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Final Cut Pro · TikTok

Final Cut Pro export settings for TikTok.

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 TikTok

Community-tested
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)

Not officially published. Community-tested: 8-12 Mbps at 30 fps, 10-15 Mbps at 60 fps for 1080p.

Estimated size: 46.5 MB for 0:45.

  • 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

  1. 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).
  2. 2Select the project, then choose File > Share > Export File (Cmd+E).
  3. 3Click Settings. Format: Computer (MP4) or Video and Audio (MOV).
  4. 4Video Codec: H.264 Better Quality. Resolution: 1080 x 1920.
  5. 5Check Color Space reads Rec. 709 (BT.709), 8-bit 4:2:0, limited (TV) range. Action: Save only.
  6. 6Click Next, choose where to save, then Save. Progress shows in Background Tasks.
  7. 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.

Resolution30 fps60 fps
720p4.8 Mbps, level 3.16 Mbps, level 3.2
1080p8 Mbps, level 4.010 Mbps, level 4.2
1440p8 Mbps, level 5.010 Mbps, level 5.1
2160p8 Mbps, level 5.110 Mbps, level 5.2

TikTok upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Aspect ratio
9:16 vertical; 16:9 and 1:1 also accepted (ads spec) TikTok Auction In-Feed Ads, checked 2026-10-25
Resolution
Not officially published. Community-tested: 1080 x 1920. Official: API accepts 360-4096 px per side; ads spec needs 540 x 960 or more. Community-tested Clipchamp: poor video quality on TikTok (best export settings), checked 2026-10-25
Frame rate
23-60 fps (Content Posting API) Media Transfer Guide | TikTok for Developers, checked 2026-10-25
Video codec
H.264 recommended; H.265, VP8, VP9 accepted (Content Posting API) Media Transfer Guide | TikTok for Developers, checked 2026-10-25
Container
MP4 recommended; WebM, MOV (API). Ads accept .mp4, .mov, .mpeg, .3gp, .avi. Media Transfer Guide | TikTok for Developers, checked 2026-10-25
Bitrate
Not officially published. Community-tested: 8-12 Mbps at 30 fps, 10-15 Mbps at 60 fps, H.264 High. Ads spec minimum 516 kbps. Community-tested Clipchamp: poor video quality on TikTok (best export settings), checked 2026-10-25
Max file size
4 GB (Content Posting API); 500 MB for in-feed ads (ads spec) Media Transfer Guide | TikTok for Developers, checked 2026-10-25
Max length
Uploads up to 60 minutes; in-app recording up to 10 minutes (support). API: up to 10 minutes, creator caps vary (3, 5 or 10 min). TikTok Support: camera tools, checked 2026-10-25

Common mistakes

  • Exporting a 16:9 timeline for TikTok. Build the edit at 1080 x 1920 (9:16) from the start, or TikTok 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 TikTok. 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 TikTok re-encodes it.
  • Uploading through the phone app on mobile data. The web uploader and Wi-Fi keep more detail; turn on high-quality uploads in TikTok's settings.
  • 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: 0:45.

Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I export from Final Cut Pro for TikTok?

For 1080p vertical at 30 fps use about 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), VBR, 1 pass, with a maximum of 12 Mbps. Not officially published. Community-tested: 8-12 Mbps at 30 fps, 10-15 Mbps at 60 fps for 1080p.

What resolution and frame rate should I use for TikTok?

1080 x 1920 at 30 fps is a safe choice. TikTok: Not officially published. Community-tested: 1080 x 1920. Official: API accepts 360-4096 px per side; ads spec needs 540 x 960 or more. Frame rate: 23-60 fps (Content Posting API).

What is the maximum file size and length on TikTok?

File size: 4 GB (Content Posting API); 500 MB for in-feed ads (ads spec). Length: Uploads up to 60 minutes; in-app recording up to 10 minutes (support). API: up to 10 minutes, creator caps vary (3, 5 or 10 min).

Which codec should I pick in Final Cut Pro for TikTok?

H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file. TikTok lists: H.264 recommended; H.265, VP8, VP9 accepted (Content Posting API).

Can I export HDR from Final Cut Pro to TikTok?

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

Final Cut Pro for other platforms

Other editors for TikTok

Hubs and tools

Shinel Studios

Rather send the footage and get TikTok-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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