How to Make a TikTok Video Longer Than 60 Seconds

Feeling capped at 60 seconds on TikTok? Good news: that limit is a relic of the past. You can now create videos that are 3, 10, or even 15 minutes long, giving you the space to tell richer stories, share detailed tutorials, and connect more deeply with your audience. This guide will walk you through exactly how to make a TikTok video longer than 60 seconds, both by recording directly in the app and by uploading from your camera roll.

Understanding TikTok's Evolving Video Lengths

First, it’s helpful to understand that TikTok's time limits have changed a lot. What started as a platform for 15-second dance clips has slowly expanded to accommodate much longer content. The length you can access often depends on your account, as TikTok rolls out features to different users at different times. Here's a quick look at the journey:

• The Early Days (15 &, 60 seconds): Initially, videos were maxed out at 15 seconds, and could later be strung together for a total of 60 seconds. This defined the super-short, punchy format the app became known for.
• The 3-Minute Expansion: In 2021, TikTok made a huge leap by rolling out the ability to create 3-minute videos. This was a game-changer for creators who were tired of splitting longer stories into multiple parts.
• The 10-Minute Milestone: In 2022, the limit was pushed even further to 10 minutes for all users, officially positioning TikTok as a direct competitor to YouTube for medium-form video content.
• The New Frontier (15 minutes and beyond): More recently, TikTok has started experimenting with even longer limits, offering 15-minute - and in some select cases, 30-minute - uploads to some creators.

For most users today, the 10-minute limit is the standard you can expect to have available for both in-app recording and uploads. Let's get into how you can use it.

Method 1: How to Record a Longer Video Directly in the TikTok App

If you prefer the spontaneity of recording directly within the TikTok app, stretching your time limit is incredibly straightforward. You just need to know where to find the setting. Most creators have access to 3-minute and 10-minute options right from the camera screen.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Open the TikTok Camera

Start by tapping the plus icon (+) at the bottom center of your screen. This will open the familiar recording interface.

2. Select Your Maximum Video Length

Just above the big red record button, you'll see a carousel of time options. It usually defaults to "15s." Swipe left on these options until you see "60s," "3m," and "10m." Tap on the maximum duration you want for your video. For example, if you tap "10m," your video can be up to ten minutes long. It doesn't have to be exactly ten minutes, this just sets the upper limit.

Pro-Tip: Selecting a longer duration doesn’t change how you record. You’re simply giving yourself more runway. You can still film short, individual clips that stitch together.

3. Record Your Video

Now, you can record as you normally would. Press and hold the red button to record a clip, or tap it once to start recording hands-free and again to stop. As you add clips, the blue progress bar at the top of the screen will show you how much of your total selected time you've used.

For example, you could:

• Record a 20-second intro clip.
• Stop and record a 45-second main-point clip.
• Stop again and record a final 15-second closing clip.

All these clips will be stitched together into one video on the editing screen, as long as their total length is under the maximum time you selected (e.g., 3m or 10m).

4. Edit and Post

Once you're done recording, tap the red checkmark to move to the editing screen. Here, you can add text, stickers, effects, voiceovers, and more - just as you would with a shorter video. After your edits are complete, tap "Next," write your caption with relevant hashtags, and hit "Post."

Method 2: How to Upload a Longer Video from Your Camera Roll

For many creators, producing a high-quality, longer video means recording with a different camera and using dedicated video editing software like CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush, or DaVinci Resolve. The upload method is perfect for this polished content.

With this approach, you're not bound by the in-app recording tools, giving you far more creative control over pacing, color grading, graphics, and clean edits.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Create and Edit Your Video Externally

First, film and edit your video using your phone's camera and your preferred editing app. The key is to make sure your final, exported video file is under TikTok's maximum length limit (10 minutes for most users).

2. Open TikTok and Go to the Upload Screen

Open the TikTok app and tap the plus icon (+) again. Instead of pressing the record button, look for the "Upload" button to the lower right of it. Tap on it.

3. Select Your Video File

Your phone’s camera roll or gallery will appear. Select the long video you edited and want to upload. You can also select multiple clips here, and TikTok will stitch them together for you in the editor if you prefer.

4. Trim and Adjust

TikTok will show you a preview of your video. You can drag the handles on the timeline at the bottom to trim the beginning or end if needed. Once you’re happy with the selection, tap "Next."

5. Add Your TikTok Finishes

Even though the video is already edited, now is your chance to add TikTok-native elements that help it fit into the platform's culture. This is the perfect time to:

• Add a trending sound: You can layer a popular song or sound over your video. Just use the volume tool to turn the original audio down if you want the trending sound to be the focus.
• Use auto-captions: Add subtitles to make your video more accessible and engaging for people watching with the sound off.
• Place text overlays: Add headlines or call out key points with TikTok’s text tool.

6. Write Your Caption and Post

Complete the final screen by writing a compelling caption, adding 3-5 strategic hashtags, tagging any relevant accounts, and choosing your cover image. Then, hit "Post," and your longer video will be live.

Why Bother With Longer Videos? The Strategic Benefits

Making a video longer just for the sake of it won't help you grow. But when used intentionally, long-form content on TikTok can be a powerful tool to build community and establish your authority.

1. Deeper Storytelling

No more "Like for Part 2"! A longer format allows you to tell a complete, satisfying story from start to finish. This is great for GRWMs (Get Ready With Me), travel vlogs, personal narratives, or behind-the-scenes looks at your business. Viewers get the full context in one video, which is a much better experience.

2. More Value for Your Audience

Longer videos are perfect for education. You can create in-depth tutorials, product demonstrations, comprehensive reviews, or break down complex topics without rushing. If you're a chef, you can show a full recipe. If you're a trainer, you can guide a full workout routine. This builds trust and positions you as an expert in your niche.

3. Increased Watch Time and Signals to the Algorithm

Watch time is a powerful signal to the TikTok algorithm. While a user watching a full 15 seconds of a 15-second video is a great completion rate, someone watching 4 minutes of a 6-minute video sends an even stronger message of interest. The longer you can hold a viewer's attention, the more likely TikTok is to push your content to a wider audience, as it indicates the content is compelling.

3 Quick Tips for Making Your Long Videos Engaging

Creating a longer video is one thing, keeping viewers hooked for the entire duration is another. People on TikTok are used to a fast pace, so you have to work hard to hold their attention.

1. Have a Killer First 3 Seconds

Open with a strong hook immediately. Ask a provocative question, show the surprising end result ("this is how I turned this thrift find into this"), or make a bold statement. Your goal is to give the viewer a reason to stop scrolling and invest their time.

2. Use Pattern Interrupts

Don't hold a single shot for too long. Use a combination of tools to keep the visuals dynamic and fresh:

• Quick cuts and jump cuts to speed up the pace.
• Zooming in and out to add emphasis.
• Adding B-roll footage (supplemental shots that illustrate what you're talking about).
• Using on-screen text overlays to guide the narrative.

3. Structure Your Narrative

A good long video isn't just a ramble - it has a clear structure. Think of it as a mini-story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. For tutorials, preview the final result first, then walk through the steps. For stories, build anticipation and end with a satisfying conclusion.

Final Thoughts

Making TikTok videos longer than 60 seconds is no longer a secret trick - it’s a core feature of the platform that unlocks powerful new ways to create. By either selecting a longer recording time in the app or uploading a pre-edited video from your camera roll, you can start telling more complete stories and providing deeper value to your audience.

Once you start creating longer, more involved videos for TikTok and other platforms, you'll find that planning and staying consistent becomes more of a challenge. To help you manage this without getting overwhelmed, we built Postbase with a visual calendar that lets you see your entire video strategy across TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts in one simple view. It streamlines scheduling so you can spend less time managing uploads and more time creating amazing content.