Quick answer: Use a 9:16 vertical frame at 1080 × 1920 pixels, MP4 (H.264) or MOV, 30 fps. That same file works for Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
The settings to use
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (vertical) |
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 px |
| File type | MP4 or MOV |
| Video codec | H.264 (HEVC/H.265 also accepted) |
| Frame rate | 30 fps (24–60 fps accepted) |
| Audio | AAC, stereo |
Aspect ratio
TikTok fills the whole phone screen with 9:16. Horizontal 16:9 videos get large black bars and look small. Square 1:1 works but wastes space. If your footage is horizontal, reframe it in your editor rather than letting TikTok shrink it.
Resolution and quality
1080p is the sweet spot. TikTok accepts higher-resolution uploads but compresses everything for playback, so a 4K upload does not look 4K to viewers. Read more in 720p vs 1080p vs 4K.
In TikTok's settings, turn on Upload HD (under Data Saver / Upload quality, depending on your version) so the app does not shrink your video before uploading.
Safe zones
The username, caption and buttons cover the bottom and right side of every TikTok. Keep text and faces in the middle of the frame, roughly 150 px away from the top, 400 px from the bottom and 120 px from the right edge on a 1080 × 1920 canvas.
Length and file size
TikTok has steadily raised its limits and allows long uploads. Even so, short videos usually perform best. File size is rarely the problem on a phone; on desktop, keep files reasonable so uploads do not time out.
Same file for Reels and Shorts
Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts use the same 9:16 frame and 1080 × 1920 resolution. Export once without the TikTok watermark and post everywhere. See repost to Reels.
Thumbnail and cover
Pick a cover frame with a clear face or big text. You can check how others' covers look with the TikTok thumbnail downloader.