TikTok video size: 1080×1920 and the vertical-format playbook
TikTok's vertical 9:16 format has become the de-facto standard for short-form video. The 1080×1920 specification is non-negotiable for organic reach — TikTok actively downranks horizontal or square videos in the For You feed. This guide covers the spec, the upload workflow, and the safe-area rules that drive watch time.
Why 1080×1920 is the only safe choice
TikTok's player renders vertical video at 1080×1920 on iPhone Pro models, 720×1280 on most Android devices, and 540×960 on older phones. If you upload at 1080×1920, the video displays fullscreen with no letterboxing. If you upload at any other aspect ratio, TikTok:
- Crops to 9:16 with letterbox bars (typical for 16:9 source)
- Adds zoom-in effects to fill the frame, cutting off content
- Reduces algorithmic ranking — TikTok's 2026 ranking model penalizes non-9:16 videos in the For You feed
The minimum resolution is 540×960. Below this, upload is rejected. The maximum file size is 287 MB on iOS, 72 MB on Android, with a maximum duration of 10 minutes (3 minutes for new accounts).
The "safe area" inside the 9:16 frame
TikTok overlays the video with UI elements that block critical content if you're not careful. The safe composition zones are:
- Top safe area: 200 pixels from top (status bar, account handle, sound attribution)
- Bottom safe area: 400 pixels from bottom (caption, like/comment/share buttons, sound disc)
- Right safe area: 100 pixels from right (share/save buttons)
- Left safe area: 100 pixels from left (typically clear)
The truly safe composition area is the central 880×1320 region of the 1080×1920 frame. Anything in this zone renders fully on every device.
Format and compression
- Format: MP4 or MOV (H.264 codec preferred, H.265 supported on newer devices)
- Frame rate: 30 fps standard, 60 fps supported for sports and gaming content
- Audio: AAC, 128 kbps minimum
- Bitrate: TikTok recommends 2-5 Mbps for VBR encoding
Cover frame selection
TikTok lets you pick a custom cover frame from your video. The cover frame is what viewers see on your profile grid. Pick a frame that:
- Has clear contrast between subject and background
- Includes a face if possible (face-forward covers get higher click-through)
- Has text or a hook that summarizes the video
- Avoids critical content at the bottom 400 pixels (caption overlay)
Why cover export matters
If you're using imgsize.cc to export a static cover image for TikTok (e.g., for the "Photos mode" carousel upload), the same 1080×1920 spec applies. The tool's workbench crops to 9:16 by default, applies no background fill, and exports PNG ready for upload.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upload 4K vertical? TikTok downscales 4K uploads to 1080p. Recording in 4K preserves more flexibility in post-production but doesn't affect upload quality.
What's the difference between TikTok and YouTube Shorts dimensions? Identical: both use 1080×1920 (9:16). Cross-posting requires no resizing.
Will square (1:1) videos perform? Square videos render with letterbox bars and are algorithmically downranked in 2026.