users to participate in challenges.
- Resolution Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (vertical)
- Video Format: MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI
- Video Length: 5 to 60 seconds
- File Size: Up to 500 MB
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16
By adhering to these specifications for TikTok video ads, you can create engaging, high-quality ads that perform well across various devices.
Spark Ads
Spark Ads allow brands to boost organic posts or create ads using organic content from other users, ensuring a more authentic engagement.
- Resolution Size:
- Recommended: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Alternative: 720 x 1280 pixels, 640 x 640 pixels (square), or 1280 x 720 pixels (horizontal)
- Video Format: MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI
- Video Length: Up to 60 seconds
- File Size: Up to 500 MB
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 for vertical, 1:1 for square, 16:9 for horizontal
Tips for TikTok Video Ads
Use Vertical Videos
Vertical video is the easiest way to share content. It’s optimized for smartphones, providing the best possible view of what you have to share.
Don’t Make It Long
9 to 15-second long videos are ideal for standard ads, while 60-second options are recommended for News Feed App Series Video Ads.
Grab Attention Immediately
All savvy marketers understand that social media users are pressed for time when it comes to scrolling for content. They can’t seem to get through as much as possible soon enough. To beat scrolling, use an engaging image that stops users in their tracks.
Clean and Clear used contrasting colors and hashtags to catch viewer's attention. This ad generated 1.96 billion video views and 172 million likes, comments, and shares.
Source: tiktok.com
Centre Your Content
Like many other social media platforms, TikTok has margins that automatically crop content you upload. Be sure that you follow the recommendations above, and more important elements like a call to action copy to the center to make it pop.
Don’t Forget Music
There’s no getting around the music side of TikTok, it’s what makes the platform so powerful. Use music that’s appropriate for your ads, and if you can, make it as trendy as possible by studying what your target market is into.
Add a Strong Call-to-Action
Calls to action can be argued to be the point of marketing in some circles. You want users to take action and CTAs help deliver results. Make yours clear, compelling, personalized, and obvious. Don’t give users a reason to scroll without taking you up on an offer.
These details are well explained in our TikTok video ad specifications and best practices guide.
How to Optimize TikTok Videos With a Clideo
Have a video that isn’t on your smartphone? Not sure how to optimize it for TikTok? This guide includes simple steps to take up to 20 different video file types and make them TikTok-ready in 3 steps.
Upload/Select Your Video
To get started, head over to Clideo.com. Next, Upload a video by choosing one from your personal computer, Google Drive, or Dropbox account. If your video is already published on YouTube, you can use it without having to download it first. Clideo will let you copy and paste the YouTube video URL or one from any other online resource.
Note: The tool lets you edit files up to 500 MB for free.
Resize Your TikTok Video File
When your video is uploaded, the editor will open. Choose a preset or input custom dimensions.
For TikTok videos, use 9:16 or 1:1 aspect ratio, or the ad ratios above. Next, crop your video and adjust the video with zoom and position selectors. Here, click the Fill button to crop the recording or “Fit” match the frame size.
Clideo allows you to zoom your video in or out, and you can also change your video’s background color and select a format for the output file. When done, click the "Resize" button.
Download Your Resized Video
We’re in the final stretch! Your video is ready to be saved. To make sure you’re happy with your creation, preview the video and ensure it hasn't lost quality. When satisfied, choose the file format you’d like to download your video in.
Finally, click on the "Download" button. Videos can be saved to Dropbox or Google Drive.
Create Amazing TikTok Videos
TikTok is an awesome platform. Its growth and market are primed for greater success. If you’ve been on the fence about the creation of optimized TikTok ads and videos, give these tips and tricks a try. They’ll help you produce better content to share with the world.
Looking for more on how to grow your presence on TikTok? We have a TikTok masterclass designed to help build your personal brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TikTok video size ratio?
The most optimal TikTok video size ratio is 9:16 with a 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution. Other aspect ratio size you should consider is the 1:1.
What is the best video format for TikTok videos?
There are no best video formats for TikTok videos. Essentially, you can only upload videos in two formats: MP4 and MOV. Generally speaking, MP4 is better. But MOV is the default format for iOS devices.
What video length is best for TikTok?
The best video length for TikTok depends on the type of video you are making. While TikTok allows you to create videos between 1 second and 60 minutes long, it is generally advised to keep them shorter. Anything between 5, 15, and even 30 seconds is best for TikTok videos and ads.
