The best TikTok video size is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. That fills the whole phone screen with no black bars. Keep important text and logos in the centre of the frame, because TikTok places your caption, username and buttons on top of the video. This guide covers the TikTok video size, resolution, safe zones, cover images and profile photo size.
- Film and export at 1080 x 1920 (9:16) for full-screen TikTok videos.
- Keep text away from the bottom and right side, where captions and buttons sit.
- Pick a cover frame with clear text in the middle, because profile grids crop it.
TikTok video size chart
| Item | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Video size | 1080 x 1920 px | 9:16 vertical, full screen |
| Minimum resolution | 720 x 1280 px | Lower looks soft on modern phones |
| Horizontal video | 1920 x 1080 px (16:9) | Shows with bars; avoid for most content |
| Square video | 1080 x 1080 px (1:1) | Shows with bars above and below |
| Cover image | 1080 x 1920 px frame | Grid shows a cropped centre |
| Profile photo | At least 200 x 200 px, square | Shown as a circle |
| File type | MP4 or MOV | H.264 video is the safest choice |
TikTok changes length and file-size limits from time to time, and limits differ between the app, desktop uploads and ads. Check the upload screen for your account's current limits before exporting a long video.
Why 9:16 is the right TikTok video size
TikTok is built for phones held upright. A 9:16 video fills the screen from top to bottom, so viewers see nothing else while it plays. Horizontal or square videos leave empty space, look smaller and usually get less attention. If you film horizontally for YouTube, create a separate vertical edit for TikTok rather than uploading the same file.
TikTok safe zones for text
TikTok covers parts of every video with its interface:
- Bottom: your username, caption, sound name and progress bar. Keep the bottom 20 percent or so clear.
- Right side: the like, comment, save and share buttons. Leave a margin of about 140 pixels on the right.
- Top: the Following and For You tabs. Avoid placing text in roughly the top 130 pixels.
As a result, the safest area for titles, prices and captions burned into the video is the centre of the frame, slightly above the middle.
TikTok cover image
When you post, TikTok lets you choose a frame from the video as the cover, or upload text on top of it. On your profile grid, covers are cropped to a shorter shape, so place the title in the middle of the frame. Using the same font and colours on every cover makes your profile look organised and helps people find series.
How to avoid blurry TikTok videos
- Export at 1080 x 1920 from your editing app, not a lower resolution.
- Turn on high-quality uploads in TikTok's settings so the app does not reduce quality on mobile data.
- Use good lighting. Dark footage gets noisy and compression makes it worse.
- Avoid re-uploading videos downloaded from other apps, which are already compressed.
- Upload on Wi-Fi when possible, especially for longer videos.
Using the same video on other platforms
A 1080 x 1920 vertical video also works for Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts and WhatsApp Status. Keep text in the centre so it fits every app's buttons. See our Instagram size guide and YouTube size guide for platform-specific details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TikTok video size?
1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio.
Can I upload horizontal videos to TikTok?
Yes, but they show with empty space above and below. Vertical videos perform better.
What size is a TikTok profile picture?
A square image of at least 200 x 200 pixels. It appears as a circle.
How long can TikTok videos be?
It depends on how you upload and on your account. TikTok shows the current limit in the upload screen. Most business videos work best when kept short.
Need help with TikTok content for your business?
Our social media marketing team plans, edits and designs short vertical videos for TikTok, Reels and Shorts, and our creative team builds cover templates that match your brand. For platform updates, see the official TikTok Help Center.
Written by the ItsWebExpert team, a web design and development company in Karachi building websites, online stores and apps for businesses across Pakistan.
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