What aspect ratio do I need for TikTok?

TikTok uses 9:16 vertical format (1080×1920). Select the 9:16 preset in our Video Cropper.

How do I remove black bars from my video?

Select the aspect ratio that matches your visible content area (usually 16:9) and position the crop rectangle to cover just the visible portion.

Can I crop video to a custom size?

Yes! Use the "Free" crop option to set any custom dimensions or aspect ratio you need.

Does cropping reduce video quality?

Cropping reduces the frame area but does not reduce the quality of the remaining area. The output is re-encoded at high quality.

How to Crop Video for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube: Aspect Ratio Guide

Every social media platform has its own ideal video dimensions. Upload the wrong aspect ratio and your video gets cropped awkwardly, padded with black bars, or — worst of all — ignored by the algorithm. Here's exactly how to crop your videos for every major platform.

Social Media Aspect Ratios Cheat Sheet

Platform	Format	Aspect Ratio	Resolution
YouTube	Standard	16:9	1920×1080
YouTube Shorts	Vertical	9:16	1080×1920
TikTok	Vertical	9:16	1080×1920
Instagram Reels	Vertical	9:16	1080×1920
Instagram Feed	Square	1:1	1080×1080
Instagram Stories	Vertical	9:16	1080×1920
Facebook Feed	Square or 4:5	1:1 / 4:5	1080×1080 / 1080×1350
Twitter/X	Standard	16:9	1920×1080

Step-by-Step: Cropping Video for Social Media

Upload your video to our free Video Cropper (supports MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV).
Select your target aspect ratio from the presets:
- 16:9 — YouTube, Twitter/X
- 9:16 — TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Stories
- 1:1 — Instagram Feed, Facebook Feed
- 4:3 — Classic/retro format
- Free crop — Set any custom dimensions
Position the crop area by dragging the rectangle to focus on the important part of your frame.
Click "Crop Video" and download the perfectly sized result.

Pro Tips for Each Platform

TikTok & Instagram Reels (9:16)

Keep the main subject in the center 60% of the frame — UI elements overlay the edges.
Avoid placing text near the bottom 20% (caption area) or right side (like/comment buttons).
Vertical video gets 2-3x more engagement on these platforms than horizontal.

YouTube Standard (16:9)

Use 1920×1080 minimum. 4K (3840×2160) is increasingly preferred.
Crop to remove any unwanted edges from multi-camera or screen recordings.

YouTube Shorts (9:16)

Must be under 60 seconds to qualify as a Short.
Same safe-zone rules as TikTok apply.

Instagram Feed (1:1 Square)

Square posts take up more screen space in the feed than landscape.
Center your subject carefully — cropping too tight on faces looks unnatural.

Remove Black Bars Automatically

One of the most common reasons to crop is removing black bars from videos that were letterboxed or pillarboxed. Simply select the matching aspect ratio preset and position the crop area over the visible content — the black bars are instantly removed.

Why Crop Instead of Re-Recording?

Save time: You already have the perfect footage — just fix the framing.
Repurpose content: Turn a horizontal YouTube video into vertical TikTok clips.
Multi-platform strategy: Record once, crop for every platform.