Upload problems
Video won't upload to Pinterest? Format, length and web vs app
Short answer
Pinterest's Pin spec lists .MP4 and .M4V for uploads on the web and .MP4, .MOV and .M4V on Android and iOS, with H.264 or H.265 video and a length from 4 seconds to 5 minutes. A video that fails is usually the wrong file type for the web uploader (a MOV), a length outside 4 seconds to 5 minutes, or a codec Pinterest does not list. Check the file with ffprobe, then re-export an MP4 with H.264 and AAC.
Key takeaways
- Web uploader: MP4 or M4V. Android and iOS apps: MP4, MOV or M4V.
- Video encoding: H.264 or H.265. Length: minimum 4 seconds, maximum 5 minutes.
- Pinterest recommends 9:16 (1080 × 1920) for full-bleed video, and also lists 1:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5 and 1:1.
- The Pin spec states no video file size; the 2 GB and 15 minute figures belong to video ads.
- Drafts expire after 30 days and cannot be edited across devices.
Find your case
| What you see | What it usually means | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| MOV rejected on the website | The web uploader lists MP4 and M4V only | Convert to MP4 or use the app (step 2) |
| Upload rejected immediately | Unsupported file type or codec | Convert to MP4 H.264 (step 2) |
| Too short or too long | Under 4 seconds or over 5 minutes | Extend, trim or split (step 3) |
| Works on desktop, not on phone | Draft or storage limit on the device | Free at least 100 MB and retry (step 4) |
Fix it step by step
Read the file's details
ffprobe -hide_banner in.mp4shows container, video codec, duration and size. Compare against the numbers above.Export MP4 with H.264
ffmpeg -i in.mov -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart out.mp4. MP4 is on the list for both the web and the apps.Fit the length
Between 4 seconds and 5 minutes for a Pin. Pinterest's video ad spec allows up to 15 minutes, but that is a different product.
Mind drafts and storage
Pinterest says you need at least 100 MB free on a phone to create a draft, that drafts expire after 30 days and that a draft cannot be finished on a different device.
Check before you upload
- Container: MP4 or M4V on the web; MP4, MOV or M4V in the apps.
- Video codec: H.264 or H.265.
- Length 4 seconds to 5 minutes.
- Shape: 9:16 for full bleed, or one of the other listed ratios.
Check your file
Extension and MIME type are labels, not proof of the container. Dimensions and duration come from this browser's media reader. This does not detect codecs, bitrate, corruption or platform upload compatibility. Files and measurements are not sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What video formats does Pinterest accept?
On the web .MP4 and .M4V; on Android and iOS .MP4, .MOV and .M4V, all with H.264 or H.265 encoding, per Pinterest's Pin spec.
How long can a Pinterest video Pin be?
At least 4 seconds and at most 5 minutes. Video ads can run up to 15 minutes under the ad spec.
Is there a video file size limit for Pins?
The Pin spec does not state one for video; the 2 GB figure is from the video ad spec. Keep files as small as quality allows.
What aspect ratio does Pinterest recommend?
9:16, or 1080 × 1920, for full-bleed video, with 1:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5 and 1:1 as other options.
Sources
- Pinterest Help: Review Pin specs (organic Video Pin file types, length, aspect ratio, safe zones) (official, checked 2026-10-06)
- Pinterest Business Help: Ad specs (video ads: file types, size, length) (official, checked 2026-10-06)
- Pinterest Help: Create a Pin (upload a video) (official, checked 2026-10-06)
Reviewed 2026-10-06. Steps not attributed to a source are general video practice or computed above.