Twitter (X) File Size Limits
Media upload limits for Twitter/X in 2024
Video
2 min 20 sec max
Images
Per image (4 max)
GIFs
Mobile: 5MB
Twitter/X Media Limits
| Media Type | Free Users | X Premium ($8/mo) | Premium+ ($16/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Size | 512 MB | 2 GB | 3 GB (8GB planned) |
| Video Duration | 2:20 (140 sec) | 10 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Image Size | 5 MB | 5 MB | 5 MB |
| Images per Post | 4 images | 4 images | 4 images |
| GIF Size | 15 MB (5MB mobile) | 15 MB | 15 MB |
| Tweet Length | 280 characters | 25,000 characters | 25,000 characters |
| Video Resolution | 1920×1200 (portrait 1200×1900) | 1920×1200 | 4K (3840×2160) |
Video Technical Requirements
📐 Dimensions & Aspect Ratio
- Minimum: 32×32 pixels
- Maximum: 1920×1200 (landscape)
- Portrait: 1200×1900 max
- Aspect ratios: 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:5
- Premium+: Up to 4K (3840×2160)
🎬 Format & Codec
- Format: MP4 or MOV
- Video codec: H.264
- Audio codec: AAC
- Frame rate: 30 or 60 FPS
- Bitrate: 25 Mbps max
⚙️ Additional Settings
- Profile: High recommended
- Pixel format: YUV420
- Audio sample rate: 44.1 kHz
- Audio bitrate: 128 kbps
- Channels: Stereo
Image & GIF Requirements
| Type | Max Size | Formats | Recommended Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Images | 5 MB | JPG, PNG, WebP | 1200×675 (16:9) or 1080×1080 (1:1) |
| GIFs | 15 MB (web) / 5 MB (mobile) | GIF | 1280×1080 or smaller |
| Header Photo | 5 MB | JPG, PNG, WebP | 1500×500 |
| Profile Picture | 2 MB | JPG, PNG | 400×400 |
Optimize Media for Twitter/X
1. Compress Videos Efficiently
Reduce file size while maintaining quality:
- Use H.264 codec for best compatibility
- Target 5-10 Mbps bitrate for 1080p
- 30 FPS sufficient for most content
- Use HandBrake or FFmpeg
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vcodec h264 -acodec aac -b:v 5M -maxrate 5M -bufsize 10M -r 30 output.mp4
2. Optimize Images
Best practices:
- Use 1200×675 for landscape (16:9)
- 1080×1080 for square posts
- Compress JPG to 85% quality
- Convert PNG to JPG for photos
3. GIF Alternatives
Better options:
- Convert GIF to MP4 (smaller size)
- Use video instead of GIF
- Reduce GIF dimensions if too large
- Lower frame rate to reduce size
4. Post Longer Videos
Workarounds for free users:
- Split into multiple tweets (thread)
- Upload to YouTube, share link
- Consider X Premium ($8/mo → 10 min)
- Premium+ for 1 hour videos
Best Practices
📱 Mobile vs Desktop
- Web/desktop: 15 MB GIF limit
- Mobile app: 5 MB GIF limit
- Upload large GIFs from desktop
- Videos: Same limits all platforms
🎯 Engagement Optimization
- Square (1:1) performs best on mobile
- 16:9 landscape for desktop viewers
- First frame should be engaging (auto-preview)
- Add captions for accessibility
⚡ Upload Speed Tips
- Compress before uploading
- Use wired connection for large files
- Upload during off-peak hours
- Desktop app more reliable than mobile
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Twitter compress my videos?
Twitter re-encodes all uploaded videos to ensure consistent playback across devices. Even if your video meets specs, Twitter may compress it further. To minimize quality loss, upload videos already optimized for Twitter's specs (H.264, 5-10 Mbps, 1080p max for free users).
Can I upload 4K videos to Twitter?
Only with X Premium+ ($16/month). Free users and X Premium are limited to 1080p (1920×1200). Premium+ supports up to 4K (3840×2160) resolution. However, Twitter may still compress 4K videos, and most viewers watch on mobile devices that can't display 4K.
Why is my GIF upload failing?
Common reasons: 1) File over 15 MB (use desktop) or 5 MB (mobile). 2) Dimensions too large (try 1280×1080 or smaller). 3) Too many frames. Solution: Convert GIF to MP4 video - smaller file size, better quality, and plays automatically like GIFs.
What's the best video format for Twitter?
MP4 with H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec. Settings: 1080p resolution, 30 FPS, 5-10 Mbps bitrate, YUV420 pixel format. This ensures best quality-to-size ratio and widest compatibility. MOV also works but MP4 is more universal.
How long can videos be on Twitter?
Free: 2 minutes 20 seconds (140 seconds). X Premium ($8/mo): 10 minutes. X Premium+ ($16/mo): 60 minutes (1 hour). All plans have file size limits: 512MB free, 2GB Premium, 3GB Premium+ (expanding to 8GB).