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Wrong export settings are one of the most common ways a finished video gets rejected, looks soft, or fails to upload correctly. Every platform has different requirements — and most editors have had to figure them out the hard way.
This guide covers the correct export settings for the three major platforms, explained clearly so you can apply them in any NLE.
YouTube re-encodes every video you upload, so the goal isn't to match YouTube's internal format — it's to give their encoder the best possible source to work with.
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Container | MP4 |
| Video codec | H.264 or H.265 |
| Resolution (standard) | 1920x1080 (1080p) or 3840x2160 (4K) |
| Frame rate | Match source (24, 25, 30, 60fps) |
| Bitrate (1080p) | 15–20 Mbps (VBR) |
| Bitrate (4K) | 35–45 Mbps (VBR) |
| Audio codec | AAC |
| Audio bitrate | 320 kbps |
YouTube's compression is more aggressive at lower bitrates, so uploading at 15–20 Mbps for 1080p gives their encoder more data to work with and results in a better-looking final video on the platform than uploading a heavily compressed file.
If you're uploading 4K content, YouTube displays it much better than 1080p even on standard monitors, because their compression algorithm treats 4K uploads with a higher quality tier. Some editors shoot and export at 4K specifically for this reason, then let YouTube downsample to 1080p for viewers.
Instagram compresses video more aggressively than YouTube. The closer your export is to what Instagram expects, the less quality is lost during their re-encoding.
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Container | MP4 |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 vertical |
| Resolution | 1080x1920 |
| Video codec | H.264 |
| Frame rate | 30fps (or match source) |
| Bitrate | 8–10 Mbps |
| Audio codec | AAC |
| Audio bitrate | 192–320 kbps |
Instagram's feed posts also accept video, but the crop behavior differs: feed videos support 1:1 (square), 4:5 (portrait), and 16:9 (landscape). Reels are always 9:16. If you're creating both, export separately — don't let Instagram crop a Reels export for the feed.
TikTok's compression is similar to Instagram's in aggressiveness. The same principles apply: give TikTok a high-quality source and let their encoder handle the rest.
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Container | MP4 |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 vertical |
| Resolution | 1080x1920 |
| Video codec | H.264 |
| Frame rate | 30fps |
| Bitrate | 8–15 Mbps |
| Audio codec | AAC |
| Audio bitrate | 192–320 kbps |
TikTok also supports horizontal (16:9) and square (1:1) formats for certain content types, but 9:16 vertical is the primary format and what the algorithm favors for reach.
If you edit on a computer, export the file and upload it through TikTok Studio on desktop rather than transferring it to your phone. TikTok Studio accepts higher-quality files and runs a better transcoder than the mobile app.
| Platform | Aspect ratio | Resolution | Codec | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube (landscape) | 16:9 | 1920x1080 / 3840x2160 | H.264/H.265 | 15–45 Mbps |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | H.264 | 8–15 Mbps |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | H.264 | 8–10 Mbps |
| TikTok | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | H.264 | 8–15 Mbps |
Exporting at the wrong aspect ratio. The most common issue. If you edit a 16:9 sequence and export it for Reels without reframing to 9:16 first, Instagram will either crop it badly or add black bars. Always build a separate sequence in the correct aspect ratio for each platform.
Using the wrong frame rate. If your source footage is 24fps and you export at 30fps, the NLE has to generate duplicate frames. The result looks slightly wrong — a subtle judder that's hard to identify but easy to feel. Always match your export frame rate to your source. Here's a full guide on frame rates for video.
Exporting at too low a bitrate. Platform compression is already aggressive. If you export at a low bitrate, then the platform compresses it again, the result compounds. Always export at the highest reasonable bitrate for your platform target.
Ignoring the safe zone. On vertical platforms the interface covers the edges of the frame. Keep captions, names, and important text away from the bottom and the right edge, where the buttons and description sit, so a platform element doesn't cut them off.
Not saving export presets. Every editor sets up the same export settings multiple times across different projects. Create a saved preset for each platform in your NLE and never enter these settings manually again.
Ignoring audio loudness standards. YouTube and streaming platforms normalize audio to −14 LUFS. If your export is significantly louder or quieter than that, the platform will adjust it automatically — sometimes with audible side effects. Mix to the standard before export.
MP4 with H.264 or H.265 codec, 1920x1080 or 3840x2160 resolution, 15–20 Mbps bitrate for 1080p, AAC audio at 320 kbps. This gives YouTube's encoder the best source to work with and results in the highest quality final video on the platform.
H.265 (HEVC) produces better quality at lower file sizes, but takes longer to encode and some older systems can't play it back natively. H.264 is more universally compatible and still produces excellent results. For most editors, H.264 is the safer default choice.
1080x1920 pixels (9:16 vertical aspect ratio) at 30fps. This matches what Instagram expects natively and minimizes quality loss during their re-encoding process.
Instagram compresses video aggressively. The most common causes of blurry uploads are: exporting at too low a bitrate before upload, uploading over a slow mobile connection, or the platform taking time to process the full-quality version (check back 30–60 minutes after upload). Exporting at 8–10 Mbps with H.264 minimizes compression artifacts.
Yes. Regular YouTube videos use a 16:9 horizontal aspect ratio (1920x1080). YouTube Shorts use a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio (1080x1920). The codec and bitrate settings are similar, but you need separate sequences and exports for each format.
Want more practical guides for working video editors? Browse the full blog.
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