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When you're posting organically, you'll usually see an upload video box with no instructions, and when it comes to ads, you might encounter a message like LinkedIn's, which specifies an allowable aspect ratio between 9:16, 16:9, or 1:1.
If you're anything like me, you might be wondering, ‘how many pixels make up the 9:16 aspect ratio’ or ‘do I need to upload multiple videos with different dimensions or will one suffice’.
We're all looking for the best practices when it comes to creating engaging content, but it can be hard to know where to start when each platform offers different aspect ratios and sizes.
In this article, we'll dive into the world of social media video sizes and ratios, and share our best practices for creating ads and posting on various platforms. Plus, we'll even show you the easiest way to resize your videos to fit perfectly. So, let's get started and make sure your videos stand out on social media!
Common ratios and dimensions for social media videos
Did you know that aspect ratios have a fascinating history that spans over a century? From the early days of silent film to the current 16:9 standard, aspect ratios have undergone significant changes. And with the emergence of social media, aspect ratios have taken on many new forms, creating challenges for creators to make videos that look great across various platforms.
To help you create videos with the right dimensions, here are the most common aspect ratios and their corresponding dimensions that you're likely to encounter.
1:1 aspect ratio in pixels
First up, we have the 1:1 ratio, also known as the square aspect ratio. To make your 1:1 video look its best, aim for dimensions of 1080 pixels by 1080 pixels.
16:9 aspect ratio in pixels
Next, we have the 16:9 ratio, which is the classic widescreen aspect ratio. For optimal results, create a video with dimensions of 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels.
4:5 aspect ratio in pixels
Moving on, we have the 4:5 ratio, which is a vertical aspect ratio. To create a visually appealing 4:5 video, go for dimensions of 1080 pixels by 1350 pixels.
9:16 aspect ratio in pixels
Last but not least, we have the 9:16 ratio, which is a vertical aspect ratio. If you want your 9:16 video to stand out, aim for dimensions of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels.
What video size should you use on each social platform?
Is choosing the right video dimensions important? The answer is yes!
When we asked our Performance Marketing Manager (AKA Social Media Ad Pro), Sofia Eriksson if using the right video ratios is important when running ads she said, “Definitely! By choosing all the right dimensions to be optimized for each placement, your ad will look better, be seen in more places and your ad will deliver a better experience to the audience, which is beneficial due to the algorithm and the user experience.”
Creating videos for specific platforms or repurposing content can become a nightmare if you're not sure which size to use. But, here's the good news: we've got you covered!
Here’s all the essential information you need to know about video sizes for different social media platforms, so you can confidently upload your videos like a pro.
LinkedIn video sizes
When it comes to organic video posting on LinkedIn your go-to ratio should be 1:1 (square).
According to our Community Manager ( AKA LinkedIn Pro), Heidi Bordal, “I always find 1:1 to be the best for LinkedIn and Facebook because it works well for both mobile and desktop.”
Heidi also recommends trying 4:5 (portrait) or 9:16 (vertical) because it fills up the viewer's screen when using mobile.
When you make a video ad campaign on LinkedIn you should use 1:1 or 4:5.
Sofia Eriksson says, “For LinkedIn, I normally do 1:1 or 4:5 for ads since so many people scroll LinkedIn on their phones. If you compare them with 16:9, 1:1 and 4:5 are better because they take up more of the screen, which equals more attention-catching.”
Instagram / Facebook video sizes
Instagram and Facebook support a range of video ratios, but the best aspect ratios to use for video content are 1:1 (square) and 4:5 (portrait).
The 1:1 aspect ratio is a popular choice for Instagram and Facebook feeds because it takes up the maximum amount of screen space in both portrait and landscape modes. This ratio is great for showcasing products or capturing square videos that can be easily repurposed on other platforms.
The 9:16 aspect ratio takes up more vertical space than 1:1 and is the best ratio for Instagram or Facebook stories.
When choosing a video ratio on Instagram, it's important to keep in mind that the platform's algorithm prefers videos that fill up the maximum amount of screen space. So, it's recommended to choose a video ratio that takes up the most space possible while still fitting your content.
When running Facebook and Instagram video ads you should make sure you upload videos in all three of the recommended ratios: 1:1, 9:16, and 16:9.
Sophia says, “For Facebook and Instagram, I normally do all three ratios that are available to fit all placements (feed, stories, network etc.) and let the algorithm show the video ad where it is best suited for each viewer.”
Youtube video sizes
When it comes to video on YouTube, the golden rule is always to use the 16:9 aspect ratio, which is the standard aspect ratio for most computer and television screens. This ratio provides a cinematic feel to videos and allows them to fill up more of the screen.
Heidi says, “I’d never go for 16:9 on any platform except for Youtube. It is perfect for a computer screen but when it comes to social feeds, it uses too little of the space you have in the feeds.”
TikTok video sizes
The most common video ratio used on TikTok is 9:16 (vertical), which is the vertical aspect ratio commonly used for smartphone screens.
This ratio allows users to easily view videos in full-screen mode on their mobile devices.
How can you make your videos all the right sizes for social media?
In today's digital landscape, video is an essential part of any marketing strategy. However, creating videos that look great and engage your audience can be a challenge, especially when each platform supports different aspect ratios. That's where a video creation tools like Storkit comes in.
Storykit makes it easy to create professional-quality videos for all platforms by allowing users to render their videos into multiple formats without having to adjust anything themselves.
This means you can create a single video and easily convert it into all the formats you need for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and more, saving you time and effort in the video creation process.
This is especially valuable for businesses and marketers who need to create a lot of video content in various formats for different platforms.
By choosing the right video ratio for each platform and leveraging video creation tools like Storkit, you can optimize your content for success and your workflow.
