How to edit vertical videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts

The settings that work everywhere

Set these before you start cutting, so you never have to re-frame later.

• Aspect ratio 9:16 (vertical, full screen). 1080 x 1920 pixels is the standard export size; TikTok's ad specifications accept vertical video from 540 x 960, so 1080 x 1920 is a safe quality target rather than a strict rule.
• Frame rate 30 fps for talking videos, or match your camera (25, 30, or 60). TikTok's developer documentation lists 23 to 60 fps as the accepted range.
• Export MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio, which all three apps accept.
• Shoot vertically when you can. Cropping horizontal 4K to vertical works, but loses about two thirds of the frame.

Length rules, from the platforms (checked 2 October 2026)

Maximum lengths have changed several times since 2023, and some limits depend on your account. Check the length options in each app before you edit a long video.

• Instagram Reels: Instagram Help says you can record and edit reels up to 20 minutes, but reels over 3 minutes won't be recommended to new audiences. To reach people who do not follow you, stay at 3 minutes or less.
• YouTube Shorts: YouTube treats square or vertical videos up to 3 minutes as Shorts (since 15 October 2024). Longer vertical videos are treated as regular videos.
• TikTok: limits vary by account and by upload method. TikTok's developer documentation says all creators can post 3-minute videos and some can post 5 or 10 minutes; uploads in the app and on the web can be longer for many accounts. For the TikTok Creator Rewards Program, a video must be original and at least 1 minute long.
• Practical rule: a 30 to 90 second cut works on all three. Make a separate longer cut only when the story needs it.

A repeatable editing workflow

This works in CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, or the editors built into each app.

• Write the hook first: one sentence that says what the viewer gets. Put it in the first one to two seconds, both spoken and as on-screen text.
• Rough cut: drop all clips on the timeline, then delete every pause, false start, and repeated sentence. Short-form editing is mostly removing.
• Pattern changes: change something every few seconds (a cut, zoom, new angle, B-roll, or text) so the screen never sits still for long.
• Captions: add auto-captions, then correct names and numbers by hand. Many people watch without sound.
• Safe area: keep text and faces away from the bottom fifth and the right edge, where the caption, username, and buttons cover the video. Preview on a phone before posting.
• Audio: keep speech clearly louder than music. Use sounds from the app's own library, or music you have a licence for, so the video is not muted or blocked.
• End: finish on a clear payoff or question rather than a long outro. A loop that flows back into the start can help rewatches.

One edit, three platforms

Reposting the same video is common, but each platform prefers original content without another app's watermark. Instagram says a third-party watermark on a reel may affect its reach.

• Export a clean master from your editor, without any app watermark, and upload that file to each platform.
• Write the caption and hashtags separately for each app, and pick the cover frame inside each upload screen.
• Add trending sounds inside each app at upload time if you want them, rather than baking them into the master.
• Compare results in each app's analytics after 48 hours; watch retention matters more than views alone.

Tools mentioned

CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube built-in editors. Features and availability can change; check each provider's official information before choosing a tool.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• CapCut Tutorial: Edit a Video for Beginners
• How do I add subtitles to a video?
• How do I make useful Instagram Reels?
• YouTube Shorts Monetization Explained (2026 and 2027)
• How do I find TikTok content ideas?