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Staying ahead of social media’s ever-evolving video formats is a challenge that all social media managers require facing up. The capabilities and constraints of accessible video types are constantly shifting, but having an understanding of social media video specs can help ensure you make the most of your videos.
To maximize the impact of your video marketing efforts, it’s essential to use the correct video specifications for each social media platform.
In this article, we’ll provide you with the most up-to-date and optimal video specifications for each platform, giving you everything you need to succeed in your video marketing strategy.
Video marketing has become an indispensable aspect of contemporary marketing strategies. As a result, 92% of marketers acknowledge the significance of video in their campaigns.
It’s evident that video is set to dominate the marketing world, spanning television, social media, websites, and digital entertainment platforms.
While experts suggest that social media video specs can vary slightly depending on the platform chosen, marketers need to recognize the significance of adhering to proper video specifications. Failing to do so may cause low engagement and view rates, hampering the success of your campaign.
You can easily elevate your marketing efforts and attain your business goals by leveraging the appropriate video format for your target platform.
Related: Social media engagement: 10 easy ways to improve it
Getting your video just right for optimal viewing on Facebook can be tricky!
With the different types of videos you can share, like in newsfeeds or a messenger inbox, each has its specific format- but don’t worry.
Nailing down the perfect delivery will help ensure whatever campaign goal you have achieved without technical hiccups.
So, dial it up correctly for maximum impact with our Facebook Video Specs!
Related: Best time to post on Facebook in 2025
The Regular Feed View on Facebook refers to the most commonly shared videos that appear on a user’s feed. These videos can be in either landscape or portrait orientation.
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Create captivating 360-degree videos to immerse your audience fully. Simply drag your finger to explore the complete surroundings.
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Here’s how to upload a 360 video on Facebook.
360 video metadata provides additional information about the video file that helps players display the video correctly, allowing viewers to look around in any direction.
It includes information about the camera placement, lens type, projection format, stitching information, and other necessary details.
Here’s how to upload a 360 video on Facebook.
The Facebook Desktop Newsfeed add video is just like Facebook videos. It appears on the user’s timeline and is available in landscape or square-style format.
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Facebook carousel video ads are 10 times more likely to be clicked compared to regular ads. They allow brands to showcase multiple images or videos with a CTA link and offer a unique scrolling style for increased brand consistency and content viewing.
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Collection video ads are ideal for displaying products that come in multiple colors, such as clothing. These ads have been particularly useful for the retail sector.
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When users engage with a Canvas ad, an autoplay video with similar specifications may begin playing within the ad.
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Facebook’s Slideshow videos cater to advertisers targeting audiences with slower internet connections. They utilize a slideshow format of images or videos for the ad display.
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Facebook’s Stories feature is a fun and exciting way to share short-lived photo or video updates that vanish after 24 hours. Brands can also advertise through Stories ads that appear between user-generated content.
While most users may post spontaneous and casual Stories using their smartphone’s camera, the guidelines for this format remain consistent for both organic and paid content.
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Image:
Video:
Related: Ultimate guide to schedule Facebook posts, reels & stories
Cross-posting your Instagram Reels to Facebook offers the convenience of expanding your video’s viewership and reach. This allows your content to appear organically in both feeds, but often receives priority placement on Facebook.
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Recommended video formats for upload are MP4 and MOV.
Instagram currently supports three video formats: square, vertical, and horizontal. While all three formats are allowed on the platform, a square video format is the most recommended for marketers as it is viewable on both desktop and mobile devices.
Square videos are also less likely to crowd the feed, unlike vertical videos which can take up more space. Let’s get right in!
Instagram’s recent algorithm changes have made it more challenging for organic content to reach a broad audience. However, there are still opportunities to be seized on the platform, especially with the popularity of Instagram videos.
If you’re wondering about the ideal length and size of Instagram videos, there are a few things to keep in mind.
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Character limits
Did you know that Instagram advertising revenue has skyrocketed in recent years?
One of the reasons for this success is the seamless integration of video ads into the platform.
Thanks to Instagram’s consistent aspect ratio and feed specs, video ads blend in seamlessly with organic posts – making them more engaging and effective than ever before.
One of the key factors contributing to Instagram’s advertising success is the platform’s video ad aspect ratio.
Unlike other social media platforms, Instagram’s video ads are designed to seamlessly blend in with organic posts, thereby ensuring that they do not appear intrusive or disruptive to users.
Instagram video formats required are the same as Instagram Feed.
Related: What’s the best time to post on Instagram in 2025?
The small dots beneath an image on Instagram signify a carousel post, which is an ideal format for step-by-step tutorials or detailed posts that require 2-10 images or videos to explain a feature. By using carousel ads, businesses can showcase more of their products than they would be able to in a single image, making it an effective growth hack for Instagram marketing.
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Engage your audience with Instagram Story – disappearing after 24 hours!
Utilizing video for Instagram stories can be tricky, but with a few tips you’ll be able to get the most out of your ad. For example, uploading in highest resolution is key and don’t forget about leaving some extra space at the top or bottom so nothing gets cut off.
Preparing with these details ensures that viewers see everything as intended on any device size – maximizing impactful viewing experience!
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A reel on Instagram is a short video feature (15-60 seconds) that allows users to create and share creative videos with music, text, and effects.
Reels appear on a dedicated tab and the Explore page, making it easy for users to discover and interact with new content. It’s a fun and creative way to connect with others on the platform.
Related: How to schedule Instagram posts, reels & stories in 2025
TikTok has taken the social media world by storm, leaving many marketers scrambling to keep up with its latest trends and strategies. But don’t worry – with its user-friendly platform and emphasis on easy video creation and sharing, TikTok is the perfect place to get started with video marketing. With the help of TikTok video downloader, you can also download TikTok videos for free.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the game, TikTok offers endless opportunities to create engaging video content and connect with your audience. The possibilities are endless, with a range of trends and challenges to inspire your creativity.
Related: What is the best time to post on TikTok?
Regarding video specs, TikTok keeps things simple with mobile-friendly dimensions, making it easy to create and edit videos on the go.
Plus, if you’re repurposing video content from other sources, you’ll be glad to know that TikTok allows longer videos (up to 60 seconds) when uploaded from external sources.
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TikTok ads are a hot new opportunity that you won’t want to miss!
With in-feed options that blend seamlessly with organic content, TikTok ads provide a unique chance to engage with users in a fun, creative way.
And to make the most of this exciting new platform, be sure to check out TikTok’s business center for the latest tips and insights on optimizing your ad content.
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Valued at $16 billion, X (Twitter) is a widely used social media platform to share content ideas and connect with people from all walks of life. Its popularity is particularly high in the sports and entertainment industry.
For marketers, the goal is to capture user attention and generate leads. Twitter is optimized for videos captured in unique ways, such as on a mobile device.
Related: What is the best time to post on X (Twitter) in 2025?
X (Twitter) users, listen up! When it comes to posting videos on X (Twitter), you have two options: landscape or portrait.
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Ready to take your X (Twitter) video game to the next level?
If you’re thinking of promoting your video through paid ads, here’s some great news: you can use the same exact formats as your organic videos!
It’s important to stick to the same specifications for both organic and paid videos to maximize visibility and attract more eyeballs.
Snapchat has an estimated 293 million daily users and a whopping 300+ million monthly users. With its popularity soaring among younger audiences, it’s a fantastic platform to unleash your video marketing prowess.
But before you start, there are some restrictions you need to be aware of. Here’s everything you need to know about the media content guidelines on Snapchat.
If you’re on this particular channel, you’ll know that this video format is the most common way users communicate with each other through the app.
But did you know that your business can also post videos to its story, giving others a sneak peek into what your brand is up to?
All you need to do is follow these specifications:
Learn more about how to get the most out of Snapchat Marketing.
Looking to make a splash with your video ads on Snapchat?
The platform currently offers one main video format, the long-form video ad, which plays in between viewing users’ Stories. While there are partner opportunities to put videos within Snapchat’s discovery option, most dimensions remain the same.
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YouTube is a powerhouse when it comes to video content. But to make sure your videos are seen and heard, you need to follow certain video specifications.
If you want to keep your audience engaged, your video should have a compelling title, a descriptive and concise description, and relevant tags.
With over 5 billion monthly active users and over 1 billion hours of videos watched daily, YouTube is a platform that can help you reach a vast audience with your content.
So, paying attention to the recommended video specifications can make a big difference in how your content is received by viewers.
Related: Best time to post videos on YouTube in 2025
Standard YouTube video refers to the default format used for videos uploaded to the YouTube platform. This format typically includes video and audio content, as well as metadata such as video title, description, tags, and thumbnail image.
Standard YouTube videos can be viewed by anyone with internet access, and they can also be shared or embedded on other websites.
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Skippable video ad: Viewers are allowed to skip ads after 5 seconds. This ad can be inserted before, during, or after the main video. If you turn on this option, you may see a combination of skippable and bumper ads play back to back. Advertisers use this to monetize views.
Non-skippable video ad: These video ads (for 15 seconds) must be watched before users can start their video. These ads can appear before, during, or after the main video.
Bumper video ads: These are non-skippable video ads that are played before the content. Usually consists of 6 seconds, which are optimized for mobile views. If you turn on this option, you may see a combination of skippable and bumper ads play back to back.
Mid-roll video ad: You can enable ads during YouTube videos that are 10 minutes or longer. These are skippable videos, but users must watch 30 seconds or the entire ad (whichever is shorter). By default, mid-roll video ads are placed with natural breaks in your videos to balance viewer experience and monetization potential for you. Depending on the device you’re using, your ad experience varies. For instance, on the desktop, viewers get a 5-second countdown before a mid-roll advertisement appears.
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Imagine you’re watching a fascinating video on YouTube, and suddenly, you notice something on the right side of the screen that catches your attention. That’s a YouTube display ad!
They appear to the right of the main video you’re watching or above the list of suggested videos.
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Have you heard about YouTube shorts? It’s a new way to watch, create, and discover short-form videos that recently made its debut on the platform.
The best part? You can capture and edit your own Shorts right from your smartphone, or upload them through the standard upload process on your desktop or mobile device. It’s never been easier to unleash your creativity and share it with the world.
Why use Shorts, you ask? Well, people all over the world are loving short-form videos, and using Shorts can help you reach even wider audiences with your content.
Whether you want to entertain, educate, or just make people feel good, Shorts are a fantastic new way to do it.
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LinkedIn has become the optimal platform for video marketing with video posts gaining 300 million impressions in just one year.
78% of video marketers plan to include videos on their LinkedIn effective marketing strategy. The platform’s professional audience is ideal for showcasing your expertise and building your brand.
P.S. We have just the right tool for you if you’re looking for a free LinkedIn video downloader!
Related: Best time to post on LinkedIn
LinkedIn has specific requirements for the format of video content that can be uploaded to their platform.
LinkedIn’s B2B targeting feature allows marketers and brands to promote their content and pages to a highly specific audience, based on traits like job title, seniority, company name, and industry.
Video content is an effective way to engage with this audience and showcase your brand or products.
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Get ready to dive into a world of inspiration and creativity! Pinterest is the ultimate platform for aesthetically pleasing and visually stunning content. It’s the perfect place to discover new ideas and creative concepts, all in one convenient online pinboard.
And now, with the rise of video marketing, Pinterest is taking things to the next level. With a user base of over 450 million people, video content on Pinterest is becoming increasingly popular.
With both standard-width and max-width video formats available, Pinterest offers a range of options for creating visually engaging content.
Related: A complete guide to schedule Pinterest pins in 2025
By sharing videos on Pinterest, you can increase traffic to your website and drive engagement with your brand.
Whether you’re showcasing your products, sharing your expertise, or simply entertaining your audience, video content is a powerful tool for building your brand and reaching new customers.
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There are two video formats for Pinterest promoted videos: square, and vertical. Advertisers can select their preferable style in Ads Manager.
Specifications or requirements for the promoted video are the same as the shared video.
Ultimately, the most important takeaway from this blog post is that understanding and maintaining social media video specs are essential components in developing a successful social media marketing strategy.
Effective videos often involve precise formatting and lengths to make sure your message is being portrayed correctly. Without acquiring and abiding by good video specification guidelines, you’re compromising your video’s quality and success – making it virtually impossible to benefit from its potential.
With ContentStudio (one of the best social media management tools out there), you can easily compose, upload, schedule, plan and automate your marketing across multiple social media networks from one dashboard. Try it free today.
The standard video size for social media varies across platforms, but commonly used dimensions include 1080×1920 (vertical), 1920×1080 (horizontal), and 1080×1080 (square).
The best video format for social media is typically MP4 due to its widespread compatibility, efficient compression, and high-quality playback across various devices and platforms.
Yes, 1920×1080 is an ideal resolution for Facebook posts as it aligns with the platform’s recommended aspect ratio and provides high-quality viewing on both desktop and mobile devices.
The bitrate for social media video can vary depending on factors such as resolution and platform requirements. However, a common recommendation is to use a bitrate of 2,500 to 4,000 kbps for HD video (720p or 1080p) to ensure optimal quality and efficient streaming.
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