Social Media Video Aspect Ratios That Actually Work in 2026
Video continues to dominate how people discover, trust, and buy from brands online. If you want your content to perform well on social media in 2026, getting your video aspect ratios right is no longer optional. It directly affects how your video displays, how long people watch, and how platforms decide whether to show it to more users.
This guide explains how social media video aspect ratios work today, which formats perform best on each platform, and how small businesses can avoid common mistakes that reduce reach and engagement.
Why Video Aspect Ratios Matter for Small Business Marketing
Video now makes up the majority of online traffic, and most of that viewing happens on mobile devices. When a video is uploaded in the wrong format, platforms automatically crop or resize it. This often cuts off captions, faces, or key visuals, which lowers watch time and increases drop-off.
Correct video dimensions help your content fill the screen naturally. That leads to better engagement signals such as longer viewing sessions, more replays, and higher completion rates. These signals matter because social platforms prioritise content that keeps users watching.
From our experience producing video content for UK-based businesses, vertical formats consistently perform best on mobile-first platforms. Starting with the right aspect ratio also reduces the need for heavy editing later, saving time and preserving quality.
Social Media Video Aspect Ratio Quick Reference
The table below shows the most reliable video aspect ratios and resolutions for major platforms in 2026. This acts as a practical reference point, especially if you are repurposing the same video across multiple channels.
| Platform | Best Aspect Ratios 2025 | Recommended Resolution | Max Video Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:9 (landscape), 1:1 (square), 9:16 (portrait) | 1280x720 to 1080x1920 | 240 min (but 1-2 min optimal) | |
| 1.91:1 (landscape), 1:1 (square), 4:5 (portrait), 9:16 (Reels/Stories) | 1080x566 to 1080x1920 | 60s (feed), 90s (Reels) | |
| 1:1 (square), 16:9 (horizontal), 9:16 (vertical) | 1080x1080 to 1080x1920 | 10 min | |
| TikTok | 9:16 (vertical) | 1080x1920 | 3 min |
| X (formerly Twitter) | 16:9 or 9:16 recommended | 1920x1080 or 1080x1920 | 2 min 20s |
| YouTube | 16:9 (standard), 9:16 (Shorts) | 1920x1080 to 1080x1920 | 3-3.5 min optimal |
Facebook - Choosing the Right Video Layout
Facebook supports a wide range of video formats, but performance varies depending on placement. Landscape video still works well for longer-form content and desktop viewing, while square and vertical formats are better suited to mobile feeds.
Vertical video performs particularly well in Stories, where users are already in a full-screen, swipe-based mindset. For ads and organic posts, matching your video format to how your audience is most likely to watch improves completion rates and reduces wasted impressions.
In practical campaigns, we often see stronger results when businesses create one core video and export it in multiple formats rather than relying on automatic cropping.
Practical tip
If your audience is primarily mobile, prioritise vertical or square formats over landscape.Instagram - Video Formats That Perform Well
Instagram continues to support a mix of video layouts, but performance is increasingly shaped by how content appears on mobile. Portrait and vertical formats now dominate attention because they occupy more of the screen and slow down scrolling behaviour.
In the feed, portrait video consistently performs better than landscape because it feels more natural within the vertical flow of content. Square video still works for repurposing, but it no longer offers the same visibility advantage it once did.
Stories and Reels are designed entirely around full-screen viewing. Vertical video fits these placements cleanly and avoids awkward cropping or hidden captions caused by interface overlays.
Practical tip
When filming for Instagram, frame with safe margins at the top and bottom to allow for captions, usernames, and buttons that sit over the video.LinkedIn - What Works for Video
LinkedIn video consumption has shifted steadily towards mobile. Square and vertical formats now perform well in feeds, particularly for thought leadership, behind-the-scenes content, and short explainers.
Landscape video still works for webinars and longer-form content, but mobile-first formats tend to feel more natural during everyday browsing. Clear subtitles are especially important, as many users watch without sound.
For B2B audiences, clarity and framing often matter more than flashy editing.
Practical tip
Square video strikes a good balance on LinkedIn if you want one format that works across desktop and mobile.TikTok - How to Frame Video for
TikTok remains firmly focused on vertical video. Content that does not fill the screen usually feels recycled and is more likely to be skipped. Videos filmed vertically feel immersive and align with how users expect content to appear on the platform.
Although TikTok supports longer videos, attention still depends heavily on the first few seconds. Clear framing, readable captions, and safe margins for text are essential to keep viewers watching.
From a production perspective, TikTok rewards content that feels native rather than overly polished. Filming in the correct aspect ratio from the start gives you more creative freedom and avoids last-minute compromises.
Practical tip
Using TikTok’s in-app camera and editing tools often helps videos blend in naturally with other content on the platform.YouTube - Video Formats Explained
YouTube continues to favour landscape video for standard uploads, as this matches how content is viewed on desktops, TVs, and tablets. Clear framing and high-resolution uploads help avoid compression issues and preserve detail.
At the same time, vertical video plays a growing role through Shorts. These are designed for quick, mobile-first consumption and work best when filmed specifically for vertical viewing rather than repurposed from landscape footage.
Using the right format for each type of content helps maintain consistency and improves click-through rates, particularly when paired with strong thumbnails.
Practical tip
Think of standard videos and Shorts as separate formats with different goals, rather than forcing one video to serve both.X - Video Layout Tips
Video on X works best when it is concise and immediately clear. Both landscape and vertical formats are supported, but keeping videos short improves the chances of replays and shares.
Vertical video tends to feel more native on mobile, while landscape video can work well for announcements or links that drive traffic elsewhere. Whichever format you choose, strong opening visuals are essential.
Practical tip
Keep videos focused and use captions to communicate the message quickly.
Tools That Make Resizing Simple
Resizing video for social media does not need to be complicated. Tools such as Canva, Kapwing, and Adobe Express offer platform-specific presets that make exporting the correct dimensions straightforward.
For more flexibility, filming in higher resolution allows you to crop for different platforms without losing quality. This approach works especially well for businesses creating content for multiple channels from the same shoot.
Internal linking between related videos and blog posts also helps improve engagement and on-site time.
FAQ: Social Media Video Aspect Ratios
What video aspect ratios work best on social media right now
Vertical video performs best on mobile-first platforms, while landscape remains suitable for long-form viewing on larger screens.
How should I choose formats for Instagram video
Vertical formats work best for Reels and Stories, while portrait video offers better visibility in the feed.
Do aspect ratios affect video SEO and reach
Yes. Videos that display correctly load faster, retain attention longer, and send stronger quality signals to platform algorithms.
Final Thoughts
Social media video aspect ratios do not need to be confusing. By choosing formats that match how people actually watch content, you give your videos a better chance to perform well without increasing production costs.
As a London-based video production team, we help small businesses plan, film, and adapt video content that works across platforms. If you want a quick-reference cheatsheet or advice tailored to your brand, download our free guide below or explore our related resources.
