TikTok Image & Video Sizes 2026: The Ultimate Guide for Viral Content
TikTok now boasts over 1.5 billion monthly active users spending an average of 95 minutes per day on the platform. With content this competitive, technical optimization isn’t optional—it’s essential for reaching the For You Page.
This comprehensive guide covers every TikTok dimension you need in 2026, from videos and Photo Mode to ads and profile optimization—plus algorithm insights from creators who’ve achieved viral success.
What’s New for TikTok in 2026
TikTok continues to evolve rapidly with new features and creator tools:
Recent Platform Updates
- Extended video length: Up to 30 minutes for eligible accounts
- Photo Mode enhancement: Up to 35 photos with music and text overlays
- TikTok Stories: 24-hour disappearing content (9:16 format)
- LIVE Subscription tiers: Monetization with custom badges
- Series feature: Paid premium content collections
- Effect House integration: Custom AR effects in higher resolution
- AI-powered editing: Enhanced auto-captions and voice effects
- TikTok Shop expansion: Product showcase and live shopping
Algorithm Changes Affecting Content
- First 1-3 seconds determine watch-through rate (critical metric)
- Vertical 9:16 content receives 2-3x more distribution
- Average completion rate matters more than total views
- Shares and saves heavily weighted for reach
- Original sounds can boost visibility 40%+
- Consistent posting (1-3x daily) builds momentum
Quick Reference: All TikTok Sizes 2026
| Content Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max Size | Best Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profile Picture | 200 x 200 minimum | 1:1 | < 5 MB | JPG, PNG |
| Standard Video | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 287 MB | MP4, MOV |
| Photo Mode | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 20 MB | JPG, PNG |
| TikTok Stories | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 72 MB | MP4, MOV |
| Horizontal Video | 1920 x 1080 | 16:9 | < 287 MB | MP4, MOV |
| Square Video | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | < 287 MB | MP4, MOV |
| Video Cover | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Selected | From video |
| In-Feed Ad | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 500 MB | MP4, MOV |
| TopView Ad | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 500 MB | MP4, MOV |
| Spark Ad | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 500 MB | MP4, MOV |
| Carousel Ad Images | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 20 MB | JPG, PNG |
| LIVE Thumbnail | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 10 MB | JPG, PNG |
| Series Thumbnail | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | < 10 MB | JPG, PNG |
Pro Tip: Use Image for Post to create perfectly sized thumbnails and promotional images for your TikTok content—no cropping required!
TikTok Video Specifications: The Core Format
Your TikTok videos need to meet specific technical requirements for optimal performance:
Standard Video Settings
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (1080p)
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical/portrait)
- Frame rate: 24-60 fps (30 fps recommended)
- Bitrate: Minimum 516 kbps, recommended 2500+ kbps
- Codec: H.264 for video, AAC for audio
- Max file size: 287.6 MB (web), 72 MB (iOS/Android app)
- Video length: Up to 10 minutes (30 minutes for some accounts)
Video Quality Best Practices
- Export at exactly 1080p—TikTok compresses higher resolutions anyway
- Use 30 fps for most content, 60 fps for fast motion or gaming
- Maintain 2500 kbps or higher bitrate to prevent compression artifacts
- Export in MP4 with H.264 codec for best compatibility
- Check audio levels at -3dB to -6dB to avoid clipping
Safe Zones for TikTok Videos
TikTok’s UI overlays cover portions of your video. Keep critical content within safe zones:
| Element | Space Reserved | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Top (status bar) | ~50px | Avoid important visuals |
| Bottom (caption) | ~150px | Keep key content above this area |
| Right side (UI) | ~100px | Avoid text on right edge |
| Left side | ~50px | Generally safe |
| Center zone | 1080 x 1620 | Safe for all critical content |
Video Length Strategy
While TikTok allows long videos, length significantly impacts performance:
| Video Length | Best For | Avg. Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7-15 seconds | Hooks, trends, quick tips | 70-90% |
| 15-30 seconds | Tutorials, reviews, stories | 50-70% |
| 30-60 seconds | Detailed tutorials, vlogs | 30-50% |
| 1-3 minutes | In-depth content, interviews | 15-30% |
| 3-10 minutes | Series content, educational | 10-20% |
TikTok Photo Mode: Static Image Content
Photo Mode allows posting image slideshows with music, competing with Instagram carousels:
Photo Mode Specifications
- Image dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)
- Number of images: 1-35 photos per post
- File format: JPG, PNG
- File size: Under 20 MB per image
- Display time: 2.5-10 seconds per photo (adjustable)
- Music: Required (choose from library or original sounds)
Photo Mode Best Practices
- Design for vertical viewing—9:16 fills the screen completely
- Use high contrast text readable at small sizes
- Create visual flow between slides to encourage swiping
- First image is critical—it’s your hook
- Add text overlays to each image for context
- Use music strategically to set pace and mood
Photo Mode Content Ideas
- Step-by-step tutorials with clear instructions
- Before/after transformations
- Product showcases and unboxings
- Recipe cards with ingredients and steps
- Travel photo dumps with location captions
- Outfit inspiration with shopping details
- Infographics and educational content
TikTok Profile Picture: Your First Impression
Your profile picture appears across TikTok in comments, DMs, and search results:
Profile Picture Specifications
- Minimum size: 200 x 200 pixels
- Recommended size: 400 x 400 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square upload, circular display)
- File format: JPG, PNG
- File size: Under 5 MB
Profile Picture Best Practices
- Fill the frame—your face or logo should dominate
- Use bright, contrasting colors that stand out
- Avoid text—it’s too small to read
- Test circular crop before uploading
- Match branding across platforms for recognition
- Update seasonally if you’re a personal brand
TikTok Stories: 24-Hour Content
TikTok Stories disappear after 24 hours, perfect for casual, behind-the-scenes content:
Stories Specifications
- Video resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- Maximum length: 15 seconds per story
- File size: Under 72 MB
- Format: MP4, MOV
Stories vs. Feed Content
| Feature | TikTok Stories | TikTok Feed |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 24 hours | Permanent |
| Reach | Followers only | For You Page possible |
| Analytics | Basic views | Full analytics |
| Best for | Updates, BTS | Growth content |
TikTok LIVE: Real-Time Content
Going live on TikTok requires meeting minimum requirements but offers strong engagement:
LIVE Requirements
- Minimum followers: 1,000 (in most regions)
- Minimum age: 16 to go live, 18 to receive gifts
- Stream quality: Up to 1080p
- Orientation: Vertical (9:16) recommended
LIVE Thumbnail Optimization
- Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Include face or action shot for higher click-through
- Add text overlay with live topic
- Use bright colors that pop in notifications
TikTok Ads: Paid Promotion Specs
TikTok’s ad platform offers several formats, each with specific requirements:
In-Feed Ads
Standard ads appearing in the For You feed:
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)
- Also accepted: 960 x 540 (16:9)
- File format: MP4, MOV, MPEG, AVI
- Duration: 5-60 seconds (9-15 recommended)
- File size: Under 500 MB
- Bitrate: 516 kbps minimum
- Caption: Up to 80 characters
TopView Ads
Premium placement as first video users see:
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Duration: 5-60 seconds
- Sound: Auto-play with sound
- File size: Under 500 MB
- Best for: Brand awareness campaigns
Branded Hashtag Challenge
Custom hashtag pages with banner creative:
- Banner image: 1200 x 627 pixels
- Video content: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Duration: 5-60 seconds
- Best for: User-generated content campaigns
Spark Ads
Boosting organic TikTok content:
- Uses existing video specs
- Must be from your account or creator authorization
- Maintains organic engagement metrics
- Best for: Proven performing content
Carousel Ads
Multiple image swipe format:
- Image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels each
- Number of images: 2-35
- File format: JPG, PNG
- Individual file size: Under 20 MB
TikTok Shop: E-Commerce Visuals
TikTok Shop has specific requirements for product listings:
Product Images
- Main image: 600 x 600 pixels minimum
- Recommended: 1000 x 1000 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square)
- Background: White or clean recommended
- File size: Under 5 MB
- Images per listing: Up to 9
Showcase Videos
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Duration: 5-60 seconds
- Must feature product clearly
- Include call-to-action overlay
Algorithm Optimization Tips
Beyond dimensions, these factors affect your content’s performance:
The First 3 Seconds Rule
TikTok’s algorithm evaluates content in the first few seconds:
- Hook immediately—ask a question, make a bold statement, show something surprising
- Text overlays grab attention faster than speech alone
- Movement and action outperform static openings
- Face close-ups increase watch time
- Pattern interrupts (zooms, cuts) maintain attention
Optimal Posting Strategy
- Best times: 7-9 AM, 12-3 PM, 7-11 PM (user’s local time)
- Best days: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday show highest engagement
- Frequency: 1-3 posts daily for growth, minimum 3-5 per week
- Consistency: Same posting times help algorithm distribution
Engagement Signals That Matter
| Signal | Weight | How to Optimize |
|---|---|---|
| Completion | Very High | Shorter videos, strong hooks |
| Rewatches | Very High | Loop-worthy endings |
| Shares | High | Relatable, useful content |
| Saves | High | Educational, reference content |
| Comments | Medium | Ask questions, be controversial |
| Likes | Medium | Overall quality signal |
| Follows | Medium | Profile link from video |
Exporting Tips for Best Quality
Recommended Export Settings
For Premiere Pro/Final Cut:
- Format: H.264
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920
- Frame rate: 30 fps
- Bitrate: VBR 2-pass, 8-12 Mbps target
- Audio: AAC, 192-320 kbps, 48kHz
For DaVinci Resolve:
- Format: MP4
- Codec: H.264
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920
- Quality: Restrict to 10-12 Mbps
For CapCut:
- Resolution: 1080p
- Frame rate: 30 fps
- Export quality: High
- Format: MP4
Upload Best Practices
- Upload via web for larger files (287 MB vs 72 MB limit)
- Use stable WiFi—interrupted uploads reduce quality
- Don’t compress before uploading—let TikTok handle it
- Save original file—TikTok compression is permanent
- Preview before posting—check for quality issues
TikTok vs. Other Platforms: Quick Comparison
| Platform | Primary Format | Optimal Length | Best Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Short-form video | 15-60 seconds | 9:16 |
| Reels | Short-form video | 15-30 seconds | 9:16 |
| YouTube Shorts | Short-form video | 15-60 seconds | 9:16 |
| Snapchat | Ephemeral video | 10-30 seconds | 9:16 |
| Stories | Ephemeral | 15 seconds | 9:16 |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Video Appears Blurry After Upload
Causes:
- Source video under 1080p
- Heavy compression before upload
- Low bitrate export
Fixes:
- Always export at 1080 x 1920
- Use 8+ Mbps bitrate
- Upload original quality file
Black Bars on Video
Causes:
- Wrong aspect ratio (16:9 or 1:1)
- Portrait video with horizontal subject
Fixes:
- Crop to 9:16 before uploading
- Use TikTok’s built-in cropping
- Reframe content for vertical
Audio Out of Sync
Causes:
- Variable frame rate source
- Encoding issues
Fixes:
- Convert to constant frame rate
- Re-export with different codec
- Use professional editing software
FAQ: TikTok Dimensions 2026
What is the best video size for TikTok in 2026? The best TikTok video size is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. This full-screen format ensures maximum impact on mobile devices and optimal algorithm performance.
What resolution should TikTok videos be? TikTok videos should be 1080p (1080 x 1920 pixels) for best quality. While TikTok accepts up to 4K, videos are compressed to 1080p. Uploading at exactly 1080p gives you the best quality-to-file-size ratio.
What’s the TikTok profile picture size? TikTok profile pictures should be at least 200 x 200 pixels, though uploading 400 x 400px or higher ensures crisp display. They display as circles on the platform.
Can I post horizontal videos on TikTok? Yes, TikTok accepts horizontal (16:9) and square (1:1) videos, but vertical 9:16 content dramatically outperforms other formats in the algorithm. Horizontal videos may appear with black bars and get 40% less engagement.
What’s the maximum TikTok video length in 2026? TikTok now supports videos up to 10 minutes long for all users, with some accounts able to upload up to 30-minute videos. However, shorter videos (15-60 seconds) typically perform best algorithmically.
What size should TikTok Photo Mode images be? TikTok Photo Mode images should be 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 ratio) for full-screen display. You can add up to 35 photos in a single Photo Mode post.
What are TikTok ad specifications? TikTok In-Feed Ads should be 1080 x 1920px (9:16), 9-60 seconds long, under 500MB, in MP4 or MOV format. TopView ads have the same specs but can be up to 60 seconds with sound auto-play.
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