Final Cut Pro export settings for WhatsApp chat.

Resolution

720 x 1280

Frame rate

30 fps, constant

Codec

H.264

Bitrate

Automatic (Final Cut Pro has no bitrate field). Aim: 1.9 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)

Sized so a 1:00 clip fits the 16 MB limit with 4% headroom.

Estimated size: 15.5 MB for 1:00.

• 1080p is above what WhatsApp chat supports here, so this uses 720p.
• Final Cut Pro has no bitrate setting. It picks its own rate; to fit WhatsApp chat's limit, compress the export with HandBrake at 1923 kbps.

Step by step in Final Cut Pro

1. 1Set the project to 720 x 1280 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: 720 x 1280.
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, 1923 kbps, or run the file through HandBrake.

WhatsApp chat upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Common mistakes

• Exporting a 16:9 timeline for WhatsApp chat. Build the edit at 720 x 1280 (9:16) from the start, or WhatsApp chat adds bars or crops your edges.
• Expecting Final Cut Pro to hit WhatsApp chat's size limit. It has no bitrate field, so export a high-quality master and compress it with HandBrake at 1923 kbps.
• 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 WhatsApp chat. There is no published HDR path, so colours can look washed out; export SDR Rec. 709.
• 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.

Shinel Studios

Rather send the footage and get WhatsApp chat-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.