TikTok is arguably the most visual-heavy platform on the internet. Unlike Facebook or LinkedIn, where text plays a huge role, TikTok is 100% about the full-screen video experience.
Because the interface overlays so many buttons on top of your video, getting the dimensions wrong is fatal. If your caption is hidden behind a username, or your punchline is covered by the “Like” button, your engagement will plummet.
The Official Specs
- Dimensions: 1080 pixels (width) by 1920 pixels (height).
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16.
- File Type: MP4 or MOV.
- Max Length: Up to 10 minutes (though 15-60 seconds is best for virality).
The “Safe Zone” Map
TikTok’s interface is much more cluttered than Instagram’s. You have to navigate around a “UI Minefield.”
The “No-Go” Areas:
- Right Side: The Profile photo, Like heart, Comment bubble, Bookmark, and Share arrow take up the bottom-right column.
- Bottom: The Caption (which can be long!) and the “Original Sound” disc cover the bottom 20-30% of the screen.
- Top: The “Following / For You” tabs cover the very top center.
Pro Tip: Always keep your text overlays and main subjects in the center or the upper-left quadrant. Never put important text at the bottom or the far right.
Why 1080×1920 is Mandatory
While you can upload landscape (16:9) videos, TikTok will add massive black bars to the top and bottom. Data shows that vertical, full-screen videos perform significantly better because they feel native to the platform and the “For You” page.