Spotify Canvas video codec and container support
Spotify for Artists says a Canvas must be an MP4 or JPG file, 3 to 8 seconds long, vertical at 9:16 and between 720 and 1080 pixels tall. The page read on 2026-10-08 does not name a video codec, audio codec, frame rate or file-size ceiling. MP4 is a container, so the page does not establish H.264, HEVC or AV1 acceptance.
Safe default export: MP4, H264 video, AAC audio at 4,000 kbps. Open the Spotify Canvas export preset.
What the official pages state
| Surface | Documented fact | Official page |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas file | MP4 or JPG | Spotify Canvas guidelines |
| Canvas duration and frame | 3 to 8 seconds; 9:16; 720 to 1080 px tall | Spotify Canvas guidelines |
| Codec | Not stated in the page read | Spotify Canvas guidelines |
The same page warns that phone edges may crop the Canvas. Codec guidance must remain separate from layout guidance.
Documented combinations
| Codec and container | Status | What the source says |
|---|---|---|
| H.264 / AVC in MP4 | Recommended | Spotify Canvas lists MP4 + H.264. |
| AAC in MP4 | Accepted | AAC is the documented audio codec inside the Canvas MP4. |
| H.264 / AVC in MOV (QuickTime) | Conditional | Spotify accepts MOV for Canvas in some upload tools. |
| AAC in MOV (QuickTime) | Conditional | AAC inside MOV is supported depending on upload tool. |
Quick answers
Does Spotify Canvas support H.264 (AVC)?
Yes: Spotify Canvas documents H.264 (AVC) in MP4 (recommended), MOV (conditional).
Does Spotify Canvas support H.265 (HEVC)?
Spotify Canvas's published upload documentation does not list H.265 (HEVC) in any container checked here. It may still upload; H.264 in MP4 is the documented safe choice.
Does Spotify Canvas support AV1?
Spotify Canvas's published upload documentation does not list AV1 in any container checked here. It may still upload; H.264 in MP4 is the documented safe choice.
Does Spotify Canvas support VP9?
Spotify Canvas's published upload documentation does not list VP9 in any container checked here. It may still upload; H.264 in MP4 is the documented safe choice.
Does Spotify Canvas support VP8?
Spotify Canvas's published upload documentation does not list VP8 in any container checked here. It may still upload; H.264 in MP4 is the documented safe choice.
Does Spotify Canvas support MPEG-4 Part 2?
Spotify Canvas's published upload documentation does not list MPEG-4 Part 2 in any container checked here. It may still upload; H.264 in MP4 is the documented safe choice.
Does Spotify Canvas support ProRes?
Spotify Canvas's published upload documentation does not list ProRes in any container checked here. It may still upload; H.264 in MP4 is the documented safe choice.
Every combination checked
Recommended: 1 · Accepted: 1 · Conditional: 2 · Not documented: 28 · Non-standard mux: 16
| Codec | MP4 | MOV | WebM | MKV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 / AVC | Recommended | Conditional | Non-standard mux | Not documented |
| H.265 / HEVC | Not documented | Not documented | Non-standard mux | Not documented |
| AV1 | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
| VP9 | Not documented | Non-standard mux | Not documented | Not documented |
| VP8 | Non-standard mux | Non-standard mux | Not documented | Not documented |
| MPEG-4 Part 2 | Not documented | Not documented | Non-standard mux | Not documented |
| ProRes | Not documented | Not documented | Non-standard mux | Not documented |
| Codec | MP4 | MOV | WebM | MKV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAC | Accepted | Conditional | Non-standard mux | Not documented |
| MP3 | Not documented | Not documented | Non-standard mux | Not documented |
| Opus | Non-standard mux | Non-standard mux | Not documented | Not documented |
| FLAC | Non-standard mux | Non-standard mux | Non-standard mux | Not documented |
| PCM (uncompressed) | Non-standard mux | Not documented | Non-standard mux | Not documented |
- Recommended
- the platform names this as a recommended upload
- Accepted
- listed as accepted, not the default
- Conditional
- accepted only on some surfaces, apps or account types
- Not documented
- not in the platform's published list; it may still upload, but convert to be safe
- Non-standard mux
- this codec is not normally carried in this container; files like this are rare
Sources
- Spotify Canvas Spec: Canvas loop. Checked 2026-09-18.
- Spotify for Artists: Canvas guidelines: Spotify Canvas upload guidance. Read 2026-10-08.
- Spotify for Artists: Uploading videos: Spotify for Artists video workflow. Read 2026-10-08.
Verdicts come from the published lists above. Where a list is silent, this page says “Not documented” rather than guessing.