Pinterest Video Size, Resolution and Format
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The recommended Pinterest video size is 1080 × 1920 pixels, which is a 9:16 aspect ratio. A video in that shape fills the whole screen of a phone.
Pinterest accepts five other aspect ratios, a short list of file types, and videos between 4 seconds and 5 minutes long. The values below are the ones Pinterest publishes for standard video Pins. Ads have different limits, and many guides mix the two.
Pinterest Video Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Value for a video Pin |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16) |
| Other aspect ratios | 1:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5 and 1:1 |
| File type on the web | .MP4, .M4V |
| File type in the app | .MP4, .MOV, .M4V |
| Encoding | H.264 or H.265 |
| Length | 4 seconds to 5 minutes |
| Title | Up to 100 characters |
| Description | Up to 800 characters |
These values come from Pinterest's Help Center page on Pin specs.
Aspect Ratios Pinterest Accepts
Pinterest recommends 9:16 for a full-screen video. It also accepts 1:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5 and 1:1.
The aspect ratio decides how much of the screen the video covers. A 9:16 video is full-bleed. A square 1:1 video leaves space above and below it.
The shape matters for downloads as well. Pinterest's own download feature applies to full-screen 9:16 video Pins only.
File Format and Encoding
Pinterest takes MP4 and M4V files on the web. The Android and iOS apps take MP4, M4V and MOV. A MOV file from an iPhone uploads from the phone, but not from a desktop browser.
The video inside the file has to be encoded as H.264 or H.265. H.265 is also called HEVC.
Video Length: Pins and Ads Have Different Limits
A standard video Pin runs from 4 seconds to 5 minutes.
Video ads are longer. Pinterest's ad specs allow 4 seconds to 15 minutes and a file of up to 2GB, and they recommend 6 to 15 seconds.
Guides that give 15 minutes or 2GB as the limit for every Pinterest video are quoting the ad specs. Pinterest's page for standard Pins states the 5-minute limit and gives no maximum file size for video.
Safe Zones for Text
Pinterest places its own buttons and text over a full-screen video. To keep your text readable, Pinterest advises leaving these margins clear in a 1080 × 1920 video:
- Top: 270 pixels
- Left: 65 pixels
- Right: 195 pixels
- Bottom: 790 pixels
What Size Is a Downloaded Pinterest Video?
The file a viewer gets is smaller than the file the creator uploaded. Pinterest compresses each upload and stores a few versions of it.
In our tests on public video Pins, the largest MP4 version Pinterest served was 720 pixels wide, which is 720 × 1280 for a vertical video. A request for a 1080-pixel version was refused.
That is why a tool to download Pinterest videos cannot honestly offer 1080p or 4K. It is also why uploading a downloaded video again adds no detail: the pixels were already removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum file size for a Pinterest video?
Pinterest's page for standard video Pins gives no maximum file size. The 2GB figure applies to video ads.
Can I upload a MOV file from my computer?
No. On the web Pinterest lists MP4 and M4V. MOV is accepted in the Android and iOS apps.
Can I download a Pinterest video in 1080p?
No. In our tests the largest MP4 file Pinterest served was 720 pixels wide.
How do I save a Pinterest video to my phone?
The guide on how to save Pinterest video files to the camera roll has the steps for iPhone and Android.