Platform Video Specs
Upload limits, frame sizes, bitrates and lengths for YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, taken from each platform's own help pages, with the file-size and upload-time math for your deliverables.
Upload Limits at a Glance
As of October 2026. Platforms change these often; each guide links to the source.
| Platform | Shape | Longest upload | Largest file |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 16:9; Shorts square or vertical | 12 hours (Shorts 3 min) | 256 GB |
| TikTok | 9:16, at least 720×1280 | 30 min from TikTok Studio | Under 10 GB |
| Instagram Reels | 1.91:1 to 9:16 | 20 min | 4 GB (ads guide) |
Platform-Specific Guides
YouTube Video Specs
Recommended upload settings and bitrates for SDR and HDR up to 8K, Live encoder settings, Shorts and thumbnails.
What's Covered:
Upload bitrates
HDR requirements
Live encoder settings
Shorts and thumbnails
Explore Guide
TikTok Video Specs
Limits for TikTok Studio uploads, the Content Posting API and in-feed ads, and what TikTok doesn't publish.
What's Covered:
Studio limits
API limits
Ads specs
File size and upload time
Explore Guide
Instagram Video Specs
Reels, Stories and feed sizes, lengths, covers and ad safe zones.
What's Covered:
Reels
Stories
Feed sizes
Covers and safe zones
Explore Guide
Broadcast TV Specs
ATSC and DVB formats, A/85 and R 128 loudness, legal levels, safe areas and drop-frame timecode.
What's Covered:
Loudness targets
Legal levels
Safe areas
Drop-frame timecode
Explore Guide
What Changes Between Platforms
Frame and Length
- YouTube is 16:9 first; TikTok, Reels and Stories are 9:16
- Instagram feed photos run from 1.91:1 to 3:4 at 1080 px wide
- Longest uploads: 12 hours on YouTube, 30 minutes from TikTok Studio, 20 minutes for Reels
Files and Encoding
- Only YouTube publishes recommended bitrates; TikTok and Instagram do not
- Every platform re-encodes your upload, so deliver a clean master above the target bitrate
- File limits differ: 256 GB on YouTube, under 10 GB on TikTok Studio, 4 GB for Meta ads