TikTok Video Size
The recommended video dimensions and image sizes for TikTok in 2026
TikTok is built around vertical video. The entire app experience - from the For You page to search results - is designed for full-screen 9:16 content. So if you're posting horizontal video or images with the wrong dimensions, you're giving up screen real estate and likely hurting your reach. Here's what you need to know about TikTok's dimensions in 2026.
What size should a TikTok video be?
The ideal TikTok video size is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This fills the entire screen on phones without any black bars or cropping. TikTok also accepts horizontal (1920x1080, 16:9) and square (1080x1080, 1:1) videos, but vertical always performs best - horizontal videos get roughly 40% less engagement because they only fill part of the screen.
For video quality, aim for 30 fps (frames per second) minimum and a bitrate of at least 2500 kbps. TikTok supports up to 60 fps for smoother motion. Use H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec for the best compatibility. Supported formats include MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI, and WebM.
- Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Max file size: 500 MB (web/iOS), 150 MB (Android)
- Duration: Up to 10 minutes (in-app), 60 minutes (uploaded)
- Optimal length: 15-60 seconds
- Frame rate: 24-60 fps (30 fps recommended)
- Formats: MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI, WebM
TikTok safe zones - what gets covered?
This is where a lot of creators get tripped up. TikTok's interface overlays several UI elements on top of your video, and if your text or important visuals sit underneath them, they'll be hidden. Here are the areas to avoid:
- Top ~50 pixels: The phone's status bar (time, battery, signal) covers this area
- Bottom ~150 pixels: Your caption, username, and sound info display here
- Right side ~100 pixels: The like, comment, share, and bookmark buttons sit in this column
That leaves a safe zone of roughly 1080 x 1620 pixels in the center of your video. Put any text overlays, calls to action, or important visual elements within that area. This is especially important if you're adding captions or text to your videos in an external editor before uploading.
TikTok Photo Posts
TikTok's photo mode (photo carousel) lets you share up to 35 images in a single post. Each image should be 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 vertical), matching the standard video dimensions. The supported formats are JPG, PNG, and WebP with a maximum of 20 MB per image.
You can set each photo to display for 2.5 to 10 seconds, and viewers can swipe through them at their own pace. Photo posts have been getting solid reach on TikTok since the feature was expanded - they're a good option when video doesn't make sense for your content.
TikTok Profile Picture Size
Your TikTok profile picture should be at least 200 x 200 pixels, but 500 x 500 pixels or higher is recommended for a crisp display on both mobile and desktop. TikTok shows it as a circle, so keep your face or logo centered and away from the corners. The maximum file size is 10 MB, and TikTok accepts JPG and PNG formats.
TikTok Stories Size
TikTok Stories use the same 1080 x 1920 pixel dimensions as regular videos. Each story segment can be up to 15 seconds long with a maximum file size of 72 MB. Use MP4 or MOV format. Stories disappear after 24 hours, similar to Instagram Stories.
TikTok Video Cover / Thumbnail
When you upload a video to TikTok, you can choose a cover image that shows on your profile grid and in search results. The cover pulls from your video by default, but you can select a specific frame or add text. The dimensions are the same as the video: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16). If you upload a custom cover, use JPG or PNG format under 10 MB.
Your cover image matters more than most people think - it's the first thing someone sees when they visit your profile. A clean cover with readable text and a clear subject will get more taps than a random frame from the middle of your video.
TikTok LIVE
TikTok LIVE streams in full vertical format at 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16). You need at least 1,000 followers to go live. The LIVE thumbnail that shows in the LIVE feed should also be 1080 x 1920 pixels in JPG or PNG format, under 10 MB. TikTok supports streaming up to 1080p resolution.
Vertical orientation is strongly recommended for LIVE - horizontal streams are supported but get less visibility in the LIVE feed since TikTok's layout is built around vertical content. TikTok LIVE also supports multi-guest mode with up to 9 people on screen at once.
TikTok Ad Sizes
TikTok's ad platform supports several placements, but the dimensions are fairly consistent. For In-Feed Ads, the recommended size is 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16). Ads should be between 5 and 60 seconds long, with 9-15 seconds being the sweet spot for engagement. The maximum file size for ads is 500 MB.
TopView Ads (the full-screen ad that appears when you first open TikTok) use the same 1080x1920 dimensions and auto-play with sound. Spark Ads use existing organic video content, so whatever dimensions your original video has will carry over.
- In-Feed Ads: 1080 x 1920px (9:16), 5-60 seconds
- TopView Ads: 1080 x 1920px (9:16), 5-60 seconds, auto-sound
- Carousel Ads: 1080 x 1920px per image, 2-35 images
- Branded Hashtag Challenge banner: 1200 x 627px
- Max ad file size: 500 MB
TikTok Shop Product Images
If you sell products through TikTok Shop, your main product image should be at least 600 x 600 pixels, though 1000 x 1000 pixels is recommended for sharp display. Product images use a 1:1 square aspect ratio, and you can add up to 9 images per listing. Keep each file under 5 MB.
- Video: 1080 x 1920px (9:16)
- Photo posts: 1080 x 1920px per image, up to 35
- Profile picture: 500 x 500px (displayed as circle)
- Stories: 1080 x 1920px, 15 sec max
- Video cover/thumbnail: 1080 x 1920px (9:16)
- LIVE thumbnail: 1080 x 1920px (9:16)
- Safe zone: ~1080 x 1620px (center area)
- Shop products: 1000 x 1000px (1:1)
Related Image Size Guides
Need dimensions for other platforms? Check out these related guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best TikTok video size in 2026?
The best TikTok video size is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. This fills the entire screen on phones. Use MP4 or MOV format with H.264 codec. Videos can be up to 10 minutes when recorded in-app or 60 minutes when uploaded, but 15-60 seconds performs best.
What is the TikTok video safe zone?
TikTok's safe zone is roughly 1080 x 1620 pixels in the center of the screen. Avoid the top 50 pixels (status bar), bottom 150 pixels (caption area), and right 100 pixels (like/comment buttons). Keep all important text and visuals within the safe zone.
How long can TikTok videos be?
Standard TikTok videos can be up to 10 minutes when recorded in-app, or up to 60 minutes when uploaded from a file. The maximum file size is 500 MB on web and iOS, and 150 MB on Android. For best engagement, keep videos between 15-60 seconds.
What size is a TikTok profile picture?
TikTok profile pictures should be at least 200 x 200 pixels, but 500 x 500 pixels or higher is recommended for the sharpest display. TikTok crops the image into a circle, so keep your subject centered. Use JPG or PNG format, under 10 MB.
Can you post horizontal videos on TikTok?
Yes, TikTok accepts horizontal (1920x1080, 16:9) and square (1080x1080, 1:1) videos. But vertical 9:16 video is strongly recommended. Horizontal videos display with black bars above and below, filling only about 60% of the screen, and typically get significantly less engagement.