TikTok Video Sizes and Dimensions 2026
| Format | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Video (recommended) | 1080 × 1920 px | 9:16 vertical | For You Page, main feed |
| Horizontal Video | 1920 × 1080 px | 16:9 | Gaming, tutorials, desktop screen recordings |
| Square Video | 1080 × 1080 px | 1:1 | Repurposed Instagram content |
| Profile Picture | 800 × 800 px (200×200 min) | 1:1 displayed circular | Profile page, comments |
| Photo Mode (carousel) | 1080 × 1920 px recommended | 9:16 | Up to 35 images per post |
Why 9:16 Vertical Gets Significantly More Reach
TikTok was built from day one for vertical mobile viewing. The 9:16 format fills the entire phone screen — no letterboxing, no black bars, no wasted space. This creates complete visual immersion, and TikTok's algorithm rewards it in two measurable ways:
Watch-through rate
TikTok heavily weights the percentage of viewers who watch a video to completion. Full-screen 9:16 videos hold attention more effectively than letterboxed videos — there are no black bars pulling the viewer's eye away from the content. Higher watch-through rate is one of the strongest signals for FYP distribution.
Re-watch rate
TikTok loops videos automatically. A high re-watch rate signals extremely strong content to the algorithm. Full-screen vertical videos create a more seamless, immersive loop than letterboxed videos where the bars break the continuity.
In practice: uploading 9:16 vs 16:9 with letterbox bars for the same content typically results in 2–5× higher FYP reach, based on consistent creator testing across account sizes and niches. Always upload native 9:16 when possible.
Full TikTok Technical Specifications
| Specification | Recommended | Minimum / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 px | 540 × 960 px minimum |
| Frame rate | 30 or 60 fps | 24 fps minimum |
| Video codec | H.264 (MP4) | H.265 also accepted but less reliable |
| Container | MP4 | MOV, AVI, WebM also accepted |
| Bitrate | 6,000–8,000 kbps for 1080p | TikTok re-encodes all uploads |
| Audio | AAC, 44.1 kHz, stereo | TikTok re-encodes audio |
| Max file size (iOS) | Under 287 MB | Hard limit |
| Max file size (Android) | Under 72 MB | Hard limit |
| Max file size (desktop) | Under 500 MB | Hard limit |
| Max duration | 3 min (mobile), 10 min (desktop) | Minimum 1 second |
TikTok Safe Zone: What Gets Covered by UI
TikTok overlays its interface on top of your video. Place important content in covered areas and viewers won't see it. Here's what covers what:
- Bottom 30–35%: Username, caption, hashtags, music title and album art, action buttons (like, comment, share, save)
- Right edge 10–15%: Profile avatar, like/comment/share/save/add buttons stacked vertically
- Top 5–8%: TikTok navigation/status bar
Safe zone for all important content: Central 60% of frame vertically (top 8% to bottom 32%), and left 85% horizontally. Keep faces, text and key subjects inside this zone. Background elements can extend to the full frame.
Optimal Export Settings from Video Editors
When exporting from DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, CapCut or any other editor before uploading to TikTok:
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 px | Native TikTok display resolution |
| Frame rate | 30 fps (60 fps for action/sports) | TikTok downgrades 60fps for most content types |
| Codec | H.264 | Most reliable; H.265 has occasional upload issues |
| Bitrate | 6,000–8,000 kbps | Provides quality headroom for TikTok's re-encoding |
| Container | MP4 | Most reliable format for TikTok uploads |
| Audio | AAC, 44.1 kHz, 192 kbps stereo | TikTok re-encodes audio — start high quality |
| Colour space | Rec.709 | TikTok uses Rec.709; P3/HDR colours may shift |
Profile Picture and Photo Mode Sizes
TikTok profile pictures display as circles at 98px in the feed and up to 150px on profile pages. Upload at 800×800 px minimum — TikTok stores full-size versions. Keep the key element (face, logo) centred within 70% of the frame — the circular crop removes corners. Test at 32px size (comments view) to ensure it's still recognisable.
Photo Mode (Slideshow): TikTok's carousel image post format supports up to 35 images per post. Use 1080×1920 px for maximum screen coverage. Photo Mode is particularly effective for content that works well as a sequence — recipes, tutorials, fashion lookbooks, travel guides, quotes — and can achieve high engagement in certain niches.
Posting Images on TikTok: Photo Mode Guide
To create a Photo Mode post: tap the + button → tap Photo → select up to 35 images from your camera roll → add music, effects and text → post. TikTok allows viewers to swipe through your images while the selected audio plays.
Image specifications for Photo Mode:
- Recommended dimensions: 1080 × 1920 px (9:16 vertical) for full-screen coverage
- Accepted formats: JPG or PNG
- Max file size per image: 20 MB
- Max images per post: 35
How to Resize Images for TikTok Free with PixelKit
- Open PixelKit and click 📱 Social Media Presets
- Click the ♪ TikTok platform button
- Select TikTok Video (1080×1920 · 9:16)
- Upload your image
- Choose Smart Crop to fill the frame, or Letterbox to show the full image with padding
- For Letterbox, choose a background colour — dark or brand-coloured bars look more intentional than plain black
- Export as JPG or PNG — image is ready for TikTok Photo Mode or as a still frame
♪ Resize for TikTok Free
1080×1920 exact. 9:16 vertical. No account, instant download.
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