Music video format: aspect ratio, size and length
A music video for YouTube is horizontal, 16:9, at 1920 × 1080 pixels, and runs the whole song. For TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, it’s vertical, 9:16, at 1080 × 1920, and a short part of the song works best. Stalak makes both from the same takes (the 16:9 one with Stalak Pro).
Before: 3 takes
After: Stalak’s edit
What aspect ratio should a music video be?
16:9, horizontal, for a music video on YouTube: it’s the shape of the YouTube player on a computer or a TV. 9:16, vertical, for TikTok, Reels and Shorts: those videos fill a phone held upright. Square (1:1) and portrait (4:5) posts work in the Instagram feed.
| Where | Shape | Size (pixels) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube video | 16:9 horizontal | 1920 × 1080 | The whole song |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 vertical (or square) | 1080 × 1920 | Up to 3 minutes |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 vertical | 1080 × 1920 | Up to 3 minutes |
| TikTok | 9:16 vertical | 1080 × 1920 | A short part works best |
Is 1920 × 1080 or 1280 × 720 better?
1920 × 1080 (1080p) is sharper and is the usual size for a music video on YouTube. 1280 × 720 (720p) makes smaller files, but looks soft on a big screen. Phones film in 1080p or more, so export in 1080p: 1920 × 1080 for horizontal, 1080 × 1920 for vertical.
How long should a music video be?
On YouTube, as long as the song itself. On TikTok, Reels and Shorts, post a part: 10 to 30 seconds of the hook or your best bars is easy to watch twice. One catch on YouTube: a Short longer than 1 minute with an active copyright claim is blocked, so keep Shorts of a claimed song under a minute.
Can you make the same video in 9:16 and 16:9?
Yes. Film vertically, with yourself near the middle of the frame: the vertical video uses the takes as they are, and the horizontal one can show each take whole, in the middle, over a blurred copy of itself. That’s what Stalak’s Music video mode does, from the same takes as your vertical videos.
Stalak in one minute
Here’s each step in Stalak at phone size, with the song and takes from the example above.
1. Pick what you’re making. TikTok / Reels for a vertical video, Music video for the whole song in 16:9 for YouTube. 
2. Music video mode (16:9). Your takes over the whole song, at 1920 × 1080; vertical takes are shown whole, over a blurred copy of themselves. Export with Stalak Pro. 
3. Or vertical. Pick 9:16 (1080 × 1920), 4:5 for the Instagram feed (1080 × 1350) or square (1080 × 1080), all free.
Free, in your browser. No sign-up.
What’s free, what’s Pro
- Free: unlimited videos, auto cuts, lyrics one line at a time, 3 filters, 9:16 export, no ads. A small watermark (our mascot and stalak.app) on every video.
- Stalak Pro ($7.99/mo or $49.99/yr): no watermark, 16:9 music videos, karaoke and word-by-word lyrics, auto lyrics, all filters and premium effects.
- Creator Plus ($14.99/mo or $99.99/yr): everything in Pro, plus video packs, automatic cloud saving (100 GB) and “Talk to a human”.
FAQ
Is 16:9 or 4:3 better for a music video?
16:9. It’s the shape of the YouTube player and of today’s screens; 4:3 is the old TV shape and leaves black bars on the sides.
Is a 2 minute video too long?
Not on YouTube, where the music video runs the whole song. Shorts and Reels allow 2 minutes, but a short part is easier to watch twice, and a Short over 1 minute with an active copyright claim is blocked.
What sizes does Stalak export?
Vertical 9:16 at 1080 × 1920, 4:5 at 1080 × 1350 and square at 1080 × 1080, all free; the 16:9 music video at 1920 × 1080 with Stalak Pro.
Is Stalak free?
Yes. Unlimited videos, no account and no ads. Free videos carry a small watermark (our mascot’s face and stalak.app); go Pro ($7.99/mo or $49.99/yr) to export without it.
Do my videos get uploaded?
No. Editing happens in your browser, on your device. The only exceptions, if you use them: cloud projects (Creator Plus, saved automatically) and the audio sent for auto lyrics (Pro).
Stalak is made by 99Sayso, an independent rapper from the Alaska collective. He coded it to cut his own takes to the beat.