How to Post a Video on Twitter

Posting a video on Twitter, now X, is one of the most effective ways to stop the scroll and grab your audience's attention. This guide will walk you through the exact steps for uploading videos from any device and share pro tips to make sure your content actually gets seen and drives engagement.

Why Video on Twitter Is a Game-Changer

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." In a sea of text-based updates, video content immediately stands out. It’s dynamic, emotive, and packs a ton of information into a short time frame. A well-made video can communicate your brand’s personality, demonstrate a product, or share a story far more effectively than 280 characters ever could.

Videos on social media generate significantly more shares than text and image content combined. For brands, creators, and marketers, that means more organic reach, better audience connection, and a higher chance of your message resonating. On a platform as fast-moving as X, video is no longer a "nice-to-have" - it's an essential part of a strong content strategy.

Twitter Video Specifications: The Technical Rules You Need to Know

Nothing is more frustrating than perfecting a video only to have it rejected upon upload. To avoid this, get familiar with X’s video requirements before you start editing. Keep these specs in mind to ensure a smooth upload process every time.

General Requirements (All Users)

• File Formats: MP4 or MOV. These are standard formats, so most video editing software and cameras will export them by default.
• Maximum File Size: 512MB. If your file is larger, you’ll need to compress it before uploading.
• Maximum Video Length: 140 seconds (2 minutes and 20 seconds). For longer videos, you'll need a different approach (more on that below).
• Resolution: The minimum is 32x32 pixels, and the maximum is 1920x1200 or 1200x1900. A standard 1080p video (1920x1080) works perfectly.
• Aspect Ratio: Should be between 1:2.39 and 2.39:1. This is a wide range, but for best results on mobile, stick to square (1:1) or vertical (9:16) aspect ratios.
• Frame Rate: 60 FPS (frames per second) or less.
• Bitrate: 25 Mbps or less.

X Premium Subscribers

If you're subscribed to X Premium, you get a few benefits that allow for higher-quality or longer content:

• Maximum Video Length: You can upload videos up to 3 hours long on the web, or up to 10 minutes from iOS or Android.
• Maximum File Size: The limit is increased to 8GB.
• Video Quality: Subscribers can upload at a full 1080p resolution.

How to Post a Video on Twitter (Step-by-Step)

The process is straightforward whether you’re on your computer or phone. Here’s a breakdown for each method.

Posting a Video from a Desktop Browser

Uploading from your computer gives you the most control, especially for adding extras like captions and a custom thumbnail.

1. Open the Composer: Go to x.com and log in. You'll see the post composer box at the top of your timeline that asks, "What is happening?"
2. Select Your Video: In the composer, click the "Media" icon (it looks like a small picture of mountains). This will open a file browser. Navigate to your video file and select it.
3. Trim Your Video (Optional): Once the video is uploaded, you'll see a preview. Click the "Edit" button in the top-right corner of the video thumbnail. From here, you can drag the handles to trim the beginning or end of your video to fit the 140-second limit (or longer for Premium users).
4. Choose a Thumbnail: In the same "Edit" screen, you can scrub through your video to pick the perfect thumbnail. If your account is verified or you subscribe to Premium, you’ll also see an option to upload a custom thumbnail image, which is a fantastic way to increase click-through rates.
5. Upload Captions (SRT file): This is a must-do for engagement. Still in the "Edit" popup, you'll see an "Upload caption file (.srt)" button. Click this to add your pre-made SRT caption file. Over 85% of social media videos are watched with the sound off, so captions are essential.
6. Write Your Tweet: Now, craft the text for your tweet. Tell viewers what your video is about, ask a question to spark conversation, and include relevant hashtags. You can also tag people or brands in the video.
7. Post or Schedule: When you're ready, click the "Post" button. Alternatively, you can click the calendar icon to schedule the tweet for a later time and date.

Posting a Video from the Mobile App (iOS and Android)

Uploading from your phone is quick and perfect for posting on the go. The process is virtually identical for both iOS and Android users.

1. Open a New Post: Tap the blue compose icon (the plus sign with a quill) in the bottom-right corner of the screen, and then tap "Post."
2. Select Your Video: In the composer, tap the image icon on the left side. This will open your phone's photo gallery. Select the video you want to upload.
3. Edit the Video: The app gives you basic editing tools. You can trim the clip by dragging the yellow handles at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Done" when you're finished.
4. Add Your Text: Write the copy for your tweet. Just like on desktop, you can add hashtags, mention other accounts, and include a location if you wish.
5. Post It: Once your text is ready and your video is attached, tap the "Post" button in the top-right corner to publish it immediately.

Beyond Uploading: Pro Tips for High-Performing Videos

Just putting a video on your timeline isn’t enough. To truly connect and get results, you need to optimize it for the platform. Here’s how to give your video content the best chance to succeed.

1. Hook Your Audience in the First 3 Seconds

The average X user's attention span is incredibly short. Your video's first few seconds must be captivating enough to stop their thumb from scrolling. Start with your most visually interesting shot, a bold statement (in text-on-screen), or a question that piques curiosity. Don't waste time with a slow intro or a branded logo animation on an intro screen.

Example: If you’re sharing a recipe video, don't start with chopping onions. Start with the "money shot" - the final, delicious dish being served up.

2. Always Add Closed Captions (SRT Files)

As mentioned, most people view videos without sound. If your message relies on audio, it will be completely lost on the majority of your audience. Captions make your content accessible to those who are hard of hearing, watching in public, or just prefer to browse silently. Adding an SRT file on desktop is the professional standard and ensures your captions are accurate and easy to read.

There are many free online tools that can generate an SRT file from your video’s audio, or you can create one manually in a text editor.

3. Optimize for Vertical Viewing

Most users are on their phones, holding them vertically. Design your videos to fill that screen. A 9:16 or 4:5 aspect ratio is much more immersive on a mobile device than a traditional 16:9 horizontal video, which will appear tiny on the feed. Shoot vertically if you can, or edit your horizontal footage to fit a vertical frame by adding graphics or captions above and below.

4. Choose an Eye-Catching Thumbnail

Your thumbnail is the "cover" of your video. It's what people see before they hit play. A blurry, dark, or uninteresting thumbnail won't get any clicks. On desktop, scrub through your clip to find a clear, compelling frame or - even better - upload a custom one. A great thumbnail often includes a person's face, bright colors, or large-font text that teases the video's content.

5. Write a Tweet That Drives Clicks and Conversation

Your video doesn't live in a bubble. The accompanying tweet is critical. Use it to provide context, highlight a key quote from the video, or ask a direct question that encourages replies. Including one to three relevant hashtags can also help your video get discovered by users who don't already follow you.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Sometimes things go wrong. Here are a few common issues and their solutions:

• My video is showing a "processing" error. This is common for larger files. Give it a few minutes to finish processing. If it's stuck, the file may be corrupted. Try re-exporting your video and uploading it again.
• My video file is too large (over 512MB). You'll need to compress it. A free tool like HandBrake can significantly reduce file size without a noticeable loss in quality. Just adjust the bitrate or resolution settings.
• My video is longer than 140 seconds. You either need to trim it down using Twitter's editor or a separate editing tool, or subscribe to X Premium to upload longer clips.
• The video quality looks poor after uploading. Twitter compresses all videos to save bandwidth. To get the best possible result, make sure you're uploading a high-quality source file in 1080p and stick to the recommended bitrate of 25 Mbps or less.

Final Thoughts

Uploading a video to Twitter is mechanically simple, but making that video perform well is an art. By following the platform's technical rules and optimizing your content with a strong hook, clear captions, and engaging copy, you shift from simply contributing to the noise to building a real connection with your audience.

Mastering this process is key, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. At a certain point, managing content across multiple platforms becomes too time-consuming. We built Postbase to solve this problem. It's a modern, video-first social media management tool where you can plan your content calendar visually and schedule all your videos for X, TikTok, Reels, and Shorts at once without wrestling with tools that weren't designed for today's content formats. It helps keep your workflow streamlined so you can focus on creating great videos, not just posting them.