The TikTok video format
TikTok is built for a phone held upright. The right format is a video that fills the screen: 9:16, ideally 1080 × 1920 pixels.
What dimensions should a TikTok video be?
The standard is 9:16 vertical at 1080 × 1920 pixels. It's the same as YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, so one clip can go on all three.
A lower resolution (720 × 1280) is still accepted but looks less sharp on big phones. Clipotte exports in 1080p.
What happens if my video isn't 9:16?
TikTok still shows it, but with bars around it, filling less of the screen. A landscape video posted as is looks small and gets lost in the feed.
Never stretch it to fill the screen: faces would be distorted. Crop it or put it on a blurred background, as explained in horizontal to vertical video.
What about length and file size?
Those limits have changed several times and differ between the app and desktop uploads. We don't copy them here so you don't get an outdated number: check TikTok's official help before posting.
To choose a length based on content rather than the limit, read the ideal length of a short.
Where should text and captions go?
Away from the edges, especially the bottom and right side, where the app shows the caption, account name and buttons. Text placed too low risks being hidden.
The principles are in the TikTok safe zone, and setting up captions in auto captions for TikTok.
How do I get this format from a long video?
Clipotte cuts your long video into clips, reframes each one to 9:16 and exports at 1080 × 1920 with no watermark. The reframe follows the main face, or keeps the whole video on a blurred background if you prefer.
Clipotte is paid per video, based on the length processed: €4.90 up to 30 minutes, €7.90 up to 1 hour, €12.90 up to 2 hours, €16.90 up to 3 hours. Options: animated captions +€2, face and licence plate blur +€3, hook titles +€1.
Price for this video : €9.90
Upload my videoNo subscription · 1080p export, no watermarkFrequently asked questions
Should I film vertically for TikTok?
It's ideal for content made for TikTok. To reuse an existing landscape video, reframing works well on people talking.
Does square work on TikTok?
It shows, but doesn't fill the screen. 9:16 is still the format that does.
Which file format should I use?
MP4 is the most common and widely accepted. Clipotte clips are exported ready to post.
Does the same file work for Reels and Shorts?
Yes, 9:16 at 1080 × 1920 suits all three. Just check each platform's maximum length.