Friday, October 23, 2026
Best Video Size for Reels, Shorts and Snapchat
A video that is the wrong size gets cropped, shows black bars, or looks blurry after upload. Each app has its own preferred shape and length. This guide gives you one quick table for Instagram, YouTube Shorts, Snapchat and Facebook, and simple rules you can use for any of them.
The short answer
For vertical videos such as Reels, Shorts, Snaps and Stories, record in 9:16, at 1080 x 1920 pixels. For a regular feed post, 4:5 or 1:1 works well. Keep the important parts of the picture away from the edges, because the apps put buttons and captions on top.
Video size table
| Where | Aspect ratio | Size | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | VERIFY |
| Instagram feed video | 4:5 or 1:1 | 1080 x 1350 or 1080 x 1080 | VERIFY |
| Instagram Stories | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | VERIFY |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | VERIFY |
| YouTube regular video | 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 or higher | VERIFY |
| Snapchat Snap and Story | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | VERIFY |
| Snapchat Spotlight | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | VERIFY |
| Facebook Reels and Stories | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | VERIFY |
| Facebook feed video | 4:5, 1:1 or 16:9 | VERIFY | VERIFY |
Check the platform's help page before you rely on a number. Limits change, and some accounts get different options.
What the ratios mean
- 9:16 is tall and fills a phone screen. Use it for Reels, Shorts, Snaps and Stories.
- 4:5 is slightly tall. It takes more room in a feed than a square.
- 1:1 is square. It works in feeds and is safe when you post in several places.
- 16:9 is wide, like a TV. It is the standard for regular YouTube videos.
Keep text and faces inside the safe area
Apps place the username, caption, buttons and progress bar over your video. Leave some space at the top and bottom, and do not put text near the edges. Preview the video in the app before you post.
Tips for good quality
- Record in the same ratio you will post, so nothing needs cropping.
- Use the highest quality your phone can record, then let the app compress it once.
- Do not upload a video that someone already compressed several times, such as one sent through chat apps. It will look soft.
- Use good light. Dark videos turn blocky when they are compressed.
- Keep the first seconds interesting, because viewers decide fast.
File type and size
MP4 with H.264 video is the safest choice for all of these apps. If you are unsure which file type to use, read MP4 vs WebM vs MOV. If your file is too large to upload, make it smaller before you post.
Related guides
- Save your own Instagram Reels and posts
- Save your own Snapchat Story or Spotlight
- Download your Facebook data and videos
- Download your own YouTube videos
Frequently asked questions
What is the best video size for Instagram Reels?
Use 9:16 at 1080 x 1920 pixels. Keep text and faces away from the edges.
What size should a YouTube Short be?
Make it vertical, 9:16, at 1080 x 1920. YouTube also sets a maximum length for Shorts, so check the current limit in YouTube Help.
What is the best video size for Snapchat?
Snapchat is built for vertical video. Use 9:16 at 1080 x 1920.
Why does my video look blurry after I upload it?
Apps compress every upload. A video that is small, dark, or already compressed several times loses the most quality. Record at a high quality in the right ratio and upload the original file.
Can I use one video on all apps?
Yes. A 9:16 video at 1080 x 1920 works for Reels, Shorts, Snaps and Stories. Check that the text stays inside the safe area, since each app puts its buttons in a different place.
