Final Cut Pro · Snapchat Spotlight

Final Cut Pro export settings for Snapchat Spotlight.

1080 x 1920 at 30 fps, H.264, 8 Mbps and AAC 192 kbps: here is why, and exactly where each setting lives in Final Cut Pro.

Final Cut Pro to Snapchat Spotlight

Shinel recommendation

Resolution: 1080 x 1920
Frame rate: 30 fps, constant
Codec: H.264
Bitrate: Automatic (Final Cut Pro has no bitrate field). Aim: 8 Mbps
Keyframes: Automatic (no setting in Final Cut Pro)
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)

Snapchat Spotlight publishes no bitrate. This follows YouTube's published table for the resolution, which every major platform handles well.

Estimated size: 41.4 MB for 0:40.

Final Cut Pro has no bitrate setting. It picks its own rate.

Change resolution or fps File size

Step by step in Final Cut Pro

1Set the project to 1080 x 1920 at 30 fps (Final Cut Pro exports at the project frame rate; there is no frame rate field on export).
2Select the project, then choose File > Share > Export File (Cmd+E).
3Click Settings. Format: Computer (MP4) or Video and Audio (MOV).
4Video Codec: H.264 Better Quality. Resolution: 1080 x 1920.
5Check Color Space reads Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range. Action: Save only.
6Click Next, choose where to save, then Save. Progress shows in Background Tasks.
7Need an exact bitrate or file size? Choose Action > Open with Compressor and set Avg. Bit rate to Custom, 8000 kbps, or run the file through HandBrake.

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

Snapchat Spotlight upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Aspect ratio

Vertical video with sound; Snapchat content is 9:16 and web uploads are cropped to fit How to Post a Snap to My Story from the Web | Snapchat Support, checked 2026-10-25

Resolution

No Spotlight spec. 540 x 960 minimum for web uploads (help); ads spec 720 x 1280 (9:16) How to Post a Snap to My Story from the Web | Snapchat Support, checked 2026-10-25

Container

Ads accept .mp4 or .mov (ads spec); organic not stated Snapchat Ad Formats & Specs, checked 2026-10-25

Max length

60 seconds (creator site: 5-60 second videos) Snapchat Creator Monetization for Stories and Spotlight, checked 2026-10-25

Min length

5 seconds; the Post button appears only for videos 5 s or longer (help) How do I post Snaps to Spotlight? | Snapchat Support, checked 2026-10-25

Common mistakes

Exporting a 16:9 timeline for Snapchat Spotlight. Build the edit at 1080 x 1920 (9:16) from the start, or Snapchat Spotlight adds bars or crops your edges.
Looking for a frame rate box on export. Final Cut Pro exports at the project frame rate, so set the project to 30 fps before you edit.
Uploading HDR (10-bit PQ/HLG) to Snapchat Spotlight. 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 Snapchat Spotlight re-encodes it.
Going over the length limit. Snapchat Spotlight: 60 seconds (creator site: 5-60 second videos).
There is no bitrate, profile, level or keyframe field. Final Cut picks the bitrate; use Compressor or HandBrake to hit a size cap.
If you edited with proxies, switch the viewer back to Optimized/Original first or the export is rendered from proxies.

For comparison, YouTube publishes 8 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps. Example length used for sizes: 0:40.

Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I export from Final Cut Pro for Snapchat Spotlight?

For 1080p vertical at 30 fps use about 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), VBR, 1 pass, with a maximum of 12 Mbps. Snapchat Spotlight publishes no bitrate. This follows YouTube's published table for the resolution, which every major platform handles well.

What resolution and frame rate should I use for Snapchat Spotlight?

1080 x 1920 at 30 fps is a safe choice. Snapchat Spotlight: No Spotlight spec. 540 x 960 minimum for web uploads (help); ads spec 720 x 1280 (9:16).

What is the maximum file size and length on Snapchat Spotlight?

Length: 60 seconds (creator site: 5-60 second videos).

Which codec should I pick in Final Cut Pro for Snapchat Spotlight?

H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file.

Can I export HDR from Final Cut Pro to Snapchat Spotlight?

Snapchat Spotlight has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.

Final Cut Pro for other platforms

Other editors for Snapchat Spotlight

Hubs and tools

Shinel Studios

Rather send the footage and get Snapchat Spotlight-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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