Why is TikTok cropping my video? Causes & fixes
Compare the original with the TikTok upload preview. A 9:16 crop may fit your intended vertical placement, but other shapes are not necessarily rejected or always cropped. Crop a copy only after checking which content the preview removes.
Check these first
- Source aspect ratio vs. TikTok's 9:16
- Whether the important subject sits outside the vertical center third of a wider frame
Likely causes
- Source isn't 9:16
When a video in a different shape is placed into a 9:16 frame, the player may crop, pad or scale it. Preview the exact placement; the editing target is not a universal acceptance rule.
Fix it
- Crop to 9:16 before uploading
The linked crop tool center-crops files up to 100 MB; check the generated copy before using it. Use your editor for an adjustable crop or padded canvas, and keep the original.
Crop video
Platform reference and evidence
These reference values have partial source coverage. Ratios and dimensions are editing guidance; account and upload-surface limits can differ. Approximate or unknown values do not certify eligibility.
- Platform
- TikTok
- Editing ratio
- 9:16
- Max length
- up to 10 minutes via the Content Posting API; account limits vary
- Max file size
- 4 GB via the Content Posting API
Duration and size: reference and limitations. Approximate values still need confirmation in your composer.
The API allows uploads up to 10 minutes, but the account-specific publishing limit may be shorter. Native app and web limits can differ.
Format reference scope: Content Posting API; native app/web acceptance may differ. Source checked 2026-09-12; this does not verify every reference field. TikTok Media Transfer Guide
Prepare a copy in Koldflux, review its output and check the current destination requirements before publishing.
Automate this in Koldflux