# Vertical video

Canonical URL: https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/vertical-video
Last updated: 2026-10-08

> Definition: Vertical video is video framed taller than it is wide, most commonly in a 9:16 aspect ratio at 1080 × 1920 pixels, designed to fill a phone screen held upright.

Vertical video fits the way people hold their phones. A 9:16 frame fills the whole screen without the viewer rotating anything, which is why every short-form feed (Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts) is built around it. What once looked like a filming mistake is now the default shape for social video.

## What are the specs for vertical video?

Vertical video is usually 9:16 at 1080 × 1920 pixels. Platform rules worth knowing:

| Platform | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 or 1:1 | Square or vertical uploads up to 3 minutes count as Shorts ([source](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15424877?hl=en)) |
| Instagram Reels ads | 9:16 | Meta recommends 1440 × 2560 and a safe zone of 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% sides ([source](https://www.facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video/instagram-reels)) |
| TikTok | 9:16 | Interface overlays the bottom and right edge |

## How do you compose for vertical video?

Composing for vertical video means stacking instead of placing side by side. Useful rules:

- **Keep the face in the upper-middle.** The bottom is covered by captions and the post's text.
- **Stack graphics.** A product screen goes above the speaker, not beside them.
- **Mind the [safe zone](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/safe-zone).** Keep text away from the bottom third and the right-hand buttons.
- **Make captions bigger.** The screen is small and often muted.
- **Hook immediately.** Feeds autoplay, so the first second decides the swipe. See [video hook](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/video-hook).

## Vertical video vs horizontal video: when should you use each?

Use vertical video for phone-first feeds and horizontal (16:9) for YouTube long-form, websites and anything watched on a laptop or TV. Many creators record once and make both: a 16:9 master for YouTube and 9:16 cut-downs for Shorts and Reels. Framing the camera a bit wider than usual makes the vertical crop easier.

## How does Vidiyo handle vertical video?

Vidiyo starts new projects in 9:16 by default and exports vertical video at 1080 × 1920. The assistant knows the vertical interface: it places captions clear of faces and the Reels, TikTok and Shorts overlays, and its motion graphics lay out in bands that avoid them. Layouts like a speaker in a rounded card on the lower half with the product above, or a round speaker bubble, are built from layer boxes you can adjust. You can also convert a 16:9 project and ask for a vertical reframe of the same edit.

## Frequently asked questions

### What size is a 9:16 vertical video?

The common size is 1080 × 1920 pixels. Meta recommends 1440 × 2560 for Reels ads, which is the same 9:16 shape at a higher resolution.

### How long can a YouTube Short be?

Up to three minutes. Since 15 October 2024, YouTube classifies square or vertical uploads of up to three minutes as Shorts.

### Can I turn a horizontal video into a vertical one?

Yes, by cropping in on the subject or by stacking the horizontal shot inside the vertical frame with the speaker or a background around it. Cropping a 16:9 shot to 9:16 keeps about a third of its width.

## Related terms

- [Aspect ratio](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/aspect-ratio)
- [Safe zone](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/safe-zone)
- [Talking-head video](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/talking-head-video)
- [Video hook](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/video-hook)

## Where Vidiyo does this

- [Video aspect ratios for social media](https://getvidiyo.app/blog/video-aspect-ratios-for-social-media)
- [How to repurpose one video for every platform](https://getvidiyo.app/blog/repurpose-one-video-for-every-platform)
- [The best caption styles for Reels and Shorts](https://getvidiyo.app/blog/caption-styles-for-reels-and-shorts)

## Sources

- [Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts (YouTube Help)](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15424877?hl=en) (accessed 2026-10-08)
- [Instagram Reels ads specifications (Meta Ads Guide)](https://www.facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video/instagram-reels) (accessed 2026-10-08)