Social Media Video Sizes 2026: Per-Platform Cheatsheet for Agencies
Social Media Video Sizes for 2026: Complete Platform Guide
Video sizes guide for social media with exact pixels, aspect ratios and dimensions. Get recommended specs for Facebook, Instagram and other platforms in 2025.
Written by Shalini Nagar
Updated June 10, 2026
Table of Contents
- Why Social Media Video Sizes Matter
- Social Media Video Specs Quick Reference
- Facebook and Instagram Video Specs
- TikTok and YouTube Video Guidelines
- LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and Pinterest Video Sizes
- How to Optimize Videos for Each Platform
- Common Mistakes to Avoid with Video Sizing
- Conclusion
- FAQs on Social Media Video Sizes
Why Social Media Video Sizes Matter
Using the right social media video sizes isn’t just a technical detail, but a marketing must. With videos expected to make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic, knowing the correct video sizes for each platform has become a skill every content creator and marketer needs.
Better visibility and engagement
When videos use the right sizes for their platform, they get higher interaction rates as correctly sized videos appear smoothly in feeds and load faster.
Avoiding cropping and quality loss
Incorrect video sizes cause issues that harm viewer perception. Each platform treats non-compliant videos differently, adjusting content in ways that can distort visuals.
Platform Algorithm Preferences
Social media algorithms favor videos that match specifications, keeping audiences engaged and ensuring smoother experiences.
Social Media Video Specs Quick Reference
| Platform | Aspect Ratio | Resolution | Max Duration | Max File Size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Feed | 16:9 to 9:16 | 1280×720 to 720×1280 | 240 minutes | 10GB | MP4, MOV |
| Facebook Reels | 9:16 | 1440×2560 | No limit | 4GB | MP4, MOV |
| Instagram Feed | 4:5 | 1080×1350 | 60 minutes | 4GB | MP4, MOV |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | 15 minutes | 4GB | MP4, MOV |
| TikTok | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | 60 seconds | 500MB | MP4, MOV |
| YouTube Standard | 16:9 | 1920×1080+ | 12 hours | 128GB | MP4, MOV |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | 3 minutes | 15GB | MP4, MOV |
| LinkedIn Feed | 1:2.4 to 2.4:1 | 256×144 to 4096×2304 | 10 minutes | 5GB | MP4, MOV |
| Twitter/X | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1 | 1280×720, 720×1280, 720×720 | 140 seconds* | 512MB* | MP4, MOV |
| 2:3, 4:5, 9:16 | Various | 15 minutes | 2GB | MP4, MOV |
Facebook and Instagram Video Specs
Facebook and Instagram each offer unique video formats:
Facebook In-Feed, Reels, Stories, and Ads
- Facebook In-Feed: 16:9 to 9:16 aspect ratio, max duration 240 minutes, file size 10GB.
- Facebook Reels: 9:16 aspect ratio, full-screen format. No time limit.
- Facebook Stories: Uses full-screen vertical format at 1080×1920 resolution.
Instagram Feed, Reels, Stories, and Carousel Ads
- Instagram Feed: Best at 4:5 format, length up to 60 minutes.
- Instagram Reels: Vertical 9:16 with limits of 90 seconds.
- Instagram Stories: Follows Reels specs, max 60 seconds.
Recommended formats, sizes, and durations
Both platforms share recommended file formats: MP4 and MOV, with best aspect ratios tailored per placement.
TikTok and YouTube Video Guidelines
TikTok In-Feed and Ad specs
- TikTok videos: 9:16 aspect ratio, max file size 500MB.
YouTube Standard, Shorts, and Ad formats
- YouTube videos: Default to 16:9. Supports various resolutions from 240p to 8K.
- YouTube Shorts: 9:16 aspect ratio, max duration 3 minutes.
LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and Pinterest Video Sizes
LinkedIn has expanded video capabilities for organic content and ads:
LinkedIn In-Feed and Ad specs
- In-feed videos: Max duration 10 minutes, max file size 5GB.
Twitter/X landscape, portrait, and square videos
- Supports videos in landscape (16:9), portrait (9:16), and square (1:1) formats, each with specific dimension recommendations.
Pinterest standard and max-width video ads
- Standard-width videos: Aspect ratio must be shorter than 1:2 and taller than 1.91:1.
How to Optimize Videos for Each Platform
Adding captions and CTAs, using custom thumbnails, and scheduling at optimal times enhances video performance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Video Sizing
Uploading the wrong aspect ratios
Misaligning video sizes leads to undesirable cropping and affects viewer perception.
Ignoring file size and format limits
Each platform enforces file size limits that can cause issues if not followed.
Overlooking mobile-first design
Focus on creating mobile-optimized content since the majority of views come from mobile devices.
Conclusion
Staying updated on social media video sizes boosts engagement by ensuring content displays correctly.
FAQs on Social Media Video Sizes
1. What are collection video ads, and when should I use them?
Collection video ads showcase a lead video alongside a gallery of products on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
2. How do YouTube video specs impact ad performance?
Meeting YouTube video specs ensures high-quality ad displays and minimizes buffering issues.
3. What’s the maximum video length allowed on different platforms?
Each platform has varied limits; for example, Facebook allows 240 minutes while TikTok restricts most uploads to 60 seconds.
4. Are Facebook video specs different for ads vs. regular posts?
Yes, ad specs can be stricter to ensure better playback formats.
5. Can I use the same video for multiple placements on Facebook?
It’s advisable to adapt video layouts for different placements to optimize visual appeal.