Every social platform recompresses your video on upload. You can’t stop that — but you can control how much quality is lost by uploading a file that already matches the platform’s preferred specs. Upload wrong, and the platform’s encoder makes aggressive choices. Upload right, and it barely touches your video.
TikTok Video Specs (2025)
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080×1920 (9:16) |
| Frame rate | 30 or 60fps |
| Codec | H.264, MP4 |
| Bitrate | 6,000–8,000 Kbps |
| Max file size | 1GB (desktop upload), 72MB (Android app) |
| Audio | AAC, 44.1kHz, 128+ Kbps |
Upload TikTok videos from desktop (tiktok.com) — the file size limit is 1GB vs 72MB on the Android app.
Instagram Reels Specs (2025)
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080×1920 (9:16) |
| Frame rate | 30fps |
| Codec | H.264, MP4 |
| Bitrate | 3,500–5,000 Kbps |
| Max file size | 650MB (<60s) / 1GB (longer) |
| Max duration | 90 seconds |
YouTube Shorts Specs (2025)
| Setting | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080×1920 |
| Codec | H.264 or H.265, MP4 |
| Max file size | 128GB |
| Max duration | 60 seconds |
DaVinci Resolve Export Settings for Social
- Format: MP4 | Codec: H.264
- Resolution: 1080×1920
- Frame Rate: Match source (30 or 60fps)
- Video Bitrate: 8,000–10,000 Kbps
- Audio: AAC, 44.1kHz, 192 Kbps
File Too Large? Compress Before Uploading
Use AllMediaTools Video Compressor — target 5,000–6,000 Kbps at 1080×1920. Reduce bitrate, not dimensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my video look blurry after uploading?
Double-compression: if you upload an already-compressed file, the platform’s re-encode compounds the quality loss. Upload at full recommended bitrate — don’t pre-compress too aggressively.
Should I use H.265 for TikTok?
H.264 is safer — TikTok accepts H.265 but transcodes it to H.264 internally, adding an unnecessary conversion step. See our H.264 vs H.265 guide.