Final Cut Pro export settings for WhatsApp Status.

Resolution

720 x 1280

Frame rate

30 fps, constant

Codec

H.264

Bitrate

Automatic (Final Cut Pro has no bitrate field). Aim: 5 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)

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

Estimated size: 38.8 MB for 1:00.

• 1080p is above what WhatsApp Status supports here, so this uses 720p.
• Final Cut Pro has no bitrate setting. It picks its own rate.

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, 5000 kbps, or run the file through HandBrake.

WhatsApp Status upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Common mistakes

• Exporting a 16:9 timeline for WhatsApp Status. Build the edit at 720 x 1280 (9:16) from the start, or WhatsApp Status 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 WhatsApp Status. 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 WhatsApp Status re-encodes it.
• Going over the length limit. WhatsApp Status: 90 seconds (help).
• 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 Status-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.