Every platform has different aspect ratio requirements in 2025, and choosing the wrong one costs you reach, engagement, and quality. This guide breaks down exactly what dimensions YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Facebook expect for long-form, Shorts, Reels, and feed posts—so you can plan shoots, convert existing content, and export optimized files without guessing.
Table of Contents
Category hub: /creator/video
Quick Start
- Identify your primary platform(s) and content type
- Open the Aspect Ratio Converter
- Upload your source video and check its native dimensions
- Select target aspect ratio based on platform requirements (reference table below)
- Preview output and validate framing with safe zones
- Export at recommended resolution for your platform
Platform Aspect Ratios Overview 2025
Platform requirements vary by content format. YouTube alone uses three different aspect ratios depending on whether you're uploading long-form, Shorts, or Community posts. Instagram splits between Feed, Reels, and Stories. Understanding these distinctions prevents reformatting surprises and ensures your content displays correctly across devices.
YouTube (Long-form: 16:9, Shorts: 9:16, Community: 1:1)
YouTube long-form videos require 16:9 horizontal format. Anything else displays with black bars. YouTube Shorts accepts only 9:16 vertical (minimum 1080×1920). Community tab posts work best at 1:1 square (1080×1080). If you upload horizontal content to Shorts, it will display with bars on the sides, which reduces engagement. Recommended resolution for long-form is 1920×1080 or 3840×2160 (4K); for Shorts, 1080×1920.
TikTok (9:16 only, tolerates 1:1)
TikTok strongly favors 9:16 vertical video (1080×1920). The platform technically accepts 1:1 square (1080×1080), but square videos display with padding and perform worse algorithmically. Horizontal 16:9 content is heavily penalized with low distribution. If you must use square, ensure your subject is centered. For maximum reach, always export native 9:16 for TikTok.
Instagram (Feed: 4:5 or 1:1, Reels: 9:16, Stories: 9:16)
Instagram Feed posts support multiple aspect ratios but optimize for 4:5 portrait (1080×1350), which takes up more screen real estate than 1:1 square (1080×1080). Reels and Stories require 9:16 vertical (1080×1920). If you post horizontal content to Feed, Instagram crops it aggressively to fit, often cutting important elements. Use Thumbnail Resizer to preview safe zones before posting.
LinkedIn (16:9 or 1:1, vertical discouraged)
LinkedIn audiences expect horizontal 16:9 (1920×1080) or square 1:1 (1080×1080) content. Vertical 9:16 videos appear with large black bars on desktop, where most LinkedIn viewing happens. For professional B2B content, stick to 16:9. For social-style posts or mobile-first content, 1:1 works. LinkedIn supports up to 10 minutes for native video uploads.
Twitter/X (16:9 or 1:1, vertical supported)
Twitter/X recommends 16:9 horizontal (1920×1080) or 1:1 square (1080×1080). The platform technically supports 9:16 vertical, but timeline cropping and autoplay behavior favor horizontal or square formats. Videos longer than 2:20 require Twitter Blue. For maximum compatibility across feeds and embedded tweets, export 16:9 at 1280×720 or 1920×1080.
Facebook (Feed: 1:1 or 4:5, Reels: 9:16, Stories: 9:16)
Facebook Feed videos work best at 1:1 square (1080×1080) or 4:5 portrait (1080×1350). Horizontal 16:9 videos display smaller in feeds. Facebook Reels and Stories require 9:16 vertical (1080×1920) to fill the screen. For multi-platform posting, 1:1 square is the safest compromise for Facebook and Instagram feeds, then export separate 9:16 versions for Reels and Stories.
Standard Aspect Ratios Explained
Understanding what each aspect ratio means and when platforms use it helps you plan shoots, frame subjects correctly, and convert existing content without losing quality or composition. Here are the five most common aspect ratios in creator workflows.
16:9 (Horizontal/Landscape)
16:9 is the industry standard for YouTube long-form, TV, monitors, and professional video production. It provides the widest horizontal field of view, ideal for tutorials, interviews, gaming, and narrative content. Resolution options: 1280×720 (HD), 1920×1080 (Full HD), 3840×2160 (4K). Use 16:9 when your primary platform is YouTube, you're filming multiple subjects side-by-side, or your content includes wide-screen demonstrations.
9:16 (Vertical/Portrait)
9:16 is mobile-first format for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Stories. It fills the entire smartphone screen vertically, maximizing engagement on mobile devices where 80%+ of social video viewing happens. Standard resolution: 1080×1920. Use 9:16 when your primary audience is on TikTok or Reels, you're creating short-form vertical content, or you're optimizing for mobile-only viewing.
1:1 (Square)
1:1 square format (1080×1080) is the multi-platform compromise. It displays consistently across Instagram Feed, Facebook Feed, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube Community posts without cropping or bars. Use 1:1 when posting the same video to multiple feed-based platforms simultaneously, or when your content doesn't require horizontal or vertical framing. Trade-off: square videos don't maximize screen space on mobile or desktop.
4:5 (Tall Portrait)
4:5 portrait (1080×1350) is Instagram Feed's optimal aspect ratio, taking up 20% more screen space than 1:1 square. It provides more vertical height than square without requiring full 9:16 vertical framing. Use 4:5 for Instagram-first content, product showcases where you want vertical space without losing horizontal context, or static posts that need to stand out in crowded feeds. Not ideal for cross-platform posting.
21:9 (Ultra-Wide/Cinematic)
21:9 ultra-wide format (2560×1080 or 3440×1440) is cinematic but niche. It provides immersive horizontal framing for narrative content but displays with black bars on most platforms and devices. Use 21:9 only for artistic/cinematic projects where the wide frame enhances storytelling. For social platforms, export down to 16:9 instead.
Decision Framework: Choosing the Right Ratio
Choosing an aspect ratio starts with two questions: What's your primary platform, and what type of content are you creating? These two factors determine whether you should shoot native, convert, or create multiple versions. Use this framework to avoid rework.
Content Type Mapping
Tutorial/Educational: Use 16:9 if screen recording or demonstrating software; use 9:16 if talking-head with minimal UI. Vlog/Talking Head: Use 9:16 for TikTok/Reels; 16:9 for YouTube. Product Demo: Use 1:1 or 4:5 for feeds; 9:16 for Stories/Reels. Entertainment/Narrative: Use 16:9 for YouTube long-form; 9:16 for Shorts. Behind-the-Scenes: Use 9:16 for Stories/Reels; 1:1 for feed posts.
Platform Priority Strategy
If you have one primary platform, optimize for that platform's preferred aspect ratio and accept sub-optimal display on secondary platforms. If you distribute equally across multiple platforms, choose 1:1 as a universal compromise or create custom exports per platform. Use the Aspect Ratio Converter to export multiple versions from a single source file.
Multi-Platform Optimization
Three strategies for multi-platform creators: (1) Universal 1:1: Shoot and export square for all platforms—consistent but wastes screen space. (2) Primary + Secondary: Optimize for your largest platform (e.g., TikTok at 9:16), accept bars/cropping on others. (3) Custom Exports: Create platform-specific versions (16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok/Reels, 1:1 for feeds)—most work but best results. Most professional creators use strategy 3.
Resolution Recommendations by Platform
Aspect ratio and resolution are different. Aspect ratio is the width-to-height proportion; resolution is the total pixel count. Here are minimum and recommended resolutions for each aspect ratio across major platforms. Always export at your source resolution or lower—never upscale.
16:9 Horizontal Recommendations
Minimum: 1280×720 (720p HD) — Acceptable for most platforms but may appear soft on 4K displays. Recommended: 1920×1080 (1080p Full HD) — Standard for YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, looks sharp on all devices. Premium: 3840×2160 (4K) — For future-proofing and professional work; use only if your source footage is native 4K.
9:16 Vertical Recommendations
Minimum: 720×1280 — TikTok and Instagram accept this but compression is noticeable on newer phones. Recommended: 1080×1920 — Standard for Shorts, Reels, TikTok, Stories. Looks sharp on all mobile devices. High-Quality: 1440×2560 or 2160×3840 — For devices with high-DPI screens; rarely necessary unless your audience has flagship phones.
1:1 Square Recommendations
Standard: 1080×1080 — Universal for Instagram Feed, Facebook Feed, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube Community. Higher resolutions (1440×1440, 2160×2160) provide no visible benefit on social platforms due to compression. Stick to 1080×1080 unless you have a specific reason to go higher.
4:5 Portrait Recommendations
Standard: 1080×1350 — Instagram Feed optimal. No need to go higher; the platform compresses aggressively. Use this resolution for all 4:5 Instagram Feed posts.
Common Scenarios & Solutions
Here are four real-world creator scenarios with platform-priority strategies and aspect ratio recommendations. Use these as templates for your own workflow.
Scenario 1: YouTube-First Creator (Long-form + Shorts)
Primary Platform: YouTube long-form. Secondary: YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels. Strategy: Shoot in 16:9 at 1920×1080 for long-form. When creating Shorts, either (a) crop the center of 16:9 footage to 9:16 using Aspect Ratio Converter, or (b) film Shorts separately in 9:16 native. For repurposing long-form into Shorts, use Shorts Clip Finder to identify quotable moments, then convert to 9:16.
Scenario 2: TikTok/Reels-First Creator
Primary Platform: TikTok, Instagram Reels. Secondary: Instagram Feed, YouTube Shorts. Strategy: Shoot native 9:16 at 1080×1920. For Instagram Feed, export a 1:1 center crop at 1080×1080 (loses top/bottom). For YouTube long-form, accept that vertical content will have bars on desktop or consider creating horizontal versions separately. Most mobile-first creators skip YouTube long-form entirely and focus on Shorts.
Scenario 3: Multi-Platform Brand (Equal Priority)
Platforms: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter. Strategy: Create three versions per video: (1) 16:9 at 1920×1080 for YouTube long-form, LinkedIn, Twitter; (2) 9:16 at 1080×1920 for TikTok, Reels, Stories; (3) 1:1 at 1080×1080 for Instagram Feed, Facebook Feed. Use the Aspect Ratio Converter to batch export all three from one source file. This maximizes reach but requires consistent framing during filming.
Scenario 4: Educational/B2B Content (YouTube + LinkedIn)
Primary Platforms: YouTube, LinkedIn. Secondary: Twitter, website embeds. Strategy: Shoot 16:9 at 1920×1080. Skip TikTok and vertical platforms entirely—your audience expects horizontal professional content. For LinkedIn, consider creating 1:1 square teasers (30-60 seconds) that link to full YouTube videos. Use Description Builder to create consistent CTAs across platforms.
Examples: Multi-Platform Export Strategy
Professional creators shoot once and export multiple versions optimized for each platform. Here's a step-by-step workflow using the Aspect Ratio Converter to turn one source video into three platform-ready files.
Step 1: Shoot with Multi-Ratio Framing in Mind
Frame your subject in the center third of your shot with critical elements (face, text, products) in the safe zone. Leave dead space on the sides for 16:9, top/bottom for 9:16, and edges for 1:1. This "universal framing" approach ensures no important content gets cropped when converting. Use the Thumbnail Resizer safe-area overlay during filming to preview where different aspect ratios will crop.
Step 2: Upload Source to Aspect Ratio Converter
Open the Aspect Ratio Converter, upload your highest-resolution source file (1920×1080 or higher), and preview how different aspect ratios affect framing. Validate that your subject stays centered and nothing critical gets cut off in any ratio.
Step 3: Export Three Versions
Export three files: (1) 16:9 at 1920×1080 for YouTube long-form, LinkedIn, Twitter; (2) 9:16 at 1080×1920 for TikTok, Reels, Shorts, Stories; (3) 1:1 at 1080×1080 for Instagram Feed, Facebook Feed. Label files clearly (e.g., video-16x9.mp4, video-9x16.mp4, video-1x1.mp4) to avoid upload errors. Use consistent naming conventions across your content library.
Step 4: Match Thumbnails to Video Ratios
Create matching thumbnails for each aspect ratio. YouTube needs 16:9 (1280×720), Shorts needs 9:16, Instagram Feed needs 1:1 or 4:5. Use the Thumbnail Resizer to export thumbnails at the same aspect ratio as your video to prevent viewer confusion when clicking through.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
- Forcing 16:9 on TikTok → Platform culture and algorithm penalize horizontal content. Use 9:16 vertical or at minimum 1:1 square to maintain engagement.
- Using 9:16 on LinkedIn → Professional audiences expect horizontal content. Stick to 16:9 or 1:1 for LinkedIn; vertical videos display with large black bars on desktop.
- Not accounting for safe zones → Text, faces, or products positioned at frame edges get cropped during aspect ratio conversion. Frame subjects in the center third and validate with safe-area overlays.
- Upscaling low-res sources → Never upscale 720p to 1080p or 1080p to 4K to meet platform requirements. Upscaling introduces blur and artifacts. Export at native resolution or lower.
- Mismatched thumbnail and video ratio → Thumbnail shows 16:9 but video is 9:16 creates viewer confusion. Match thumbnail aspect ratio to video for seamless experience.
- Posting same 1:1 video everywhere → While convenient, 1:1 wastes screen space on mobile (9:16 platforms) and desktop (16:9 platforms). Create custom exports for best results.
FAQs
- What aspect ratio should I use for YouTube in 2025?
- Use 16:9 (1920×1080) for YouTube long-form videos, 9:16 (1080×1920) for YouTube Shorts, and 1:1 (1080×1080) for Community tab posts. Long-form requires horizontal; Shorts requires vertical. The platform will add black bars if you upload the wrong ratio.
- Can I post 16:9 videos on TikTok or Instagram Reels?
- Technically yes, but both platforms heavily penalize horizontal content. TikTok and Reels are optimized for 9:16 vertical viewing. Horizontal videos display with large padding and receive lower algorithmic distribution. Use 9:16 for maximum reach on these platforms.
- What's the difference between 9:16 and 4:5?
- 9:16 is full vertical (1080×1920) for Stories, Reels, Shorts—fills entire mobile screen. 4:5 is tall portrait (1080×1350) for Instagram Feed—taller than square but not full-screen. Use 9:16 for immersive mobile content; use 4:5 for Instagram Feed posts where you want more vertical space than 1:1 square.
- Should I create separate videos for each platform or use one ratio everywhere?
- Depends on your resources and goals. Using 1:1 square everywhere is convenient but wastes screen space and reduces engagement. Creating custom exports (16:9 for YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok/Reels, 1:1 for feeds) maximizes reach and quality but requires more work. Most professional creators export 2-3 versions per video.
- Which aspect ratio works best for multi-platform posting without rework?
- 1:1 square (1080×1080) is the universal compromise. It displays consistently on Instagram Feed, Facebook Feed, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube Community without cropping or bars. Trade-off: square doesn't maximize screen space on any platform. For best results, prioritize your largest platform and accept sub-optimal display on others.
- Do aspect ratio requirements change between mobile and desktop viewing?
- Platforms use the same aspect ratios for mobile and desktop, but display and cropping differ. TikTok, Reels, and Shorts are mobile-first (9:16 fills screen on phones, shows bars on desktop). YouTube long-form is desktop-friendly (16:9 fills monitors, shows bars on phones). Always preview on the device where your audience primarily watches.
- What resolution should I export for each aspect ratio?
- 16:9 → 1920×1080 (Full HD); 9:16 → 1080×1920 (vertical HD); 1:1 → 1080×1080 (square); 4:5 → 1080×1350 (tall portrait). These resolutions provide sharp quality on all devices without wasting file size. Use 4K (3840×2160 for 16:9) only if your source footage is native 4K and your platform supports it.