Facebook Video Size and Specs: The Practical Guide

Getting Facebook video size right is the difference between a sharp, professional-looking clip and a blurry mess that people scroll past. Facebook compresses everything you upload, so starting with the correct dimensions, aspect ratio, and bitrate is essential if you care about how your content looks on phones and desktop screens.

This guide walks through the key facebook video size rules, the best facebook video dimensions for each placement, and the technical facebook video requirements that keep your uploads from breaking or looking soft.

Core Facebook Video Requirements at a Glance

Facebook supports a wide range of formats, but there are some non‑negotiables that apply to almost every upload.

Core facebook video requirements (organic and ads):

• File formats: MP4 (recommended), MOV

• Maximum file size: 4 GB

• Maximum length (feed video): 240 minutes

• Recommended codecs: H.264 video, AAC audio

• Frame rate: Up to 60 fps (stick to 24–30 fps for most content)

• Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 for square; 1080 x 1350 for vertical; 1280 x 720 for horizontal

• Recommended bitrate: 4–8 Mbps for HD; 12–16 Mbps for 4K

Example: A 60‑second explainer video rendered as 1080 x 1080 MP4 at 30 fps with H.264 and AAC will upload without issues and look clean on both mobile and desktop.

Recommended Facebook Video Size by Placement

The right facebook video size depends heavily on where the video appears. A clip that looks perfect in the feed can get cropped in Stories or Reels if the dimensions are wrong.

Feed Videos (Organic and Ads)

Feed is still the default environment for most Facebook videos. People scroll quickly, so vertical and square formats usually perform better than wide horizontal clips.

Recommended facebook video dimensions for feed:

• Square (most versatile): 1080 x 1080 (1:1)

• Vertical (more screen space): 1080 x 1350 (4:5)

• Horizontal (landscape): 1920 x 1080 (16:9)

Technical guidelines:

• Aspect ratios: 4:5, 1:1, 16:9

• Max file size: 4 GB

• Max length: 240 minutes

• Captions: Strongly recommended, especially for silent autoplay

Example: A brand teaser cut in 1080 x 1350 vertical will occupy more of the mobile screen, making product details easier to see than a 1920 x 1080 landscape version, even if both use the same footage.

Facebook Reels

Reels are designed for full‑screen vertical viewing on mobile. Using the correct facebook video size here is critical because anything wider than 9:16 will get letterboxed or cropped.

Recommended facebook video dimensions for Reels:

• Vertical full screen: 1080 x 1920 (9:16)

Key facebook video requirements for Reels:

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 only

• Max length: 90 seconds (often best under 30 seconds)

• File size: Up to 4 GB

• Safe zones: Keep text and logos away from the very top and bottom 250 px to avoid UI overlays

Example: A 1080 x 1920 product demo with text anchored in the middle third of the frame will remain readable even when Facebook overlays the username, audio, and engagement controls.

Facebook Stories

Stories share the same basic layout as Reels but behave differently and allow more interactivity with stickers and links.

Recommended facebook video dimensions for Stories:

• Vertical full screen: 1080 x 1920 (9:16)

Stories‑specific requirements:

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (16:9 allowed but not ideal; it will be pillarboxed)

• Max length per Story card: 15 seconds (longer videos are auto‑split into segments)

• File size: Up to 4 GB

Example: A 12‑second flash sale Story at 1080 x 1920 with a bold price overlay in the center and a “Swipe up” or link sticker near the bottom third will display cleanly across most devices without cropping important text.

Video in the Right Column (Desktop)

Right‑column placements are desktop‑only and much smaller. They are less common, but if used, they require specific facebook video dimensions.

Recommended dimensions:

• Landscape: 1200 x 628 (approx. 1.91:1)

Guidelines:

• Aspect ratio: 1.91:1

• Ideal length: Under 15 seconds to match low attention in this placement

Example: A short 10‑second promo cut at 1200 x 628 with a single clear headline can work in the right column without looking cramped or illegible.

In‑Stream Video Ads (Mid‑Roll)

In‑stream ads appear within longer videos, similar to pre‑roll or mid‑roll ads on other platforms. Here, the facebook video size needs to match a more traditional viewing experience.

Recommended facebook video dimensions for in‑stream:

• Landscape: 1920 x 1080 (16:9)

Requirements:

• Aspect ratio: 16:9

• Length: 5–15 seconds recommended; up to 120 seconds possible

• Sound: Audio expected; silent creative underperforms in this placement

Example: A 10‑second 1920 x 1080 trailer with strong audio hooks and clear branding in the first 3 seconds fits in‑stream formats far better than a silent square cut.

Aspect Ratios That Work Best on Facebook

Choosing the right aspect ratio is often more important than raw resolution. The facebook video size that fills more of the mobile screen tends to win attention.

Common aspect ratios on Facebook:

• 1:1 (Square): 1080 x 1080, 1200 x 1200

• 4:5 (Vertical feed): 1080 x 1350

• 9:16 (Full vertical): 1080 x 1920

• 16:9 (Landscape): 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720

For mobile‑first campaigns, 4:5 and 9:16 usually outperform 16:9, because they take up more screen space and keep people focused on the content instead of the surrounding feed.

Example: A restaurant showcasing a new dish can post a 4:5 vertical clip in the feed and a 9:16 version in Stories. Both use the same footage, but each is framed to keep the plate centered and text overlays inside safe zones for that specific facebook video size.

Technical Specs: Codecs, Bitrate, and Frame Rate

Even with the right facebook video dimensions, poor encoding can ruin quality. Facebook re‑encodes everything, so giving the algorithm a clean source file matters.

Recommended encoding settings:

• Video codec: H.264, High Profile

• Audio codec: AAC, 128 kbps or higher, stereo

• Container: MP4

• Frame rate: 24, 25, or 30 fps (keep it consistent; avoid variable frame rate when possible)

• Bitrate (HD): 4–8 Mbps for 1080p

• Bitrate (4K): 12–16 Mbps for 2160p

Avoid extremely low bitrates to keep gradients, motion, and text clean after Facebook’s compression pass.

Example: A 1080 x 1920 vertical ad encoded at 30 fps, H.264, and 6 Mbps will look far sharper than the same video encoded at 2 Mbps, especially in areas with fast motion or detailed textures.

Designing for Mobile: Safe Zones and Text

Most Facebook views come from mobile devices, so the ideal facebook video size is only part of the story. Safe zones and text treatment determine whether your message is actually readable.

Key design practices:

• Keep text large and bold: Assume people watch on 5–6 inch screens

• Use safe margins: Avoid placing text or logos within ~250 px of the top or bottom in 9:16 videos

• Contrast: Use high contrast between text and background; add subtle shadows or solid blocks behind text

• Subtitles: Add burned‑in subtitles or upload an SRT file for accessibility and silent autoplay

Example: A how‑to video formatted at 1080 x 1080 with a bold headline in the upper third and captions in the lower third stays legible on small phones, while a thin, low‑contrast font will disappear in the feed.

Exporting Facebook‑Ready Videos from Your Editor

Most editors, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and CapCut, make it easy to export at the correct facebook video size. A consistent workflow saves time and prevents mistakes.

A simple approach:

1. Choose the final aspect ratio first. Decide whether the primary placement is 1:1, 4:5, 9:16, or 16:9.

2. Set the sequence or timeline resolution. For example, 1080 x 1350 for 4:5 or 1080 x 1920 for 9:16.

3. Frame your content for that layout. Keep important elements away from edges and UI overlays.

4. Export using H.264 and AAC. Use a high‑quality preset, then manually adjust bitrate if necessary.

5. Test a short clip. Upload a 5–10 second version to a test Page or as an unlisted draft to verify quality.

Example: A creator producing weekly tips can set a master timeline at 1080 x 1920, then create cropped exports for 4:5 and 1:1. Each export keeps the subject centered and maintains sharp text across every facebook video size.

Common Mistakes with Facebook Video Size

Several recurring issues reduce quality or cause Facebook to reject uploads. Avoiding them is often easier than fixing them later.

Frequent problems:

• Wrong aspect ratio for the placement. A 16:9 clip used as a Story will appear with black bars or crop key elements.

• Low resolution upscaling. Stretching 720 x 1280 to 1080 x 1920 softens the imageConfirmDismiss and amplifies artifacts.

• Heavy text near edges. UI overlays and cropping can hide calls‑to‑action or subtitles.

• Variable frame rate glitches. Screen recordings or mobile captures with unstable frame rates can desync audio.

Example: A webinar clip exported at 1280 x 720 and then scaled to 1080 x 1920 for Stories will look noticeably blurry, while a fresh edit using the original 1080p recording framed for 9:16 will stay sharp.

FAQ: Facebook Video Size and Specs

What is the best facebook video size for the feed?

For most campaigns, the best facebook video size for feed is 1080 x 1350 (4:5 vertical) or 1080 x 1080 (square). Both formats use more screen space on mobile than landscape 16:9, which can improve watch time and engagement.

What are the recommended facebook video dimensions for Reels?

The recommended facebook video dimensions for Reels are 1080 x 1920 with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This matches the full‑screen vertical layout on most smartphones and prevents letterboxing or awkward cropping.

What is the maximum facebook video size and length?

The maximum facebook video size is 4 GB per file. For most feed videos, the maximum length is 240 minutes, although shorter videos usually perform better. Reels are limited to 90 seconds, and Stories support 15 seconds per card.

Which file format works best for Facebook videos?

Facebook accepts several formats, but MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio is the most reliable choice. This combination balances quality and file size and aligns with Facebook’s recommended facebook video requirements.

Can 4K videos be uploaded to Facebook?

Yes, 4K videos can be uploaded as long as the file size stays under 4 GB and uses a supported codec. However, Facebook will compress the file, so high‑quality 1080p with the rightConfirmDismiss facebook video dimensions is usually sufficient for most use cases.

Why does my Facebook video look blurry after upload?

Blurriness usually comes from low original resolution, aggressive compression, or incorrect facebook video size. Exporting at the recommended dimensions (such as 1080 x 1080, 1080 x 1350, or 1080 x 1920) with a sufficient bitrate and H.264 encoding helps preserve sharpness after Facebook recompresses the video.

Should captions be burned into the video or uploaded separately?

Both methods work. Burned‑in captions guarantee consistent appearance across placements, while uploaded SRT captions allow viewers to toggle them on or off. For short Reels and Stories, many creators prefer burned‑in captions that match the chosen facebook video size and layout.

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Optimizing facebook video size, dimensions, and technical settings does not require guesswork. Once standard presets are in place for 1:1, 4:5, 9:16, and 16:9, creating sharp, platform‑ready clips becomes a repeatable process rather than a constant adjustment.