Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts all favour the same basic format, but the details differ just enough to trip people up — wrong safe zones, an awkward length, or a file that gets recompressed and loses quality. Here is the specification each platform actually wants.
Aspect Ratio and Resolution
| Platform | Aspect Ratio | Recommended Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 px |
| TikTok | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 px |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 px |
All three platforms are built around the same vertical 9:16 frame, so one correctly formatted export generally works across all of them without re-editing.
Ideal Length Per Platform
- Instagram Reels: 7–15 seconds performs best for reach; up to 90 seconds is supported for more detailed content.
- TikTok: 15–34 seconds is a strong default; the platform supports much longer videos, but shorter clips typically hold attention better.
- YouTube Shorts: Up to 60 seconds to qualify as a Short; under 30 seconds tends to perform well for loop-friendly content.
File Format and Specs
- Format: MP4 (H.264 codec) is the safest choice across all three platforms.
- Frame rate: 30fps is standard; 60fps for fast motion where extra smoothness matters.
- Bitrate: Export at the highest quality your file-size limit allows — platforms recompress on upload, so starting soft results in visibly softer final video.
Captions and Safe Zones
Each platform overlays its own UI — usernames, captions, like/share buttons — near the top and bottom of the frame. Keep key text and faces within the centre-safe area, roughly the middle 80% of the frame vertically, so nothing important is hidden behind app interface elements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Uploading a horizontal 16:9 video with black bars instead of a proper 9:16 export
- Placing important text too close to the top or bottom edge, where it gets covered by app UI
- Using a slow intro — short-form content needs a hook in the first 1–2 seconds
- Exporting at low bitrate, resulting in visible compression artifacts after the platform re-encodes it
