Video aspect ratios and sizes: 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1 for ads and social
By Kai · Updated Oct 19, 2026 · 2 min read
Short answer
Use 16:9 (1920 x 1080) for YouTube and websites, 9:16 (1080 x 1920) for Stories, Reels, TikTok and Shorts, and 1:1 (1080 x 1080) for feed posts. One storyboard can be re-rendered in all three if the scenes are built from your assets.
| Ratio | Size | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 | YouTube, website, landing page, presentations |
| 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | Stories, Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts |
| 1:1 | 1080 x 1080 | Feed posts, carousels, some ad placements |
Design for all three at once
- Keep the key words and the product in the center area so a crop does not cut them.
- For 9:16 keep text away from the top and bottom, where the app puts its own buttons.
- Write captions big enough to read on a phone.
In my packages the Promo includes 16:9 and 9:16, and the Explainer includes 16:9, 9:16 and 1:1. An extra size is +$39 on any package. Platforms change their rules, so confirm the current size before you upload.
Questions people ask
Which video size is best for TikTok and Reels?
9:16, 1080 x 1920.
Can one video be made in all three sizes?
Yes, if the scenes are built from your assets and re-rendered per size, instead of cropped after the fact.
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