To post a video on X (Twitter) from a computer, click the compose box or the Post button, click the media (gallery) icon, choose an MP4 or MOV file, write your text and click Post. In the X app, tap the + compose button, pick a video from your gallery or record one with the camera icon, trim it if needed, and tap Post.
The limits depend on your account. A free account can upload videos up to 140 seconds (2 minutes 20 seconds) and 512 MB. X Premium subscribers, including the Basic tier, can upload much longer videos: up to 4 hours on x.com and iPhone, and up to 10 minutes on Android, with files up to 16 GB.
Below you'll find a full spec sheet for video on Twitter, export settings that avoid failed uploads, step-by-step instructions for web and mobile, and fixes for blurry or stuck videos.
Video for Twitter: specs and limits at a glance
| Spec | Free account | X Premium (Basic, Premium, Premium+) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum length | 140 seconds (2:20) on every platform | Up to 4 hours on x.com and iOS (videos over 2 hours must be 720p); up to 10 minutes on Android |
| Maximum file size | 512 MB | 16 GB |
| File formats | MP4, MOV | MP4, MOV |
| Recommended encoding | H.264 video, AAC audio, 30 or 60 fps (60 fps maximum) | Same |
| Recommended dimensions | 1280 x 720 landscape, 720 x 1280 portrait, 720 x 720 square | Same |
| Aspect ratio range | Between 1:3 and 3:1 | Same |
The encoding and dimension recommendations come from X's developer documentation. One caution on Premium: X's own help pages don't fully agree. The longer-videos page says 4 hours and 16 GB, while the Premium overview still mentions about 3 hours and 8 GB at 1080p. If a very large upload fails, getting it under 8 GB is the safe move.
Get your video file ready
Export settings that upload cleanly
- Container: MP4 is the safest choice. MOV from an iPhone also works.
- Codec: H.264 video with AAC audio. Phones and most editors default to this; if yours is set to HEVC (H.265) or ProRes, switch it.
- Frame rate: keep it at 60 fps or below. 30 fps is fine for talking-head videos.
- Size: 1080p is plenty for most posts. 4K files are much larger and take longer to upload and process.
Pick the right shape
Vertical 9:16 video fills more of a phone screen. Horizontal 16:9 suits screen recordings, gameplay and anything people might watch on a laptop. Square 1:1 is a safe middle ground. Anything outside a 1:3 to 3:1 ratio won't upload.
Trim before you upload
On a free account, anything over 2:20 has to be cut. Trim it in your editor, or use the trimmer in the X app. If the story genuinely needs more time, post it as a thread of shorter clips, or put the full version on YouTube and share the link.
Plan for sound off
X can show auto-generated captions on some videos, but not all of them get captions. Burning captions into the video yourself means everyone can follow along, whatever their settings.
How to post a video on X from a computer
- Go to x.com and click the compose box at the top of your timeline, or the Post button in the sidebar.
- Click the media (gallery) icon below the text box.
- Choose the video file and click Open. X warns you if the format isn't supported.
- Write your post text. Keep the key point in the first line.
- Optional: leave on or turn off the Allow video to be downloaded option (more on this below).
- Click Post. Wait for the upload bar to finish before closing the tab.
How to post a video from the X app (iPhone and Android)
- Tap the + (Post) button.
- Pick a recent video from the thumbnails below the compose box, tap the photo icon to browse your gallery, or tap the camera icon to record a new one.
- To shorten it, drag either end of the bar at the bottom of the video, then tap Trim.
- Tap play to preview. Tap the X on the thumbnail if you want to remove it and start over.
- Add your text and tap Post. To add it to a thread, tap the add-to-thread option instead.
Remember the Android cap: even with Premium, the Android app stops at 10 minutes. For longer uploads, use x.com or the iPhone app.
You can also attach video to replies and quote posts the same way. When replying from your phone, the video reply option includes a hands-free mode that records up to 60 seconds.
Schedule your X videos with ViralFarm
If you post video to X regularly, ViralFarm lets you upload once and schedule the clip to X along with TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and your other channels, each with its own caption. It supports X long posts for Premium accounts, so you're not forced to squeeze a Premium caption into 280 characters.
Not sure your caption fits? Paste it into the free X character counter before you schedule. The ViralFarm Free plan includes 2 channels and 20 posts a month, with no credit card.
Write a video post people actually watch
Lead with the payoff
Videos autoplay in the timeline for most people, so the first second does the work a thumbnail would elsewhere. Open on the most interesting frame, not a logo or a slow intro.
Make the text do something different
Don't repeat what the video says. Use the post to give context, a takeaway, or a question that invites replies.
Add timestamps to long videos
Type times like 1:30 or 12:05 in the post text and they become clickable jump points (currently on iOS only). You can include up to 50 timestamps, and they only work on posts with a single video attached.
Decide on downloads
Since July 2023, Premium subscribers can download videos from posts unless the uploader turns off Allow video to be downloaded while composing. If your video is something you'd rather not have reused, switch it off before posting.
Fix common X video problems
"Your video file could not be processed" or the upload fails
- Re-export as MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio.
- Check the length and size against your account's limits.
- Keep the frame rate at 60 fps or below and the aspect ratio between 1:3 and 3:1.
- Try a stronger connection, an up-to-date browser, or the other platform (web instead of app).
The video looks blurry
X compresses every upload and adjusts streaming quality to the viewer's connection, so some softening is normal. Upload a clean 1080p file at a healthy bitrate rather than a file that's already been compressed by another app. Large text and fine details hold up better when they're bigger in the frame.
The upload is stuck
Very large files take time to process. Keep the tab or app open, avoid switching networks mid-upload, and if it still stalls, cancel and retry with a smaller export.
My video won't autoplay
Autoplay is controlled by each viewer. In Settings and privacy, under Accessibility, display, and languages, then Data usage, the Video autoplay setting can be set to Wi-Fi only or Never. If you've turned it off yourself, videos will wait for a tap.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a video on Twitter (X) be?
140 seconds (2:20) on a free account. With any X Premium tier, up to 4 hours on x.com and iPhone and up to 10 minutes on Android.
What is the maximum video file size on X?
512 MB for free accounts and 16 GB for Premium subscribers. Videos between 2 and 4 hours long must be 720p.
What video format does X support?
MP4 and MOV. For the fewest problems, export MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio at 60 fps or below.
Can I upload a longer video without Premium?
No. Free accounts are capped at 140 seconds. Split the video into a thread of clips, or upload the full version elsewhere and share a link.
Can I stop people from downloading my X video?
Yes. While composing, turn off Allow video to be downloaded. Accounts of people under 18 have downloads turned off automatically.
Why can't I upload a long video from my Android phone?
The Android app caps Premium uploads at 10 minutes. Use x.com or the iPhone app for anything longer.
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