After Effects export settings for Facebook Reels.
1080 x 1920 at 30 fps, H.264, 8 Mbps and AAC 128 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in Adobe After Effects (with Media Encoder).
After Effects to Facebook Reels
Shinel recommendation- Resolution
- 1080 x 1920
- Frame rate
- 30 fps, constant
- Codec
- H.264, profile High, level 4.0
- Bitrate
- VBR, 2 pass: target 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), max 12 Mbps
- Keyframes
- Every 2 s = 60 frames, 2 B-frames, closed GOP
- Audio
- AAC-LC, 128 kbps, 48 kHz, stereo
- Colour
- Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range
- Container
- MP4 with Fast Start (moov atom at the front)
Facebook Reels publishes no bitrate. This follows YouTube's published table for the resolution, which every major platform handles well. Meta re-encodes every upload, so more bitrate than this mostly adds upload time.
Estimated size: 61.6 MB for 1:00.
Step by step in After Effects
- 1Set the composition to 1080 x 1920 at 30 fps (Composition > Composition Settings).
- 2With the composition selected choose Composition > Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue.
- 3In Media Encoder click the blue Format link of the job and set Format to H.264.
- 4Click Output Name to set the file name and folder (.mp4).
- 5Video tab: Frame Size 1080 x 1920, Frame Rate 30, Profile High, Level 4.0.
- 6Bitrate Settings: Bitrate Encoding VBR, 2 pass, Target Bitrate 8 Mbps, Maximum Bitrate 12 Mbps.
- 7Advanced Settings: tick Key Frame Distance and enter 60 frames.
- 8Audio tab: AAC, Sample Rate 48000 Hz, Bitrate 128 kbps. Click OK, then Start Queue.
Bitrate at other resolutions
Same settings, different size or frame rate.
| Resolution | 30 fps | 60 fps |
|---|---|---|
| 720p | 5 Mbps, level 3.1 | 7.5 Mbps, level 3.2 |
| 1080p | 8 Mbps, level 4.0 | 12 Mbps, level 4.2 |
Facebook Reels upload limits
Each value links to where it was published.
Common mistakes
- Exporting a 16:9 timeline for Facebook Reels. Build the edit at 1080 x 1920 (9:16) from the start, or Facebook Reels adds bars or crops your edges.
- Exporting at 50+ Mbps "for quality". Meta re-encodes everything and its own spec tops out at 25 Mbps for Reels and Stories; a huge file just uploads slower.
- Typing 2 into After Effects's keyframe field. It counts frames, not seconds: at 30 fps that is 60.
- Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to Facebook Reels. There is no published HDR path, so colours can look washed out; export SDR Rec. 709.
- Leaving phone footage at a variable frame rate. Export at a constant 30 fps, or audio drifts and motion stutters after Facebook Reels re-encodes it.
- The native H.264 output in the Render Queue (Composition > Add to Render Queue) is quick, but Media Encoder is the route for 2-pass, keyframe distance and HEVC.
- Render Queue H.264 presets set Profile and Level from the comp size automatically.
For comparison, YouTube publishes 8 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps. Example length used for sizes: 1:00.
Frequently asked questions
What bitrate should I export from After Effects for Facebook Reels?
For 1080p vertical at 30 fps use about 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), VBR, 2 pass, with a maximum of 12 Mbps. Facebook Reels publishes no bitrate. This follows YouTube's published table for the resolution, which every major platform handles well. Meta re-encodes every upload, so more bitrate than this mostly adds upload time.
What resolution and frame rate should I use for Facebook Reels?
1080 x 1920 at 30 fps is a safe choice. Facebook Reels: 1080 x 1920 recommended; minimum 540 x 960 (API). Frame rate: 24-60 fps, fixed frame rate (API).
What is the maximum file size and length on Facebook Reels?
File size: 10 GB for Page video uploads (help). Length: In the app, reels can be any length or orientation since June 2025 (help). Reels Publishing API: 3-90 s.
Which codec should I pick in After Effects for Facebook Reels?
H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file. Facebook Reels lists: H.264 or H.265 (VP9 and AV1 also supported); 4:2:0, closed GOP of 2-5 s, progressive scan (API).
Can I export HDR from After Effects to Facebook Reels?
Facebook Reels has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.
After Effects for other platforms
Other editors for Facebook Reels
Hubs and tools
Shinel Studios
Rather send the footage and get Facebook Reels-ready edits back?
Our editors cut, caption, colour and export to each platform's spec, with 2 revision rounds. Shorts come back in 48-72 hours, long videos in 5-10 days.