[FAQ]

I edit my videos in an external app like CapCut or Premiere Pro, and they look great and really sharp on my computer. But after I upload the video to TikTok, it often looks more compressed, a bit blurry, or just not as crisp as the original file.

I’m looking for the best, most up-to-date export settings for 2025 that will help me maintain the highest possible quality on the platform. I’m curious about the specifics, like what resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and file format I should be using.

Trying to make my videos look as good as possible on the platform. Any tips would be great!

[Jeff Bullas]

Achieving the best possible video quality on TikTok is about providing the platform with a high-quality file that is already optimised for its compression algorithm. While TikTok will always apply some level of compression, starting with the right export settings can significantly improve the final result.

Here are the key settings to focus on when you are exporting your video. First, for resolution, while you can upload in higher resolutions like 4K, it is often unnecessary and can sometimes lead to unpredictable compression. The most reliable and widely recommended resolution to export at is 1080p. For a standard vertical video, this would be 1080×1920 pixels.

Second, regarding the frame rate, it is best practice to export your video at the same frame rate that you filmed it in. The most common and perfectly acceptable frame rates for TikTok are 30 frames per second (fps) or 25 fps. There is generally no significant benefit to exporting at a higher frame rate like 60 fps unless your content is focused on very fast motion or includes slow-motion effects.

Third, for the file format and codec, the universal standard and best choice is to use the H.264 (also known as AVC) codec and to export your video in an MP4 file container. This format offers the best compatibility and a great balance of quality and file size.

Fourth, concerning the bitrate, which affects the amount of detail in the video, a variable bitrate (VBR) setting is often a good choice. While TikTok does not provide an official recommended bitrate, a common practice for a 1080p, 30 fps video is to set a target bitrate somewhere between 10 and 15 Mbps (megabits per second). Exporting at a much higher bitrate is usually not beneficial, as TikTok will heavily compress it down anyway.

Fifth, for your audio, exporting with the AAC codec at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz and a bitrate of at least 192 kbps (kilobits per second) will ensure your sound is clear and high quality.

Finally, there is one crucial step within the TikTok app itself. On the final screen before you post your video, tap on “More options” and ensure that the toggle for “Allow high-quality uploads” or “Upload HD” is turned on. This is a critical step that tells the app not to apply extra compression before uploading.

In summary, for the best results, export your video as an MP4 file (H.264 codec) at 1080×1920 resolution and 30 fps, with a bitrate around 10-15 Mbps. And most importantly, always enable the high-quality upload setting in the app.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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