How to Compress Videos for Social Media

Every social platform has its own video requirements. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more each compress and re-encode uploads—but starting with an optimized file gives you better results. Here's how to compress for each platform.

Instagram: Square and Reels

Instagram prefers 1080x1080 (square) or 1080x1920 (portrait) for Reels. Keep files under 4 GB and under 90 seconds for Reels. For feed posts, 60 seconds max. Compress to 1080p and a reasonable bitrate—Instagram will re-encode anyway, but a clean source helps.

TikTok: Portrait First

TikTok is vertical. Use 1080x1920 (9:16). Video length is 10 minutes max for some accounts, but most clips are under 60 seconds. Compress to fit the platform's upload limits; TikTok will compress further, but a well-prepared file preserves quality.

YouTube: Quality Matters

YouTube accepts 4K and high bitrates. For most creators, 1080p at 8–12 Mbps is plenty. YouTube re-encodes everything, so uploading a slightly compressed file is fine—it speeds up upload and saves bandwidth. Don't over-compress; YouTube's encoder handles quality.

General Tips

Match aspect ratio to the platform. Use MP4 with H.264—universal compatibility. For file size limits (e.g., Twitter's 512 MB), set a target in Media Shrinker and compress until the file fits. Each platform is different, but a clean, well-compressed source is the best starting point.