TikTok vs YouTube Shorts: Complete Specs Comparison

Platform Overview

TikTok and YouTube Shorts are the two dominant platforms for short-form vertical video content. While they share many similarities — both focus on mobile-first vertical video under 60 seconds — they have distinct specifications, algorithms, and audience expectations.

Understanding the technical requirements and best practices for each platform is essential for creators who want to maximize reach and engagement. This guide provides a complete technical comparison updated for 2025.

Video Dimension Comparison

Aspect Ratio Requirements

TikTok Aspect Ratio Support

Primary: 9:16 (1080×1920) — Full-screen vertical

This is the native format that takes up the entire screen on mobile devices. It provides the most immersive viewing experience and is strongly recommended for maximum engagement.

Also Accepts:

• 1:1 (1080×1080): Square videos display with black bars above and below
• 16:9 (1920×1080): Horizontal videos display much smaller with significant black bars
• 4:5 (1080×1350): Displays with small letterboxing

Important: While TikTok accepts other aspect ratios, the algorithm heavily favors 9:16 content. Non-vertical videos receive significantly less distribution.

YouTube Shorts Aspect Ratio Support

Required: 9:16 (1080×1920) — Vertical videos only

YouTube Shorts is stricter than TikTok about aspect ratios. To be classified as a "Short," your video must be in 9:16 vertical format. Horizontal or square videos won't appear in the Shorts feed, even if they're under 60 seconds.

Tolerance: YouTube allows slight variations (like 9:16.5) as long as the video is clearly vertical. But for best results, export at exactly 9:16.

Quality Recommendations

Resolution: 1080×1920 is the Sweet Spot

Both platforms recommend 1080×1920 as the optimal resolution. This provides excellent quality for mobile viewing without unnecessarily large file sizes.

Should you upload in 4K (2160×3840)?

• TikTok: Accepts 4K but downscales to 1080p for most viewers. Only worth it if you have ultra-high-quality footage and want future-proofing.
• YouTube Shorts: Also downscales to 1080p but may offer slight quality improvements due to higher bitrate allocation. Consider 4K if upload speeds permit.

Frame Rate: 30 FPS vs 60 FPS

TikTok:

• 30 FPS: Standard for most content, smaller file sizes, works great for talking heads and storytelling
• 60 FPS: Better for action, sports, dance, or high-motion content. Provides smoother playback but larger files.

YouTube Shorts:

• Supports 24, 30, 50, and 60 FPS
• 30 FPS is the most common and recommended for general content
• 60 FPS is excellent for gaming, sports, or high-motion content

Bitrate and Compression

Neither platform publishes official bitrate requirements, but based on testing:

Recommended settings:

• 1080p @ 30 FPS: 8-12 Mbps
• 1080p @ 60 FPS: 12-16 Mbps
• 4K @ 30 FPS: 35-45 Mbps

Both platforms will recompress your video, but starting with high quality ensures the best possible output.

Caption and Text Safe Zones

TikTok Safe Zones

TikTok's interface overlays several UI elements on your video:

• Top 150 pixels: Username and video description
• Bottom 250 pixels: Caption text, hashtags, and audio indicator
• Right side (120 pixels from edge): Like, comment, share, and profile buttons

Safe zone for important content: Keep text and focal points in the center 60% of the frame, avoiding the top 10%, bottom 15%, and right edge.

YouTube Shorts Safe Zones

YouTube Shorts interface elements:

• Top 100 pixels: Video title and channel name
• Bottom 200 pixels: Subscribe button, like, dislike, comment, and share buttons
• Right side (100 pixels from edge): Action buttons

Safe zone: Center your content and keep important elements at least 120 pixels from all edges.

Best Practice for Both Platforms

If creating content for both platforms, use these universal safe zones:

• Keep important content 150 pixels from the top
• Keep important content 300 pixels from the bottom
• Keep important content 150 pixels from the right edge
• Text should be in the vertical center third of the frame

Thumbnail Requirements

TikTok Thumbnails

TikTok automatically generates thumbnails from your video. You can select any frame as the cover:

• Dimensions: Same as video (1080×1920)
• Custom uploads: Not supported (must be a frame from the video)
• Best practice: Plan your video to have a visually striking frame around 1-2 seconds in

YouTube Shorts Thumbnails

YouTube Shorts also auto-generates thumbnails, but with more flexibility:

• Auto-generated: YouTube picks three frames you can choose from
• Custom uploads (verified accounts): 1080×1920, JPEG or PNG, under 2MB
• Appears: In the Shorts shelf, search results, and on your channel
• Best practice: If you can upload custom, create eye-catching graphics with text overlay

Platform-Specific Best Practices

TikTok Best Practices

1. Hook Within 3 Seconds

TikTok's algorithm evaluates completion rate. If viewers swipe away in the first 3 seconds, your video won't be promoted. Start with your most compelling content immediately.

2. Use Trending Audio

TikTok heavily promotes videos using trending sounds. Browse the "For You" page to find what's popular, or check TikTok's Creative Center for trending sounds in your niche.

3. Optimize for Sound-Off Viewing

While audio is important, 25-30% of TikTok viewing happens with sound off. Add captions to ensure your message lands regardless of audio.

4. Native Editing is Favored

Videos edited within TikTok's app often receive better distribution than videos uploaded from external editors. Consider doing final touches in the TikTok app.

5. Consistent Posting Schedule

TikTok rewards consistent creators. Post at least 3-5 times per week for best algorithm performance.

YouTube Shorts Best Practices

1. Include "#Shorts" in Title or Description

While not strictly required, adding #Shorts helps YouTube properly categorize your content and surface it in the Shorts feed.

2. Leverage Your Existing Audience

If you have a YouTube channel, Shorts can drive viewers to your long-form content. Include calls-to-action directing viewers to related videos.

3. Focus on Watch Time

YouTube's algorithm prioritizes watch time over completion rate. A 45-second video with 80% retention may outperform a 15-second video with 95% retention.

4. Use End Screens Creatively

The last 2-3 seconds can include a verbal or visual CTA to subscribe or watch more content. YouTube allows clickable elements to appear after the video ends.

5. Cross-Promote with Long-Form

Create Shorts that tease or summarize your long-form content. This strategy can significantly boost your channel's overall performance.

Creating Content for Both Platforms

Universal Specifications

Good news: The core technical specs are identical. Export one master file at these settings:

• Resolution: 1080×1920 (9:16)
• Frame rate: 30 FPS (or 60 FPS for motion-heavy content)
• Codec: H.264
• Audio: AAC, 48kHz, 192kbps
• Bitrate: 10-12 Mbps

Platform-Specific Adjustments

While the video specs are the same, optimize for each platform's unique characteristics:

Content Strategy

• TikTok: Favor short (15-30 second) punchy content with trending audio
• YouTube Shorts: Can be longer (45-60 seconds) with more educational or narrative content

Captions and Text

• TikTok: Use TikTok's native text feature or burn-in captions during editing
• YouTube: Upload SRT files or use auto-captions (can be edited for accuracy)

Hashtags

• TikTok: Use 3-5 relevant hashtags including trending tags
• YouTube: Include #Shorts and 2-3 descriptive tags in the description

Thumbnails

• TikTok: Choose your best frame as cover (plan for this during filming)
• YouTube: If possible, create a custom thumbnail with text for better click-through

Export Settings by Platform

TikTok Export Settings (Premiere Pro / Final Cut)

Format: H.264
Resolution: 1080×1920
Frame Rate: 30 fps (or match source)
Field Order: Progressive
Aspect: 9:16 (0.5625)
Bitrate: 10-12 Mbps (VBR, 2-pass)
Audio Codec: AAC
Audio Sample Rate: 48000 Hz
Audio Bitrate: 192 kbps

YouTube Shorts Export Settings

Format: H.264
Resolution: 1080×1920
Frame Rate: 30 fps (or 24/60 fps)
Field Order: Progressive
Profile: High
Bitrate: 12-16 Mbps (VBR, 2-pass)
Audio Codec: AAC
Audio Sample Rate: 48000 Hz
Audio Bitrate: 192-256 kbps

Algorithm and Discovery Differences

TikTok Algorithm

TikTok's "For You" page is the primary discovery mechanism:

• Completion rate is king: Videos watched to completion get massive boosts
• Engagement velocity: Videos that get likes/shares/comments quickly are promoted heavily
• Watch time matters less: A 15-second video with 95% completion beats a 60-second video with 60% completion
• New creator friendly: Anyone can go viral; follower count matters less than content quality
• Topic clustering: The algorithm learns your niche and shows your content to relevant audiences

YouTube Shorts Algorithm

YouTube Shorts discovery works differently:

• Watch time weighted heavily: Total minutes watched matters more than completion rate
• Subscriber benefit: Existing subscribers give your Shorts an initial boost
• Cross-format synergy: Shorts can drive viewers to long-form content and vice versa
• Search optimization: Shorts appear in search results; optimize titles and descriptions for SEO
• Slower viral growth: Viral growth is slower but more sustained compared to TikTok's explosive spikes

Monetization Comparison

TikTok Creator Fund

• Eligibility: 10,000 followers, 100,000 views in 30 days, 18+ years old
• Payment: Based on views (typically $0.02-0.04 per 1,000 views)
• Other revenue: Brand deals, TikTok Shop, livestream gifts

YouTube Shorts Fund (Being Phased Out)

• Note: YouTube is transitioning from the Shorts Fund to ad revenue sharing in 2025
• New model: Creators in YouTube Partner Program can earn ad revenue from Shorts
• Eligibility: 1,000 subscribers, 10 million Shorts views in 90 days
• Revenue: Split of ad revenue, typically higher per view than TikTok

Which Platform Should You Choose?

Choose TikTok If:

• You're building a new audience from zero (better discoverability for new creators)
• Your content is entertainment-focused, trend-driven, or music-oriented
• You want faster viral potential and explosive growth spikes
• Your target audience is Gen Z (13-24 years old)
• You're comfortable with trending sounds and formats

Choose YouTube Shorts If:

• You have an existing YouTube channel (synergy with long-form content)
• Your content is educational, how-to, or informational
• You want more sustainable, steady growth
• Your target audience is Millennials or older (25+ years)
• You're focused on long-term monetization (higher revenue per view)

Do Both If:

• You have the resources to post consistently on multiple platforms
• Your content works across different audience demographics
• You want to maximize reach and don't mind platform-specific optimization

Many successful creators post the same core content to both platforms with minor adjustments for each algorithm.

Workflow for Multi-Platform Posting

1. Create Once, Optimize Twice

Film and edit your master video at 1080×1920. Keep important elements in the universal safe zone (center 60% of frame).

2. Export Optimized Versions

Export two versions with platform-specific settings (see export settings above). The differences are minor but can improve quality on each platform.

3. Platform-Specific Metadata

Prepare different titles, descriptions, and hashtags for each platform:

• TikTok: Short, punchy caption with trending hashtags
• YouTube: SEO-optimized title with #Shorts and descriptive tags

4. Timing Optimization

• TikTok: Post during peak hours (6-10 PM in your audience's timezone)
• YouTube: Post in the morning (8-11 AM) for best initial traction

5. Track Performance

Monitor which platform performs better for different content types. Double down on what works on each platform.

Conclusion

TikTok and YouTube Shorts share nearly identical technical specifications, making it easy to create content for both platforms from a single source file. The real differences lie in audience demographics, algorithm behavior, and content culture.

For maximum reach, we recommend creating content optimized for both platforms. The additional effort is minimal — mostly involving platform-specific metadata and minor timing adjustments — while the potential reach is doubled.

Whether you focus on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or both, the key to success remains the same: create engaging, high-quality vertical video content that hooks viewers in the first 3 seconds and delivers value throughout.

Related Resources

• Complete TikTok Specs - Full specification reference for TikTok
• Complete YouTube Specs - Full specification reference for YouTube
• Understanding Aspect Ratios - Learn about 9:16 and other formats
• Aspect Ratio Calculator - Calculate dimensions for any aspect ratio
• Instagram 2025 Updates - Stay current on other platforms