Pinterest Video Size: Exact Specs, Ratios, and Formats That Perform

Getting Pinterest video size right is not a cosmetic detail. It decides whether your video looks sharp, fills the feed correctly, and gets shown to more people, or ends up cropped, blurry, and ignored by the algorithm.

This guide walks through the exact pinterest video size requirements, explains why certain ratios outperform others, and shows how to export files that meet Pinterest MP4 specs from tools like Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Canva.

Core Pinterest Video Size Requirements

Pinterest supports several aspect ratios, but not all of them are equally effective. The core pinterest video dimensions you need to know are:

Vertical (recommended): 2:3 or 9:16
Square: 1:1
Horizontal: 16:9

For most marketers and creators, vertical formats win because they occupy more feed space and feel native on mobile.

Recommended pixel dimensions

Pinterest scales videos, but starting with the right pixel grid keeps them sharp. Use these as practical baselines:

Standard vertical Pin (2:3): 1000 × 1500 px
- Common alternatives: 1080 × 1620 px, 1200 × 1800 px
Full-screen vertical (9:16): 1080 × 1920 px
- Good for Idea Pins and repurposed Reels/Stories
Square (1:1): 1080 × 1080 px
Horizontal (16:9): 1920 × 1080 px

Pinterest does not require these exact pixel counts, but staying near them ensures clean scaling and avoids odd blurring or compression artifacts.

Example: A home décor brand shooting vertical content on a phone can set the camera to 1080 × 1920 (9:16). In editing, the brand can crop slightly to 1000 × 1500 (2:3) for standard Pins and keep the full 1080 × 1920 for Idea Pins, without reshooting.

File size and length limits

Pinterest’s limits change occasionally, but these are safe working targets for public Pins:

File size: Aim for under 2 GB even if higher limits are technically allowed.
Video length:
- Standard video Pins: 4 seconds to 15 minutes
- Ads: Pinterest recommends 6–15 seconds for performance, even if longer is allowed.

Shorter videos tend to get higher completion rates and better engagement, especially for cold audiences.

Example: A recipe creator can cut a 3-minute cooking process into a tight 30-second overview, then link to the full recipe on the site. The shorter video respects watch time patterns and still drives traffic.

Pinterest MP4 Specs: Formats, Codecs, and Bitrates

Pinterest accepts multiple formats, but treating MP4 (H.264) as the default keeps upload issues to a minimum. Understanding the core pinterest mp4 specs helps you export once and reuse across campaigns.

Container, codec, and audio

Use the following as a standard export profile:

Container: MP4 (.mp4)
Video codec: H.264
Color space: Rec. 709 (standard sRGB look)
Audio codec: AAC
Audio sample rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
Audio bitrate: 128–320 kbps

Other containers may upload, but MP4 is the most reliable and easiest to compress without visible quality loss.

Example export from Adobe Premiere Pro:

Format: H.264
Preset: Match Source – High Bitrate
Adjust frame size to 1080 × 1920 (9:16) or 1000 × 1500 (2:3)
Audio: AAC, 48 kHz, 192 kbps
Save and export as brand-product-demo-pinterest.mp4

Bitrate and frame rate

Pinterest does not publish strict bitrate rules, but consistent, web-ready settings work well:

Frame rate: 24, 25, or 30 fps. Keep the same frame rate you shot with.
Bitrate (target):
- 1080p vertical: 8–12 Mbps
- 720p vertical: 5–8 Mbps

Variable bitrate (VBR) with a target and a slightly higher maximum keeps file size under control without visible loss.

Example: For a 1080 × 1920 product teaser at 30 fps, set VBR 2-pass with target 10 Mbps and max 16 Mbps. On a 30-second clip, that usually lands well under 50 MB, which uploads quickly and stays sharp on mobile.

Aspect Ratios That Work Best on Pinterest

Pinterest is a visual search and discovery engine, not just a social feed. That changes how pinterest video size affects performance.

2:3 vs 9:16 vs 1:1

2:3 (1000 × 1500)
- Feels native to classic Pins.
- Works well for tutorials, step-by-step content, and static-to-motion transitions.
- Often the safest choice if you want evergreen, search-friendly Pins.
9:16 (1080 × 1920)
- Fills more vertical space on mobile, similar to TikTok and Reels.
- Great for Idea Pins, behind-the-scenes footage, and talking-head videos.
- Can be repurposed easily from existing vertical content.
1:1 (1080 × 1080)
- Balanced look in both mobile and desktop feeds.
- Useful for product grids, side-by-side comparisons, or text-led explainers.

Horizontal 16:9 works, but it rarely dominates the feed the way vertical does.

Example: An online course creator might record a 16:9 screen tutorial for YouTube, then crop the key section into a 9:16 vertical frame for Pinterest. The cropped vertical version can highlight the most important on-screen area and overlay a short headline, making it more thumb-stopping.

Safe zones for text and logos

Even when pinterest video dimensions are correct, overlays can still get clipped by UI elements. Keep text and logos inside a central safe zone:

Avoid placing essential text or logos in the outer 10% of the frame on all sides.
Keep captions and CTAs slightly above the bottom edge to avoid overlapping with control bars.

Example: For a 1080 × 1920 layout, keep all critical text within roughly 864 × 1536 in the center. A fashion brand can place the logo in the top center and a call-to-action near the lower third, far from the edges.

Creating Pinterest-Ready Videos in Popular Tools

Having the right pinterest video size on paper is one thing; exporting consistent files is another. Most creators rely on a handful of tools, and each has slightly different controls.

Adobe Premiere Pro

A simple workflow for Pinterest vertical videos:

Sequence settings
- Frame size: 1080 × 1920 (for 9:16) or 1000 × 1500 (for 2:3).
- Pixel aspect ratio: Square pixels (1.0).
- Timebase: 23.976, 25, or 29.97 fps to match footage.
Editing
- Use adjustment layers for color and text overlays.
- Check safe zones with guides or a transparent overlay grid.
Export
- Format: H.264.
- Preset: Match Source – High Bitrate, then adjust to target 8–12 Mbps.
- Audio: AAC, 48 kHz, 192 kbps.

Example: A travel blogger can cut a 60-second city montage, export in 1080 × 1920 at 10 Mbps, and then duplicate the sequence with a 1000 × 1500 frame for a more traditional Pin layout.

Final Cut Pro

A similar setup in Final Cut Pro:

Create a new project with a custom video format.
Set resolution to 1080 × 1920 (or 1000 × 1500) and 30 fps.
Edit vertically, keeping titles inside the central safe zone.
Share > Master File, then choose H.264 Better Quality.

Example: A fitness creator can film a workout in horizontal 4K, then rotate and crop to 1080 × 1920 in Final Cut Pro, ensuring the subject stays centered in the vertical frame.

Canva and browser-based editors

For quick production, many teams use Canva or similar web tools.

Choose a template sized at 1080 × 1920 or 1000 × 1500.
Lock background elements, then animate text and simple overlays.
Export as MP4 with sound off if the design is text-led.

Example: An e-commerce store can turn a static product shot into a short motion graphic: zoom-in animation, price overlay, and a short call-to-action, all within a 1080 × 1920 canvas.

Optimizing Pinterest Video Size for Performance

Technical compliance is the baseline. Performance comes from pairing the right pinterest video size with framing, pacing, and metadata.

Opening seconds and framing

The first 1–3 seconds decide whether a viewer stops scrolling.

Start with movement or a clear transformation, not a static logo.
Use tight framing on the subject so it reads well on small screens.
Keep the main focal point in the center third of the frame.

Example: A DIY account can open with a close-up of a messy desk instantly transforming into a clean workspace, rather than a slow zoom on a logo. The visual contrast hooks attention before the title appears.

Text overlays and subtitles

Most users browse with sound off, so design for silent viewing.

Add short, high-contrast titles that state the outcome: “3-Ingredient Latte at Home” instead of “Quick Recipe”.
Use clear fonts at least 10–12% of the frame height for readability.
Keep subtitles within the central safe zone.

Example: A language-learning channel can run a 15-second clip teaching one phrase, with the phrase in large text at the top and phonetic spelling as subtitles at the bottom.

Pin details and metadata

Pinterest is also a search engine, so the way you describe the video matters.

Include the primary keyword pinterest video size or related phrases naturally in the Pin title or description when relevant to tutorials or templates.
Add related terms such as pinterest video dimensions when the content is about formatting or design.
Use relevant tags and a clear destination URL for traffic-focused Pins.

Example: A design studio offering free vertical templates can title a Pin “Free Pinterest Video Size Templates (2:3 and 9:16)” and describe the exact dimensions included. The description can mention pinterest video dimensions and pinterest mp4 specs to match user searches.

Common Pinterest Video Size Mistakes to Avoid

Many underperforming Pins share the same technical and creative problems. Fixing these often gives an immediate lift in saves and clicks.

Cropped text and logos

Text that runs too close to the edges can get clipped on some screens.

Always preview Pins on mobile before publishing widely.
Keep logos and URLs away from corners and edges.

Example: A skincare brand that originally placed its logo in the bottom-right corner can move it to the upper center and slightly shrink it. This preserves branding without risking overlap with Pinterest UI elements.

Low-resolution or stretched uploads

Upscaling a small video to meet pinterest video dimensions leads to soft, pixelated results.

Avoid scaling up anything below 720p if possible.
Shoot or export at the final resolution instead of stretching later.

Example: Instead of enlarging a 640 × 1136 phone recording to 1080 × 1920, a creator can re-record in the correct resolution or reframe the content inside a 1080 × 1920 canvas with a blurred background.

Mismatched aspect ratio and content type

Sometimes the content format simply does not fit the chosen pinterest video size.

Talking-head explainers: 9:16 or 2:3 vertical.
Product grids or comparisons: 1:1 or 2:3.
Wide scenic clips: 16:9 with minimal on-screen text.

Example: A software walkthrough that relies on detailed UI elements will often work better as a 16:9 or 4:5 crop with clear zooms, rather than a super-tall 9:16 where text becomes tiny.

FAQ: Pinterest Video Size and Specs

What is the best pinterest video size for most Pins?

For most use cases, a 2:3 vertical video at 1000 × 1500 px is the safest and most search-friendly choice. It feels native in the feed, leaves room for text overlays, and works well across devices.

Can Pinterest handle 9:16 full-screen vertical videos?

Yes. 9:16 at 1080 × 1920 px is fully supported and ideal for Idea Pins and repurposed content from TikTok or Instagram Reels. Just ensure key text and logos sit away from the very top and bottom edges.

Which video format works best on Pinterest?

Use MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio. These pinterest mp4 specs are reliable across devices and keep file sizes manageable while maintaining quality.

What is the maximum file size for Pinterest videos?

Pinterest allows large uploads, but staying under 2 GB is practical for both upload reliability and editing workflows. Most high-quality 1080p vertical videos under 2 minutes will fall well below this threshold with an 8–12 Mbps bitrate.

Does Pinterest support square video?

Yes, 1:1 square videos at 1080 × 1080 px work well, especially for product showcases and side-by-side comparisons. However, vertical formats usually gain more feed visibility on mobile.

How long should Pinterest videos be for best engagement?

While standard Pins can run much longer, most brands see better completion rates with 6–30 second clips. Shorter, focused videos that deliver one clear idea or transformation tend to perform best.

Can existing YouTube videos be reused on Pinterest?

Yes, but horizontal 16:9 videos often need reframing. Consider creating a vertical version by cropping the most important section into 2:3 or 9:16 and adding bold, mobile-friendly text overlays.

Do Pinterest video dimensions affect ranking?

Pinterest does not publicly tie ranking to a specific aspect ratio, but vertical formats that fill more of the screen tend to earn better engagement metrics. Those engagement signals can indirectly help distribution.

Dialing in pinterest video size, format, and layout removes avoidable friction between your ideas and the people searching for them. Once the specs are locked, the focus can shift to what matters most: clear stories, strong visuals, and Pins that viewers want to save.

Pinterest Video Size: Exact Specs, Ratios, and Formats That Perform

Pinterest Video Size: Exact Specs, Ratios, and Formats That Perform