Short-form video specs by platform
The limits that matter when you cut clips for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels and Facebook Reels. Each value links to where the platform states it.
| Platform | Length | Shape | Resolution | File | Safe zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts Upload spec | Up to 3 minutes[1] | Square or vertical[1] | Up to 1080p when uploading[2] | — | — |
| TikTok (posts) Post length | Recorded in TikTok: up to 10 minutes. Uploaded: up to 60 minutes[3] | — | — | — | — |
| TikTok (In-Feed ads) Ad spec | Up to 10 minutes[4] | 9:16 recommended; 16:9 and 1:1 accepted[4] | At least 540×960 px (vertical)[4] | 500 MB or less; .mp4 .mov .mpeg .3gp .avi[4] | Depends on dimension, caption length and formats; TikTok publishes template files[4] |
| Instagram Reels (ads) Ad spec | 0 seconds to 15 minutes[5] | 9:16[5] | 1440×2560 px[5] | Up to 4 GB; MP4 or MOV, H.264[5] | Keep about 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% each side clear[5] |
| Facebook Reels (ads) Ad spec | No maximum[6] | 9:16 recommended[6] | 1440×2560 px[6] | Up to 4 GB[6] | Keep roughly 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% each side clear[6] |
Why some cells are empty: a dash means we couldn't find the value stated in a platform source we could read and cite. We'd rather leave it blank than guess. Instagram's and Facebook's organic (non-ad) Reels limits are not included for the same reason; the rows above are Meta's published ad specs.
Using this table
Cut to the shortest maximum among the platforms you post to. Keep captions and on-screen text out of the zones the platforms ask you to keep clear; you can check a frame with the safe-zone checker. For the full workflow, see how to clip a podcast into Shorts.
Last checked 2026-09-30. Platforms change these limits; the linked sources are the authority.
Sources
- YouTube Help: Upload YouTube Shorts, read 2026-09-30.
- YouTube Help: Get started creating YouTube Shorts, read 2026-09-30.
- TikTok Support: camera tools and video length, read 2026-09-30.
- TikTok Ads Manager: Auction In-Feed Ads specifications, read 2026-09-30.
- Meta Ads Guide: video ad specs on Instagram Reels, read 2026-09-30.
- Meta Ads Guide: video ad specs on Facebook Reels, read 2026-09-30.