Every platform wants video in a slightly different shape. Get it wrong and your subject’s head is cropped, your captions sit under the buttons, or your video plays with black bars. Here’s a simple guide to formats that work, and how to shoot once for all of them.
Quick reference: sizes by platform
| Platform | Best aspect ratio | Recommended resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 (vertical) | 1080 × 1920 |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 (vertical) | 1080 × 1920 |
| Instagram feed post | 4:5 (portrait) | 1080 × 1350 |
| LinkedIn feed video | 1:1 or 4:5 (mobile-friendly), 16:9 also supported | 1080 × 1080 or 1080 × 1350 |
| YouTube (standard) | 16:9 (horizontal) | 1920 × 1080 or 3840 × 2160 (4K) |
Maximum video lengths change often, so check each platform’s current limits before you plan a series.
Keep text inside the safe zone
On vertical video, the top and bottom of the screen are covered by the username, caption and buttons. Keep titles, captions and logos roughly in the centre area of the frame, away from the top and bottom edges and the right-hand side where the like and share buttons sit.
Shoot once, publish everywhere
- Frame for the centre. Keep the subject in the middle third so you can crop to 9:16, 4:5 and 1:1 without losing them.
- Shoot in 4K horizontal when you need a YouTube version too; you’ll have resolution to spare when cropping to vertical.
- Or shoot two angles: one horizontal, one vertical, for the most important content.
- Record clean audio. Viewers forgive average video far more than bad sound.
Editing tips that improve watch time
- Hook in the first two seconds: start with the result, a question or movement.
- Burn in captions: many people watch without sound.
- Cut tight: remove pauses and repeated sentences.
- End with one clear action: follow, visit, message or buy.
- Use trending audio thoughtfully: only when it suits your brand.
Repurposing long videos
A 30-minute podcast or webinar can become a month of short clips. Pick the moments that stand alone, crop to vertical, add captions and a clear title on screen. AI tools now speed this up considerably.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best size for Instagram Reels?
9:16 vertical at 1080 × 1920 pixels. Keep important text away from the top and bottom edges so app buttons don’t cover it.
Can I post the same video to Reels and YouTube Shorts?
Yes. Both use 9:16 vertical video. Remove any platform watermark before cross-posting and adjust the caption for each platform.
What aspect ratio works best on LinkedIn?
Square (1:1) or portrait (4:5) videos take up more space in the mobile feed. Horizontal 16:9 is supported too.
Need a month of Reels and Shorts from one shoot?
Want to edit them yourself? Our Reels & Shorts template pack is coming soon.