VN 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 VN Video Editor.
VN to Snapchat Spotlight
Shinel recommendation- Resolution
- 1080 x 1920
- Frame rate
- 30 fps, constant
- Codec
- H.264
- Bitrate
- Average Bitrate (Manual): target 8 Mbps (8000 kbps), max 12 Mbps
- Keyframes
- Automatic (no setting in VN)
- 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.
Step by step in VN
- 1Tap Export at the top right of the editor.
- 2Switch from Auto to Manual.
- 3Resolution: 1080p vertical. FPS: 30.
- 4Average Bitrate: 8 Mbps. Set this last, because changing resolution or FPS resets it.
- 5Leave HDR off unless every clip was shot in HDR.
- 6Tap Export.
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.
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.
- 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).
- Changing resolution, FPS or HDR resets the bitrate to automatic, so set Average Bitrate last.
- HDR on with SDR clips can shift colours; HDR off tone-maps HDR clips to SDR.
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 VN 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 VN for Snapchat Spotlight?
H.264, profile High, level 4.0, in an MP4 file.
Can I export HDR from VN to Snapchat Spotlight?
Snapchat Spotlight has no published HDR upload path, so export SDR Rec. 709.
VN 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.