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Final Cut Pro · X (Twitter)

Final Cut Pro export settings for X (Twitter).

1920 x 1080 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 X (Twitter)

Official
Resolution
1920 x 1080
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)

X recommends at least 5,000 kbps video and 128 kbps audio.

Estimated size: 124.1 MB for 2:00.

  • 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 1920 x 1080 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: 1920 x 1080.
  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
720p5 Mbps, level 3.17.5 Mbps, level 3.2
1080p8 Mbps, level 4.012 Mbps, level 4.2

X (Twitter) upload limits

Each value links to where it was published.

Aspect ratio
16:9 (landscape or portrait) or 1:1 recommended; API accepts 1:3 to 3:1, pixel aspect 1:1 Best practices (X API media), checked 2026-10-25
Resolution
Recommended 1280x720 (landscape), 720x1280 (portrait), 720x720 (square). Premium uploads up to 1080p; videos over 2 h must be 720p Best practices (X API media), checked 2026-10-25
Frame rate
30 or 60 fps recommended; 60 fps or less required Best practices (X API media), checked 2026-10-25
Video codec
H.264 High Profile; YUV 4:2:0 only; progressive scan; no open GOP Best practices (X API media), checked 2026-10-25
Container
MP4 recommended (API best practices). Help page only says you are prompted if the format is unsupported Best practices (X API media), checked 2026-10-25
Bitrate
Video at least 5,000 kbps; audio at least 128 kbps (recommended minimums). X may lower resolution and bitrate when streaming Best practices (X API media), checked 2026-10-25
Max file size
512 MB without a subscription; 16 GB for Premium / X Subscription (Plus, Premium, Super, Ultra)
  • Free account: 512 MB
  • X Premium / subscription: 16 GB
How to share and watch videos on X | X Help Center, checked 2026-10-25
Max length
140 seconds without a subscription; Premium up to 4 hours on x.com and iOS, 10 minutes on Android Longer videos for X Premium subscribers | X Help Center, checked 2026-10-25
Min length
At least 0.5 seconds (API) Best practices (X API media), checked 2026-10-25
Audio
AAC LC (HE-AAC not supported), mono or stereo (not 5.1) Best practices (X API media), checked 2026-10-25
Captions
Viewers can turn captions on (CC on web, Closed Captions on iOS, Captions on Android) How to share and watch videos on X | X Help Center, checked 2026-10-25

Common mistakes

  • 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 X (Twitter). 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 X (Twitter) re-encodes it.
  • Going over the length limit. X (Twitter): 140 seconds without a subscription; Premium up to 4 hours on x.com and iOS, 10 minutes on Android.
  • 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: 2:00.

Frequently asked questions

What bitrate should I export from Final Cut Pro for X (Twitter)?

For 1080p at 30 fps use about 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), VBR, 1 pass, with a maximum of 12 Mbps. X recommends at least 5,000 kbps video and 128 kbps audio.

What resolution and frame rate should I use for X (Twitter)?

1920 x 1080 at 30 fps is a safe choice. X (Twitter): Recommended 1280x720 (landscape), 720x1280 (portrait), 720x720 (square). Premium uploads up to 1080p; videos over 2 h must be 720p. Frame rate: 30 or 60 fps recommended; 60 fps or less required.

What is the maximum file size and length on X (Twitter)?

File size: 512 MB without a subscription; 16 GB for Premium / X Subscription (Plus, Premium, Super, Ultra). Length: 140 seconds without a subscription; Premium up to 4 hours on x.com and iOS, 10 minutes on Android.

Which codec should I pick in Final Cut Pro for X (Twitter)?

H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file. X (Twitter) lists: H.264 High Profile; YUV 4:2:0 only; progressive scan; no open GOP.

Can I export HDR from Final Cut Pro to X (Twitter)?

X (Twitter) has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.

Final Cut Pro for other platforms

Other editors for X (Twitter)

Hubs and tools

Shinel Studios

Rather send the footage and get X (Twitter)-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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