Facebook Video Specs in 2024: The Complete Guide

Video is an extremely popular and high-performing format on Facebook. However, to achieve success with Facebook videos and ads, it's important to adhere to the platform's specifications and best practices. This comprehensive guide will provide everything needed to optimize video content for Facebook in 2024.

Overview of Video on Facebook

Video has become a primary content format on Facebook. Reasons for video's massive growth and engagement include:

• Virality - videos are inherently shareable and attention-grabbing in the News Feed.
• Engagement - videos generate more likes, comments, and overall interaction vs static posts.
• Storytelling - video communicates stories and messages in a dynamic, visual way.
• Mobile-Friendly - video suits the on-the-go Facebook experience on smartphones.
• Ad Impact - video ads cut through the noise and connect emotionally with viewers.

Video works extremely well across all facets of Facebook, from organic posting to advertising. As such, video strategy is now a requirement for success on the platform.

Facebook Video Specifications

To ensure videos upload, play, and display properly across Facebook, certain technical specifications must be followed:

Supported Video Formats

• MP4 - Recommended format for optimal quality and compression
• MOV - Also well-supported format on Facebook
• GIF - For short-form silent video

Minimum Video Resolution

• 1080 x 1080 pixels - Ensures crisp, clear playback at minimum

Aspect Ratios

• Vertical 9:16 - Optimal for mobile portraits
• Horizontal 16:9 - For landscape footage
• Square 1:1 - Flexible and space-efficient

Video Codecs

• H.264 - For efficient high-quality video compression
• AAC - Facebook's recommended audio codec

Maximum Length

• Organic - 120 minutes (2 hours)
• Ads - 240 minutes (4 hours)

Maximum File Size

• All Videos - 4GB recommended max

Adhering to these technical specs ensures your videos look and play as intended across Facebook environments.

Ideal Facebook Video Lengths

While Facebook allows up to 240 minutes, shorter videos tend to see much higher viewership and engagement.

Organic Videos

• 0-60 seconds - Highest overall engagement
• 60-90 seconds - Retains decent viewership
• 90-120 seconds - Engagement starts declining

Keep organic videos under 2 minutes when possible. Concise messaging is key.

Facebook Ad Videos

• 15 seconds or less - Recommended standard ad length
• 60 seconds max - For standalone video ads
• 10 minutes max - For canvas video ads
• 240 minutes max - For live streaming

Get your message and value across quickly in ad videos. Brand awareness and storytelling ads can be longer.

Facebook Video Ad Specifications

Beyond general video specs, Facebook's ad products have additional requirements:

In-Stream Ad Videos

• 1080x1920 resolution
• Landscape (16:9) or Square (1:1) aspect ratios
• H.264, 30 FPS, 128kbps AAC audio

Stories Ad Videos

• 1080x1920 resolution
• Vertical (9:16) aspect ratio
• Under 15 seconds ideal length

Carousel Ad Videos

• 1080x1080 resolution
• Square (1:1) aspect ratio
• Under 15 seconds per video

Facebook Video Thumbnail Specs

Thumbnails appear before videos play. Follow best practices for clickable thumbnails:

Minimum Thumbnail Size

• 20% of video resolution (e.g. 360x640 for 1080p)

Ideal Thumbnail Size

• 1280x720 (landscape HD)
• 1080x1080 (square HD)

Thumbnail Design Tips

• High-contrast, vibrant images
• Logos and text for branding
• Main subject/action clearly focused
• Consistent style across videos

Facebook Video Caption Specs

Captions make videos more accessible and understood. Use SRT files or burnt-in captions.

• 85 characters per line max
• 2 lines per caption block
• 30 caption blocks per minute
• UTF-8 encoded text

Follow Facebook's caption style guide for readability.

Video Optimization Best Practices

Beyond technical specs, these tips will also boost video performance:

Valuable, Engaging Content

Focus on useful, entertaining video that provides value and hooks the viewer.

Clear, Concise Messaging

Communicate your core message clearly and effectively right away before losing viewer attention.

Strong Visuals

Use well-composed, high-quality shots and visuals that draw viewers in and support messaging.

Optimize for Mobile

Vertical and square videos suit mobile viewing. Ensure clarity on small screens.

Impactful First Frame

The opening static image must grab attention and induce clicking/viewing.

Call-to-Action Overlays

Add prominent calls-to-action (website link, sign up, shop now) to drive conversions.

Multimedia Optimization

Refine visuals, audio, text, graphics, and effects to create a polished, pro video.

Uploading Videos to Facebook

When video assets are ready, uploading to Facebook is simple:

Upload Directly in Feed

When composing a post, select the photo/video upload option to choose video files from your device.

Use Facebook Media Manager

Media Manager provides more robust controls for directly uploading videos to Facebook.

Embed YouTube Videos

Paste a YouTube link when creating a post to embed and autoplay the video natively.

The Media Manager offers the best analytics and options but direct uploads work as well.

Promoting and Analyzing Facebook Videos

To maximize reach and optimize efforts, promote videos across channels and analyze performance.

Promotion Tactics

• Share natively on Facebook with compelling supporting copy.
• Cross-promote videos on other social platforms.
• Embed videos on blogs, websites, and landing pages.
• Run ad campaigns to extend reach.
• Pitch relevant videos to media outlets and influencers.
• Repurpose top videos into different formats and sizes for each platform.

Key Metrics to Track

• Impressions and reach
• Engagement rate
• Clickthrough rate
• Completion rate
• Conversions
• Traffic sources

Continually refine video strategy based on performance data and audience response.

Video Creation Tools for Facebook

To produce videos optimized for Facebook, leverage these essential solutions:

Mobile Video Recording

Capture high-quality footage right from smartphones using tripods, mics, and lighting.

Screen Recording Software

Record high-resolution screen video for tutorials, product demos, and more.

Video Editing Software

Edit and polish videos with effects, graphics, transitions and professional tools.

Online Video Makers

Quickly create great videos using premade templates, effects, and automation.

Choose tools suited to make pro-grade videos that adhere to Facebook's specifications and drive results.

Produce Top Facebook Videos with Screen Story

Screen Story is an innovative and easy-to-use Mac screen recorder that makes creating high-quality, optimized videos for Facebook fast and efficient.

With powerful features like automatic cursor animations, chroma key effects, thousands of templates, and multi-channel mixing, Screen Story simplifies generating professional videos for Facebook in minutes.

One-Click Screen Recording

Instantly capture any activity on your Mac screen with just a single click. Perfect for software demos, product walkthroughs, and tutorials.

AI-Powered Cursor Motions

Screen Story automatically animates your mouse cursor with natural physics. Make lively demo videos effortlessly.

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Webcam and Mic Integration

Easily record yourself alongside your screen. Add personalized commentary and presentation.

Animated Text, Graphics, Filters

Make videos pop with built-in title animations, callouts, filters, and other engaging effects.

Auto Zoom and Highlighting

Draw attention to key areas of your video automatically with AI-powered zooming and highlighting.

Export Videos Any Size

Render your video projects in horizontal, vertical, or square formats perfect for seamless Facebook playback.

For quick creation of eye-catching videos perfect for Facebook, try Screen Story free today and take your social video marketing to the next level.

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