How to Post a Video on X (Twitter)

Posting a video on X can stop the scroll and grab your audience's attention in a way static posts can't. When done right, video has the power to tell a story, drive engagement, and get your message seen by thousands. This guide will walk you through the exact technical requirements, the step-by-step process on any device, and simple strategies to make your videos stand out and get results.

Why Video on X Matters Now More Than Ever

In a feed crowded with text and static images, a moving video is an instant pattern interrupt. It captures the eye and encourages users to pause. The X algorithm tends to favor native video content because it keeps people on the platform longer. This means your video posts often get more organic reach and impressions than a simple link to an external video site like YouTube.

Videos on X are perfect for:

• Product Demonstrations: Show your product in action instead of just describing it.
• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Build community and trust by showing the human side of your brand.
• Quick Tutorials or Tips: Provide genuine value that positions you as an expert.
• Announcements and Launches: Generate excitement with dynamic visuals and a clear message.
• User-Generated Content (UGC): Reposting video testimonials or reviews from your customers is powerful social proof.

Simply put, video transforms your profile from a bulletin board into an engaging, dynamic channel for your brand or personality.

Understanding X's Video Requirements Before You Post

Few things are more frustrating than spending time creating a great video only to have it rejected during upload. To avoid errors, you need to know the platform's technical limits. The specifications vary slightly depending on whether you're a free user or have an X Premium subscription.

For Standard (Free) X Users:

• File Format: MP4 with H.264 codec and AAC audio is the recommended format. MOV is also accepted.
• Maximum File Size: 512 MB. This is the most common reason for upload failures, so check your file size before you start.
• Maximum Video Length: 2 minutes and 20 seconds (140 seconds). If your video is longer, you’ll need to trim it.
• Resolution: The minimum is 32x32, and the maximum is 1920x1200 (or 1200x1920 for vertical videos). Common aspect ratios like 16:9 (widescreen), 1:1 (square), and 9:16 (vertical/portrait) are all supported.
• Frame Rate: Aim for 30 FPS or 60 FPS for a smooth viewing experience.
• Bitrate: Up to 25 Mbps.

For X Premium Subscribers:

A paid subscription significantly expands your video capabilities:

• Maximum File Size: 8 GB.
• Maximum Video Length: Up to 3 hours (only available on web) or 10 minutes (on mobile).
• Maximum Quality: Videos can be uploaded in 1080p resolution.

Unless you're uploading long-form interviews or documentaries, the free account specs are usually more than enough for everyday marketing and communication.

How to Post a Video on X: Step-by-Step Guides

The process of uploading a video is slightly different depending on whether you're using a computer or your phone. We’ll cover both.

Posting a Video from a Desktop Browser

Using the X website on your laptop or desktop computer gives you a bigger interface to work with and is ideal for uploading pre-edited, polished videos.

1. Start a New Post: Log into your X account. The post composer box is at the top of your home timeline. Click inside it where it says "What is happening?!"
2. Select Your Video File: Click the media icon (it looks like a small picture of mountains) at the bottom left of the composer window. This will open a file browser on your computer. Navigate to your video file and select it.
3. Trim and Edit (Optional): Once the video is uploaded, you'll see a thumbnail appear in the composer. Click the "Edit" button that appears on the thumbnail. This opens X's simple video editor. Here you can:
   • Trim the video: Drag the handles at the beginning and end of the video timeline to choose the section you want to post. This is essential if your video is over the 140-second limit.
   • Select a Thumbnail: Scrub through the video by dragging the playhead and click "Save" when you land on the frame you want to use as the cover image.
4. Upload a Subtitle File: In the editor, you can also upload a separate SRT subtitle file for captions. This is highly recommended for accessibility.
5. Write Your Text: Craft an engaging caption to accompany your video. Ask a question, add context, or include a clear call-to-action.
6. Add Tags and More:
   • Tag accounts: Click "Tag people" and type in the @username of any relevant accounts.
   • Add description (ALT Text): Click "Add description" to write a description of your video, making it accessible to visually impaired users.
   • Add location: If relevant, tag your location.
7. Post or Schedule: When you're ready, you can either click the "Post" button to share it immediately or click the calendar icon to schedule it for a later date and time.

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

Posting from your phone is perfect for sharing videos captured in the moment or for quick updates on the go.

1. Start a New Post: Open the X app and tap the blue compose button (it has a plus symbol and a feather quill icon) in the bottom-right corner.
2. Open Your Media Library: Tap the media icon (again, it looks like a picture of mountains) at the bottom left of the compose screen. This will open your phone’s photo and video gallery.
3. Select Your Video: Find the video you want to share and tap on it. You can select one video per post.
4. Edit the Video: The mobile editor will automatically appear. You can drag the handles on the timeline at the bottom to trim it to your desired length.
5. Add Your Caption and Enhancements:
   • Type your accompanying text in the "What is happening?!" field.
   • Tap "Add description" (often labeled "ALT") on the video thumbnail to add accessibility text.
   • Tap "Tag people" to mention other accounts.
   • Tap the location pin to tag a physical location.
6. Post Your Video: Once everything looks right, tap the "Post" button in the top-right corner, and your video will go live.

Beyond the Basics: Optimizing Your Video for Maximum Engagement

Simply uploading a video isn't enough. To get the most out of your efforts, you need to think a little more like a marketer. Here are some proven strategies to help your videos perform better.

Hook Viewers in the First Three Seconds

Attention spans on social media are incredibly short. Your video's opening moments have to work hard to stop someone from scrolling. Start with a powerful visual, a surprising statement, or a question that piques curiosity. Don't waste time with a long logo intro, get straight to an interesting part and save the context for the end.

Add Closed Captions or On-Screen Text

Over 85% of people watch social videos with the sound off. If your video relies on audio narration or spoken dialogue, you’re losing a huge portion of a potential audience if you don't use captions. You can burn subtitles directly into your video using video editing software or use X’s native feature on desktop to upload an SRT file. At a minimum, use descriptive text overlays to help viewers understand the main points without audio.

Write a Smart Caption with a Call-to-Action (CTA)

Your video does the job of capturing attention, but the text tells people what to do next. Use your copy to:

• Add context: Provide a backdrop for what's happening in the video.
• Ask a question: Prompt responses and turn viewers into participants. For instance, "What’s your favorite feature we shared? Let us know below!"
• Include a CTA: Tell people clearly what you want them to do. For example: “Visit our site,” “Check out the full video (link in bio)," or “Retweet if you agree!”

Choose the Right Hashtags

Hashtags help categorize your post and make it discoverable to users who don't follow you yet. But don't just stuff your post with trending terms. Use a mix of one or two broad hashtags related to the topic (#Marketing, #Tech) and one or two niche, specific options (#SocialMediaStrategy, #NewProductLaunch). The best approach on X is to keep it focused - 2-3 relevant hashtags is usually the sweet spot.

Always Select a Custom Thumbnail

When someone scrolls to your X profile page or your video is recommended to another viewer, the thumbnail is the only thing they'll see before pressing play. X automatically selects a thumbnail, but it's often blurry or shows a random, unappealing freeze-frame. In the editing suite, take a moment to scroll through your video's timeline and select the clearest, most appealing image to serve as your cover.

Final Thoughts

Posting video on X is a straightforward process once you understand the technical limits for file size and length. By focusing not just on the upload steps, but on creating compelling content with clear audio, captions, and an engaging hook, you can turn your X profile into a powerful channel for storytelling and audience growth.

Of course, managing a consistent video strategy across multiple social platforms can be demanding. We actually built Postbase because we were tired of legacy tools that treat modern content formats like video as an afterthought. Our platform is designed video-first, making it seamless to plan your content calendar visually, upload high-quality videos just once, and schedule them to publish natively on X, Instagram, TikTok, and more, all from one beautifully simple dashboard. It eliminates the frustration of posts failing or needing constant workarounds, so you can focus on creating great content.