Video Format Compatibility Chart: Which Platform Accepts What

Understanding Video Formats: A Beginner's Guide

Think of video formats like file types—similar to how documents can be .doc or .pdf. Different platforms prefer different video formats. Understanding this helps you share videos without technical problems.

What Are Video Codecs and Resolution?

A codec is like a language your video speaks. Common codecs include H.264 (the most universal) and VP9. Resolution describes video clarity: 720p is good for web, 1080p is clearer, and 4K is super sharp. Higher quality means larger file sizes.

Platform Compatibility Breakdown

YouTube: Accepts MP4 (best choice), MOV, AVI, and WebM. Upload videos up to 12 hours long. Resolution up to 4K works perfectly.

Instagram & TikTok: Prefer MP4 format. Instagram works best with 1080x1920 vertical videos. File size matters—keep it under 100MB for smooth uploads.

Facebook: Accepts MP4 and MOV. Vertical videos (9:16) perform better than horizontal ones.

WhatsApp & Discord: These platforms need smaller files. WhatsApp accepts videos under 16MB. Discord prefers files under 25MB.

Email Sharing: Most email providers limit attachments to 25MB. Larger videos should use cloud links instead.

How to Check and Convert Your Videos

Not sure if your video will work? Use SaveClip's free tools. First, compress your video to the right size for your platform. Visit save-clip.com/compress and choose your preset: 16MB for WhatsApp, 25MB for Discord, or 100MB for general use.

Need a different format? Go to save-clip.com/convert and change your video to MP4, WebM, MOV, or other formats. SaveClip supports files up to 500MB—no signup required, completely free.

Quick Tips for Success

Always export videos as MP4 when possible—it's the most compatible format everywhere. For smaller platforms like WhatsApp, compression is your friend. Higher bitrate (data quality) means better picture but larger files. Find the balance for your needs.

Join SaveClip's community at save-clip.com/community to ask questions and learn from other users. Share your video challenges and get help from real people.

Final Checklist Before Uploading

Check your video's format (MP4 is safest), resolution (1080p works almost everywhere), and file size (smaller is usually better). When in doubt, compress first, then convert to MP4. This simple approach solves 90% of video compatibility problems.