The Complete Guide to Social Media Video Specs in 2023

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Struggling to carry on prime of all of the completely different social media video specs? We had been, too.

Social platforms change just like the tides, with algorithms and finest practices updating always. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to be the go-to useful resource for all issues social media, together with up-to-date social media video specs.

Learn on to discover the latest video specs for every of the most well-liked social platforms.

Bonus: Need to understand how a viral social video creator makes tens of millions of {dollars} in gross sales? Obtain the free information now.

Fb video specs

Optimizing video content material for Fb is difficult, primarily due to the numerous other ways it delivers video to its customers.

Whenever you purchase a video advert on Fb immediately, it may seem in dozens of various codecs (in somebody’s cell information feed, in the sidebar on the desktop model of Fb, and even in somebody’s inbox on Fb Messenger). And also you even have to know what Fb’s add restrict is for movies, amongst different issues.

It pays to turn into conversant in the kinds of Fb movies and to discover a supply format that matches your marketing campaign targets. Discover the Fb video decision and specs you want beneath, or take a look at the help page.

Regular Facebook feed video

Recommended resolution: 1080p or less. Upload the highest-resolution video available that meets file size and ratio limits.

Landscape and Portrait dimensions: 1280 x 720

Minimum width: 1200 pixels

Supported aspect ratios: 16:9 (Landscape) to 9:16 (Portrait), and 16:9 (Portrait video with a link)

Mobile aspect ratio: Renders all video to 2:3

Recommended characters: 90, with link

Headline max: 25, with link

Link description: 30, with link

Length: Videos can be up to 240 minutes long

Size: Up to 10 GB large

Frame rate: Maximum frame rate of 30fps.

Tips: For best results, Facebook recommends uploading videos in .MP4 and .MOV format (see a full list of supported file formats here).

Resource: How to Use Facebook Live Video: A Guide for Marketers

Facebook Reels

Recommended resolution: At least 500 x 888 pixels

Recommended aspect ratio: 9:16

Recommended video format: .MP4, .MOV

Video captions are recommended for those who watch with the sound off

Image via this Facebook Reel

Facebook 360 video

Maximum Facebook video dimension: 5120 by 2560 pixels (monoscopic) or 5120 by 5120 pixels (stereoscopic)

Supported aspect ratios: 1:1 (stereoscopic) or 2:1 (monoscopic)

Recommended format: .MP4 or .MOV format

Size: up to 10GB

Length: up to 30 min

Recommended frame rate: 30fps

Tips: If the camera you recorded your video on automatically includes 360 video metadata with the video file, you can upload the video like you would any other video. If it doesn’t, click on the ‘Advanced’ tab when uploading to bring up Facebook’s ‘360 controls’ tab, which will let you convert unformatted footage into a 360 video.

With many social media video sizes and longer durations (Facebook included), you may experience longer processing times.

Facebook 360 social video

Image via Facebook — click through to check out the 360 video!

Facebook in-stream video ads

Recommended resolution: 1080 x 1080

Recommended size: 16:9 ratio recommended (landscape) or 1:1 (square). Upload the highest-resolution video that meets file size and ratio limits.

Video format: Recommended .MP4 or .MOV format

Maximum file size: 4GB

Maximum length: 240 minutes

Maximum frame rate: 30fps

Recommended characters: 125

Recommended headline: 27

Link description: 27

Tips: For in-stream ads, Facebook recommends uploading the “highest resolution source video available without letter or pillar boxing.” Facebook provides an exhaustive list of aspect ratios and features available for each ad type.

Facebook Messenger video ads

Recommended resolution: 1280 by 628 pixels

Supported aspect ratios: 9:16 to 16:9

Recommended time length: 15 seconds

Resource: Facebook Messenger Ads: How the Pros Get Results

Facebook carousel video ads

Recommended size: 1080 by 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)

Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV

Maximum length: 240 minutes

Maximum frame rate: 30fps

Maximum file size: 4GB

Recommended characters: 125

Recommended headline: 27

Resource: Carousel Ads: How and Why They Work (+ Examples)

Tips: Carousels let you showcase up to 10 images or videos in one ad without having the user navigate to a new page. For best results, use a pixel square (1:1) video.

Facebook Collection cover video

Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1080 pixels

Supported aspect ratios: 1:1

Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV

Maximum file size: 4GB

Maximum frame rate: 30fps

Maximum length: 240 minutes

Recommended characters: 90

Headline max: 25

Link description: 30

Tips: Collections make it easier for users to browse and purchase products directly in the Facebook feed. Instant Experience is required to execute Collection ads, which provide a “full-screen landing page that drives engagement and nurtures interest and intent.”

Facebook Instant Experience (IX) video

Recommended resolution: 720p

Aspect ratio: 9:16 Portrait or Pillarboxed

Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV

Maximum file size: 4GB

Maximum length: 120 seconds (all videos combined)

Maximum frame rate: 30fps

Tips: Clicking on an IX ad immediately triggers a full-screen experience for your audience. You can use IX ads to create an instant online storefront, ads for customer acquisition, brand storytelling, or an instant lookbook, or you can build one from scratch, optimized to your goals.

A Facebook Instant Experience (IX) social media video ad

Source: Facebook

Facebook slideshow ads

Aspect ratio: 16:9 (landscape) , 4:5 (vertical), 1:1 (square)

Maximum size: 4 GB

Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV

Maximum length: 15 seconds for the entire slideshow

Tips: Slideshow ads, designed for audiences with slower internet access, let you transform a series of 3-10 images and a sound file (supported formats: WAV, MP3, M4A, FLAC, and OGG) into a video ad.

For best results, Facebook suggests using the highest quality images possible, all the same resolution (ideally an image ratio of 16:9, 1:1, or 2:3). If you use different sizes, the slideshow will be cropped to be square.

social video specs facebook carousel

Source: Facebook

Facebook Story ads

Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1080

Aspect ratio: 1.91 to 9:16

Recommended characters: 125

Maximum file size: 4 GB

Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV

Recommended length: 15 seconds, but you can split a longer video into 2 or 3 separate Stories cards so your audience can get the full story

Resources: How to Use Facebook Stories for Business: The Complete Guide

Tips: Since Stories only last for a couple of seconds, spend time developing the first few seconds of your ad to really grab your audience’s attention.

A Facebook Story ad that uses social video to grab attention

Source: @lamoda on Instagram

Instagram video specs

Instagram supports three kinds of video: square (1:1), vertical (9:16 or 4:5) and landscape (16:9).

Pro tip: Square videos are best for both desktop and mobile users. They take up more room in user’s feeds than horizontal videos, but don’t crowd the entire screen like vertical videos do.

Instagram has 1.4 billion daily active users, so let’s get your video uploading on point! Oh, and get your Instagram video creation on point, too.

Instagram in-feed video and ads

In-feed landscape video:

  • Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1080
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Maximum file size: 4GB
  • Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV
  • Maximum video length: 120 seconds
  • Frame rate: 23-60 fps

In-feed square video:

  • Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1080
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1
  • Maximum file size: 4GB
  • Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV
  • Maximum video length: 120 seconds
  • Frame rate: 23-60 fps

In-feed vertical video:

  • Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1080
  • Aspect ratio: 4:5
  • Maximum file size: 4GB
  • Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV
  • Maximum video length: 120 seconds
  • Frame rate: 23-60 fps

Recommended characters: 125

An Instagram feed ad that uses social video

Source: Instagram @Halara_official

Instagram Stories

Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1920

Aspect ratio: 9:16

Maximum file size: 4GB

Recommended video format: MP4 or .MOV

Maximum video length: 15 seconds

Frame rate: 23-60 fps.

Psst, it’s time for a shameless plug: Did you know you can schedule your Instagram Stories directly from the Hootsuite platform?

Instagram Story ads

Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1920

Aspect ratio: 9:16

Maximum file size: 4GB

Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV

Maximum video length: 120 seconds

Resource: How to use Instagram Stories like a Pro

Tips: These videos appear between Instagram user Stories for up to two minutes (or until dismissed) and take up the whole screen.

an Instagram Story ad is an example of a social media video

Source: Instagram @thedoersway

Instagram Reels

Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1920

Aspect ratio: 9:16

Maximum file size: 4GB

Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV

Video length: from 3 seconds and up to 15 minutes

Resource: Instagram Reels in 2023: A Simple Guide for Businesses

Instagram carousel video ads

Recommended resolution: 1080 by 1080

Aspect ratio: 1:1

Recommended video format: .MP4 or .MOV

Maximum length: 120 seconds

Maximum size: 4GB

Maximum frame rate: 23-60fps

Tips: Like Facebook carousels, Instagram carousels let you showcase between two and ten images or videos in one side-scrolling ad.

X (formerly Twitter) video specs

X, formerly known as Twitter, is known for its real-time updates on all things interesting.

Whatever industry you’re marketing for, you can be sure to find an audience on Twitter. You can also be sure that your audience wants to see video content, which is why, of course, your Twitter video dimensions need to be accurate.

Since it’s a mobile-first app, videos you shoot on your phone will upload with proper Twitter video resolution. But, if you’re sending out content from your desktop, be sure to double-check the bitrate against Twitter’s detailed guidelines.

X (aka Twitter) movies

Really helpful decision: 1280 by 720 (panorama), 720 by 1280 (portrait), 720 by 720 (sq.)

Twitter side ratio for video: 16:9 (panorama and portrait), 1:1 (sq.)

Most file measurement: 512 MB

Really helpful video format: .Mp4 or .MOV

Most video size: 140 seconds

Most frames: 30 or 60 fps.

Character max: 280

Useful resource: Twitter Adverts for Newbies: The 2023 Guide

TikTok video specs

TikTok, the short-form video platform that took the world by storm, generated almost 500 million USD in income in the primary quarter of 2023. Entrepreneurs who understand how to work the app can skyrocket their model reputation and promote extra services or products.

TikTok makes it extremely simple (and sort of addictive) to create and publish video content material. You may take a look at the specs you want to know beneath and discover extra on TikTok for enterprise.

TikTok in-feed content material (natural)

Dimensions: 1080 by 1920

Really helpful side ratio: 9:16

Most video measurement: 287 MB

Really helpful video codecs: .MP4 or .MOV

Most size: 10 minutes

Character max: 2,200

Useful resource: How to Make a TikTok Video: Every thing You Want to Know

Ideas: Natural content material ranks on the For You Web page due to its reputation with viewers. Strive to enhance your probability of rating by performing TikTok web optimization (don’t fear, it’s solely 5 simple steps).

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♬ unique sound – Hootsuite

TikTok in-feed content material (adverts)

Dimensions: 540 by 960, 640 by 640 or 960 by 540

Facet ratio: 9:16, 1:1, or 16:9

Most video measurement: 500 MB

Accepted video codecs: .MP4, .MOV, .MPEG, .3GP, .and AVI

Accepted size: 5 – 60 seconds

Character restrict for advert description: 12-100

Useful resource: How to Make Nice TikTok Adverts: The Complete 2023 Guide

@fairmonthotels Pleased Pleasure, Vancouver! 🌈 Yesterday, colleagues and associates gathered for the forty fifth annual Vancouver Pleasure Parade. We’re honoured to have marched alongside a whole bunch in assist of variety, inclusivity and #loveandluxuryforall ❤️🫶🏼 #loveislove #comesleepwithus #FairmontHotels #StayIconic #Hotelcore #LuxuryCore #LuxuryHotel #pride2023 #pleasure #vancouver #vancouverbc #canada #canadapride #traveltiktok #travellife #luxurytravels #vancouverprideparade ♬ ROBOT – Simen Andreas Knudsen

Snapchat video specs

Should you’re making an attempt to attain a youthful crowd, attempt Snapchat. The disappearing-video app continues to be energetic with sure generations, and it’s well-optimized for video sharing.

Uncover extra on video adverts from Snapchat’s Enterprise Middle.

Snapchat single video

Really helpful decision: 1080 by 1920

Facet ratio: 9:16

Most file measurement: 32MB

Accepted video codecs: .MP4 and .MOV.

Video size: between 3 and 10 seconds

Useful resource: Snapchat for Enterprise: The Final Advertising and marketing Guide

Ideas: Snapchat is about sharing moments amongst associates and having enjoyable. Don’t deal with your natural Snapchat technique too significantly; give your viewers a take a look at what goes on behind the scenes along with your model.

Snapchat long-form video advert

Really helpful decision: 1080 by 1920

Facet ratio: 9:16 or 16:9

Most file measurement: 1GB

Accepted video codecs: .MP4 and .MOV.

Video size: 3 to 180 seconds

Ideas: The Snapchat long-form video advert is what customers see between Snap tales.

YouTube video specs

YouTube has lengthy been the video juggernaut of the web. And that’s precisely why you want to have your YouTube video decision and YouTube video sizes on level.

See extra of the ins and outs of YouTube video specs on the assistance web page, or seize your must-know specs beneath.

YouTube video participant

Really helpful resolutions: 426 by 240 (240p), 640 by 360 (360p), 854 by 480 (480p), 1280 by 720 (720p), 1920 by 1080 (1080p), 2560 by 1440 (1440p), and 3840 by 2160 (2160p)

Facet ratio: 16:9 and 4:3 (YouTube provides pillarboxing if 4:3)

Most file measurement: 128GB (except it’s greater than 12 hours)

Most video size: 12 hours

Accepted video codecs: .MOV, .MPEG4, MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, and WebM

Ideas: YouTube encourages its customers to add movies which might be “as shut to the unique, high-quality supply format as potential.” Movies must be uploaded in their native side ratios and will by no means embody letterboxing or pillarboxing bars since YouTube “routinely frames movies to make sure that they’re displayed accurately, with out cropping or stretching, whatever the measurement of the video or participant.”

YouTube gives a full record of really helpful bitrates for YouTube uploads right here, and a full record of supported file codecs right here.

YouTube video adverts

There are 4 foremost varieties of YouTube video adverts, and in addition to the size of the video, all of them share the identical specs because the YouTube video participant above.

Skippable video adverts: Most size of 12 hours, skippable after 5 seconds

Unskippable video adverts: Most size of 15 or 20 seconds (relying on area)

Bumper video adverts: Most size of 6 seconds

Mid-roll Video Advert: Performed mid-view, this advert solely seems in content material that’s longer than 8 minutes. Mid-rolls could be skipped after 30 seconds.

Useful resource: The Complete Guide to YouTube Adverts for Entrepreneurs

YouTube Shorts specs

Really helpful resolutions: 240 by 426, 360 by 640, 480 by 854, 720 by 1280, 1080 by 1920, 1440 by 2560, and 2160 by 384

Facet ratio: 9:16

Most video size: 60 seconds

Accepted video codecs: .MOV, .MPEG4, MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, and WebM

YouTube music size: Should you pull music from the YouTube library, it’s restricted to 15 seconds.

Title character restrict: 100 characters

Useful resource: How to Make YouTube Shorts: Every thing You Want to Know and How to Make Brief-Type Movies that Stand Out

LinkedIn video specs

LinkedIn movies acquire a median of 3 times the engagement of text-based posts. When video content material is that efficient at participating an viewers, you could be positive the algorithm will reward it.

See LinkedIn’s official video specs right here.

LinkedIn shared video

Facet ratio: 1:2.4 to 2.4:1

Most file measurement: 5GB

Video size: between 3 seconds and 10 minutes

Accepted video codecs: .ASF, .AVI, .FLV, .MOV, .MPEG-1, .MPEG-4, .MP4, .MKV, and .WebM

Most frames: 10-60fps.

LinkedIn video adverts

Panorama video decision: 640 by 360 or 1920 by 1080

Panorama side ratio: 16:9

Sq. video decision: 360 by 360 or 1920 by 1920

Sq. side ratio: 1:1

Vertical video decision: 360 by 640 or 1080 by 1920

Vertical side ratio: 9:16

Most file measurement for all resolutions is 200 MB

Really helpful video format: .MP4

Video size: 3 seconds to half-hour

Most frames: lower than 30fps

Pinterest video specs

When you have a enterprise account on Pinterest, you’ll be able to add promoting movies. Since your pinning viewers is basically heading to the platform to uncover new merchandise, they’re receptive to ads. And product-related movies are proving to be fashionable with at the least 1 / 4 of all web customers.

By the way in which, in order for you to create movies with out having a enterprise account, you’ll be able to create Thought Pins, which characteristic video clips.

See Pinterest’s full spec sheets right here.

Shared natural video and promoted video specs

Facet ratio: 1:1 (sq.) or 2:3, 4:5 or 9:16 (vertical)

Most width video required side ratio: 1:1 (sq.) or 16.9 (widescreen)

Most file measurement: 2 GB

Video size: from 4 seconds to quarter-hour

Accepted video codecs: .MP4 and .MOV.

Character title max: 100

Character description max: 500

Useful resource: Pinterest Adverts: A Easy Guide for 2023

A Pinterest video ad shows one video pin in a sea of static pins

Supply: Pinterest

FAQs about social media video specs

What measurement ought to movies be for social media?

Video sizes fluctuate relying on the social media platform in query. Make sure to search for the really helpful measurement and backbone of your platform earlier than importing your video.

What video bitrate must you use for social media?

The mostly really helpful minimal video bitrate is 5,000 kbps, however you must search for your platform-specific really helpful bitrate.

What’s the finest side ratio for social media video?

The finest side ratio for social media video varies based mostly on the platform’s necessities, however they’re usually 16:9, 4:3, and 1:1.

Ought to I exploit 4:5 or 9:16 for Instagram video?

Panorama side ratio is 16:9, and vertical side ratio is 4:5 for Instagram. Instagram additionally has a sq. side ratio of 1:1. Which one you employ could rely in your content material, however many entrepreneurs have discovered success with the sq. side ratio.

What’s 9:16 social media measurement?

A 9:16 social media video measurement is usually 1080 by 1920 pixels in decision.

What social media video codecs are finest?

The hottest video format for social media is both .MOV or .MP4.

How lengthy ought to a social media video be?

The very best size will depend on the platform and your viewers’s consideration span, however we dive into the main points in the weblog How Lengthy Ought to a Social Media Video Be? Ideas for Each Community.

Save time managing your social media presence with Hootsuite. From a single dashboard you’ll be able to publish and schedule posts, discover related conversions, interact the viewers, measure outcomes, and extra. Strive it free immediately.

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With information from Nick Zarzycki and Michelle Cyca.

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