TikTok sizes, specs, and posting limits

TikTok accepts one video or a photo carousel, never both in the same post. Video dimensions can range from 360px to 4096px, while carousel photos are limited to JPEG or WebP and 20 MB each.

Updated July 2026

Start publishing

Read the TikTok API docs

Recommended sizes

Good defaults for TikTok

Use these sizes when you need a sensible default. The tables below cover the limits enforced by the API.

Vertical video

1080×1920 (9:16)

The standard full-screen format for TikTok video.

Photo carousel

1080p JPEG or WebP

Up to 35 photos, with no video mixed into the post.

Video resolution range

360–4096px

Both video dimensions must remain inside this range.

API limits

TikTok API specifications

Check these values in your upload validator or before an agent submits a post.

Video limits

TikTok video upload and encoding requirements.

Formats: MP4 (recommended), WebM, MOV
Maximum file size: 4 GB
Duration: 3 seconds to 3, 5, or 10 minutes by account
Frame rate: 23–60 FPS
Resolution: 360–4096px on both dimensions

Photo and text limits

Constraints for TikTok photo carousels and their copy.

Photo formats: JPEG, WebP
Maximum photo size: 20 MB each
Photos per carousel: 1–35
Video caption: 2,200 characters
Photo title / description: 90 / 4,000 characters

Common publishing errors

TikTok publishing errors

Find the returned code or the closest matching failure below, then fix the cause before retrying the post.

picture_size_check_failed

TikTok rejected the media dimensions during post processing.

Fix: For video, keep both dimensions between 360px and 4096px. Keep photos within 1920×1080 landscape or 1080×1920 portrait.

file_format_check_failed

The uploaded video or photo uses an unsupported media format.

Fix: Use MP4, WebM, or MOV for video and JPEG or WebP for photos.

privacy_level_option_mismatch (403)

The requested privacy level is not available for this creator account.

Fix: Query creator_info immediately before posting and send one of its privacy_level_options.

spam_risk_too_many_posts (Direct Post 403)

The creator has reached TikTok’s daily OpenAPI posting cap.

Fix: Stop API retries and wait for the rolling daily allowance to reset.

spam_risk

TikTok marked the publishing request as risky and stopped the post.

Fix: Do not retry the same request. Review the content and use the TikTok app if the post follows its rules.

video_pull_failed

TikTok could not download the video before its one-hour transfer window closed.

Fix: Retry once. If it fails again, re-upload the video to PublishQ so TikTok receives a fresh copy.

photo_pull_failed

TikTok could not download one of the photos before its one-hour transfer window closed.

Fix: Retry once. If it fails again, re-upload the photos to PublishQ and publish the new media items.

scope_not_authorized (401)

The TikTok connection is missing the video.publish permission required for direct publishing.

Fix: Reconnect the creator account and approve the publishing permissions TikTok requests.

Why TikTok uploads fail

A post mixes a video with photos instead of choosing one media mode.
A PNG is sent directly even though TikTok photo posting accepts JPEG or WebP.
The account-specific video duration or daily third-party posting limit is exceeded.

What PublishQ handles

Prepares each photo into the best version TikTok accepts, converting PNG to WebP with transparency preserved, resizing high-resolution images, and compressing oversized photos, so you never have to edit a photo first.
Picks the right single-video or photo-carousel publishing flow from your media.
Queries creator information for privacy options and account-specific video duration.

For developers and agents

Publish to TikTok through one API

Send PublishQ the post. We check it, prepare the media, and deliver it to TikTok. You can work in the dashboard or connect through the API, CLI, or MCP server.

Start publishing

Read the implementation guide

Compare other platform limits

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about TikTok media sizes and API publishing limits.

What are the recommended TikTok video dimensions?

1080×1920 at 9:16 fills the TikTok screen. TikTok accepts video dimensions from 360px through 4096px.

What is the TikTok photo carousel limit?

A TikTok photo carousel can contain up to 35 JPEG or WebP images, with a maximum of 20 MB per image.

Can an AI agent publish to TikTok through PublishQ?

An agent can submit the post through the PublishQ API or MCP server. PublishQ prepares the media and applies the TikTok settings.

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Docs

Tiktok API

API reference for Tiktok API.

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