TikTok Video Sizes & Dimensions: Every Format Explained


TikTok is strict about video quality. Upload a video at the wrong resolution or aspect ratio and it gets letterboxed, stretched, or compressed into a blurry mess that the algorithm buries. Unlike platforms that gracefully handle multiple formats, TikTok is built for one thing: full-screen vertical video.
This guide covers every TikTok dimension you need in 2026 — feed videos, photo carousels, Stories, ads, and profile images. Bookmark it for quick reference.
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Quick Reference Table
Every TikTok format at a glance. Detailed specs follow below.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | Max Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed video | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | 287 MB (iOS), 72 MB (Android), 500 MB (web) | 60 minutes |
| Photo carousel | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | 500 MB total | N/A |
| Stories | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | 287 MB | 60 seconds |
| Profile photo | 200×200 | 1:1 | — | N/A |
| In-Feed ad | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | 500 MB | 60 seconds |
| TopView ad | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | 500 MB | 60 seconds |
Key takeaway: 1080×1920 at 9:16 is the standard for virtually everything on TikTok. Memorise those numbers and you are covered for 90% of use cases.
Standard TikTok Video Dimensions
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1080×1920 px |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 |
| Min resolution | 720×1280 px |
| Max resolution | 4K (downscaled to 1080p on upload) |
| Frame rate | 24, 25, 30, or 60 FPS |
| Format | MP4, MOV |
| Max file size | 72 MB (Android), 287.6 MB (iOS), 500 MB (web) |
| Max duration | 60 minutes |
1080×1920 at 30 FPS is the sweet spot. This gives you full HD quality without an unnecessarily large file. TikTok accepts 4K uploads but downscales them to 1080p, so there is no benefit to uploading above that resolution.
The file size limits vary by device. If you are uploading from a phone and hitting the 72 MB Android limit, upload from the web app instead — it allows up to 500 MB. For videos between 3 and 10 minutes, TikTok allows files up to 2 GB via the web uploader.
While TikTok supports up to 60 minutes, the algorithm favours shorter content. Videos between 21 and 34 seconds tend to get the strongest distribution, according to multiple creator studies. For scheduling strategies, see our guide on how to schedule TikToks.
PostEverywhere's TikTok scheduler lets you upload once and schedule posts for the best time — no need to be at your phone when your audience is most active.
TikTok Photo and Carousel Dimensions
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended dimensions | 1080×1920 px |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (recommended), 1:1 and 4:5 also supported |
| Max images | 35 per carousel |
| Min images | 2 per carousel |
| Max total file size | 500 MB |
| Format | JPG, JPEG, PNG |
TikTok photo carousels (also called slideshows) let you share multiple images with background music. Viewers swipe through the images horizontally.
Vertical 9:16 images get the best display. While TikTok accepts square (1:1) and portrait (4:5) images, anything other than 9:16 gets letterboxed with black bars — which looks unintentional and reduces engagement.
All images in a carousel should use the same dimensions for a cohesive look. Design your slides at 1080×1920 for edge-to-edge display without any cropping or padding.
For tips on creating engaging carousels, read our guide on how to make TikTok slideshows. You can create carousel images from scratch with the AI image generator and preview them with the grid previewer.
Schedule TikTok carousels in advance. PostEverywhere lets you plan photo carousels alongside your video content in one content calendar. Start free →
TikTok Stories Dimensions
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1080×1920 px |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 |
| Max duration | 60 seconds (video) |
| Format | MP4, MOV (video), JPG, PNG (image) |
TikTok Stories use the same 1080×1920 canvas as regular videos. They appear at the top of followers' feeds and disappear after 24 hours.
Safe zones: Keep important text and visuals away from the top 150px (where TikTok shows the username and close button) and the bottom 200px (where reply and navigation elements sit). Design within the centre 1080×1570px area for the cleanest display.
Stories are a good format for behind-the-scenes content, polls, and quick updates that do not need to live permanently on your profile. Use them alongside your scheduled feed content for a well-rounded TikTok strategy.
Profile Photo Dimensions
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 200×200 px |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1 |
| Display shape | Circle |
| Format | JPG, PNG |
TikTok profile photos are small — just 200×200 minimum. The image displays as a circle, so centre your logo or face and keep it away from the edges. For extra sharpness, upload at 400×400 and let TikTok downscale.
If you manage accounts across multiple platforms, a social media scheduler helps you keep branding consistent. PostEverywhere connects to TikTok plus Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, X, and Threads.
TikTok Ad Dimensions
In-Feed Ads
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1080×1920 px |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 |
| Max duration | 60 seconds (5-15 seconds recommended) |
| Max file size | 500 MB |
| Frame rate | 30 FPS recommended |
| Format | MP4, MOV, AVI, MPEG |
In-Feed ads appear in users' For You feeds and look like organic content. According to TikTok's ad specs, vertical 9:16 is required for full-screen display. Horizontal or square ads get letterboxed and perform significantly worse.
TopView Ads
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1080×1920 px |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 |
| Duration | 5-60 seconds |
| Format | MP4, MOV |
TopView ads display immediately when users open TikTok — full screen with no competing content for the first few seconds. Keep text and logos out of the top 120px and bottom 120px, as those areas are covered by TikTok's UI once it fades in.
Carousel Ads
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Image dimensions | 1200×628 (horizontal), 640×640 (square), or 720×1280 (vertical) |
| Max images | 10 |
| Max file size | 100 KB per image |
| Format | JPG, JPEG, PNG |
Carousel ads are image-based and support up to 10 cards. Unlike organic photo carousels which work best at 9:16, ad carousels accept horizontal and square formats for the Audience Network placement. For TikTok-native placements, vertical 720×1280 performs best.
Full ad specifications are available in TikTok's business help centre and carousel ad documentation.
File Size and Duration Limits
Here is a complete breakdown of TikTok's file limits by upload method:
| Upload Method | Max File Size | Max Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Android app | 72 MB | 60 minutes |
| iOS app | 287.6 MB | 60 minutes |
| Web browser | 500 MB (under 3 min), 2 GB (3-10 min) | 60 minutes |
| TikTok Ads Manager | 500 MB | 60 seconds (ads) |
The Android file size limit catches many creators off guard. If your edited video exceeds 72 MB, upload via the web browser or desktop app instead. Alternatively, reduce file size by exporting at 1080p instead of 4K and using H.264 codec at a moderate bitrate (8-12 Mbps).
For video duration, TikTok's algorithm does not penalise longer videos outright, but completion rate heavily influences distribution. A 15-second video that 80% of viewers finish will outperform a 3-minute video that most people abandon after 10 seconds. Plan your content length around the story you are telling, not the maximum limit.
How to Avoid Quality Loss on Upload
TikTok compresses every video during upload. You cannot stop it, but you can minimise the damage:
Upload at exactly 1080×1920. Uploading higher resolutions forces TikTok to downscale, which adds extra compression. Match the target resolution precisely.
Use MP4 with H.264 codec. This is TikTok's native format. Other codecs get transcoded during upload, which introduces another round of quality loss.
Export at 30 FPS for standard content, 60 FPS for fast motion. Dance videos, sports, and action content benefit from 60 FPS. For talking-head or slideshow content, 30 FPS is cleaner.
Target a bitrate of 8-12 Mbps. Too low and the video looks blocky. Too high and TikTok's compressor works harder, often producing worse results than a well-encoded moderate-bitrate file.
Avoid re-uploading downloaded TikToks. If you download a video from TikTok and re-upload it, it gets compressed twice. Always keep your original export file and upload from that.
Turn on high-quality uploads in TikTok settings. Go to Settings > Content & Display > Data Saver and make sure "Upload HD" is enabled. This tells TikTok to preserve more quality during processing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best TikTok video size?
The best TikTok video size is 1080×1920 pixels with a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. This gives you full HD quality at the exact dimensions TikTok is designed for — no letterboxing, no cropping, no unnecessary compression.
What is TikTok's maximum file size?
It depends on the upload method. Android allows 72 MB, iOS allows 287.6 MB, and web uploads allow 500 MB (or 2 GB for videos between 3-10 minutes). If you are hitting file size limits, upload from the web browser.
Can I upload horizontal videos to TikTok?
Technically yes, but they get letterboxed with black bars above and below. The algorithm and viewers strongly prefer vertical 9:16 content. If you must repurpose landscape footage, crop or reframe it to 9:16 for TikTok.
What frame rate should I use for TikTok?
30 FPS works well for most content. Use 60 FPS for fast-motion videos like dance, sports, or transitions where smooth motion matters. TikTok supports up to 60 FPS.
What are TikTok photo carousel dimensions?
TikTok photo carousels should use 1080×1920 pixels (9:16) for full-screen display. You can include 2-35 images per carousel. Square and 4:5 images are technically accepted but get letterboxed with black bars.
How long can a TikTok video be?
TikTok videos can be up to 60 minutes long. However, the algorithm rewards completion rate, so shorter videos (15-60 seconds) typically get broader distribution. Match your video length to your content — do not pad for the sake of hitting a time target.
Dimensions in this guide are verified as of March 2026. TikTok updates its specs periodically — we update this page when they do. For dimensions across every platform, see our social media image sizes guide. For TikTok strategy, check out our TikTok trends 2026 breakdown and scheduling guide.

Founder & CEO of PostEverywhere. Writing about social media strategy, publishing workflows, and analytics that help brands grow faster.