TikTok is strict about video format. Horizontal videos get letterboxed and pushed down in the algorithm. Videos that are not the right resolution look blurry. Getting the format right is not optional — it is the baseline for competitive content.
| Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 vertical |
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 (minimum 720 × 1280) |
| Frame rate | 24–60 fps |
| Format | MP4 or WebM |
| Length | 15 seconds to 10 minutes |
| Max file size | 287 MB |
Scenario 1 — Horizontal video (16:9): The most common case. You have a landscape recording that needs to become vertical. Simply cropping changes the composition — important elements get cut off. The better approach is to generate a 9:16 clip that automatically frames the most important part of the horizontal footage. HaikuClip handles this automatically when it generates clips from your video.
Scenario 2 — Square video (1:1): Adding padding (black or blurred background) above and below a square video converts it to 9:16. This is a fast but visually suboptimal solution. Works better if the padding has your branding or a visual element.
Scenario 3 — Already vertical: If your footage is already in 9:16 (shot on mobile in portrait mode), you just need to ensure the resolution and file size meet TikTok's requirements.
The fastest way to get properly formatted TikTok clips from existing video: upload to HaikuClip, which automatically generates 9:16 clips at the correct resolution. No manual reformatting, no desktop video editor, no quality loss from incorrect export settings. Download and post directly.
"Never post a horizontal video to TikTok just because you do not have time to reformat it. A letterboxed clip actively signals to the algorithm that the content was not made for the platform. Skipping it is better than posting it wrong."
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