Best Video Formats for Social Media in 2025
Why Format Matters
Each social platform has preferred video specs. Uploading in the right format means faster processing, better quality, and fewer re-encoding artefacts. The wrong format may even be rejected entirely.
Platform Recommendations
YouTube supports almost everything but recommends MP4 (H.264 + AAC). Instagram and Facebook prefer MP4 with H.264 at up to 30 fps. TikTok requires MP4 or MOV, vertical 9:16. Twitter/X supports MP4 with H.264 up to 512 MB. LinkedIn accepts MP4 with H.264, max 10 minutes for standard accounts.
Resolution & Aspect Ratio
For feed posts, 1080×1080 (1:1) or 1080×1350 (4:5) works across most platforms. Stories and Reels use 1080×1920 (9:16). YouTube videos should target 1920×1080 (16:9) or 3840×2160 for 4K. Always export at the native resolution of your footage to avoid upscaling artefacts.
Converting with CocoConvert
Upload your video in any format — MOV, AVI, MKV, WebM — and convert to MP4 with H.264. CocoConvert preserves the original resolution and audio quality. For advanced users, options like bitrate control and codec selection are available.