CapCut desktop · Instagram Reels

CapCut desktop export settings for Instagram 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 CapCut (desktop).

CapCut desktop to Instagram Reels

Shinel recommendation

Resolution: 1080 x 1920
Frame rate: 30 fps, constant
Codec: H.264
Bitrate: Custom bit rate: target 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), max 12 Mbps
Keyframes: Automatic (no setting in CapCut desktop)
Audio: AAC-LC, default bitrate, 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)

Instagram 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: 46.2 MB for 0:45.

Change resolution or fps File size

Step by step in CapCut desktop

1Click Export in the top-right corner of the editor.
2Enter the file name and choose the folder to export to.
3Resolution: 1080p vertical.
4Bit rate: choose Customize and enter 8000 Kbps (8 Mbps).
5Codec: H.264. Format: mp4.
6Frame rate: 30.
7Click Export.

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

Instagram Reels upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Aspect ratio

Any ratio between 1.91:1 and 9:16 (help); 9:16 recommended to avoid cropping or blank space (API) Reel size & aspect ratios on Instagram | Instagram Help Center, checked 2026-10-25

Resolution

1440 x 2560 (ads spec); minimum 720 px (help); API limit is 1920 px horizontal Meta Ads Guide: Instagram Reels video ads, checked 2026-10-25

Frame rate

Minimum 30 fps (help); API accepts 23-60 fps Reel size & aspect ratios on Instagram | Instagram Help Center, checked 2026-10-25

Video codec

H.264 or HEVC, progressive scan, closed GOP, 4:2:0 chroma subsampling (API) IG User Media (Instagram Graph API reference: Reel Specifications, Story Video Specifications), checked 2026-10-25

Container

MP4 or MOV, no edit lists, moov atom at the front of the file (API) IG User Media (Instagram Graph API reference: Reel Specifications, Story Video Specifications), checked 2026-10-25

Bitrate

VBR, 25 Mbps maximum (API) IG User Media (Instagram Graph API reference: Reel Specifications, Story Video Specifications), checked 2026-10-25

Max file size

300 MB via the Content Publishing API; 4 GB in Ads Manager (ads spec). In-app limit not published. IG User Media (Instagram Graph API reference: Reel Specifications, Story Video Specifications), checked 2026-10-25

Max length

Record and edit up to 20 minutes in the app; reels over 3 minutes are not recommended to new audiences. API: 15 minutes. Record a reel on Instagram | Instagram Help Center, checked 2026-10-25

Min length

3 seconds (API) IG User Media (Instagram Graph API reference: Reel Specifications, Story Video Specifications), checked 2026-10-25

Audio

AAC, 48 kHz maximum, mono or stereo, 128 kbps (API) IG User Media (Instagram Graph API reference: Reel Specifications, Story Video Specifications), checked 2026-10-25

Common mistakes

Exporting a 16:9 timeline for Instagram Reels. Build the edit at 1080 x 1920 (9:16) from the start, or Instagram 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.
Entering 8 in a Kbps field. CapCut desktop takes kilobits: 8 Mbps is 8000.
Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to Instagram 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 Instagram Reels re-encodes it.
The custom bit rate is in Kbps, not Mbps: 16 Mbps is 16000.
Any Pro-tagged effect, sticker, font or sound in the project adds a watermark or blocks export unless you have Pro.

For comparison, YouTube publishes 8 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps. Example length used for sizes: 0:45.

Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I export from CapCut desktop for Instagram Reels?

For 1080p vertical at 30 fps use about 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), VBR, 1 pass, with a maximum of 12 Mbps. Instagram 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 Instagram Reels?

1080 x 1920 at 30 fps is a safe choice. Instagram Reels: 1440 x 2560 (ads spec); minimum 720 px (help); API limit is 1920 px horizontal. Frame rate: Minimum 30 fps (help); API accepts 23-60 fps.

What is the maximum file size and length on Instagram Reels?

File size: 300 MB via the Content Publishing API; 4 GB in Ads Manager (ads spec). In-app limit not published. Length: Record and edit up to 20 minutes in the app; reels over 3 minutes are not recommended to new audiences. API: 15 minutes.

Which codec should I pick in CapCut desktop for Instagram Reels?

H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file. Instagram Reels lists: H.264 or HEVC, progressive scan, closed GOP, 4:2:0 chroma subsampling (API).

Can I export HDR from CapCut desktop to Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.

CapCut desktop for other platforms

Other editors for Instagram Reels

Hubs and tools

Shinel Studios

Rather send the footage and get Instagram 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.

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