How to Upload Videos to Twitter

Uploading a video to Twitter seems simple, but getting it right involves a bit more than just clicking the post button. This guide will walk you through every step, from understanding the technical requirements to mastering the best practices that drive real engagement on the platform.

Before You Upload: Understanding Twitter’s Video Requirements

Before you even try to upload, knowing Twitter’s technical specs can save you a ton of frustration. If your video fails to upload or looks distorted, one of these rules is usually the culprit. Think of this as your pre-flight checklist.

Twitter Video Specifications

• File Format: MP4 with H264 format and AAC audio is the recommended format for web browsers. On the mobile app, you can use either MP4 or MOV.
• File Size: Your video file can be up to 512MB, but here’s a tip: Twitter recommends keeping files under 1GB for optimal performance.
• Video Length: The maximum video length is 2 minutes and 20 seconds (140 seconds). If your video is longer, you’ll need to trim it.
• Frame Rate: A maximum of 60 frames per second (FPS) is supported.
• Resolutions and Aspect Ratios:
  • Minimum Resolution: 32 x 32 pixels
  • Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1200 pixels (or 1200 x 1900 for portrait)
  • Supported Aspect Ratios: Between 1:2.39 widescreen and 2.39:1 portrait mode. Aiming for 16:9 (horizontal) or 9:16 (vertical) is a safe bet for most devices.

How to Upload a Video to Twitter on Desktop

Uploading from your computer gives you the most control and is the best option for professionally edited content. Here’s how to do it step by step.

Step 1: Start a New Post

Log in to your Twitter account. Click the blue "Post" button at the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu, or stay on the "Home" feed and click into the "What is happening?!" compose box at the top.

Step 2: Select Your Video File

In the composer window, click the "Media" icon (it looks like a small picture of mountains). This will open your computer's file explorer. Navigate to your video file, select it, and click "Open" to attach it to your tweet.

Step 3: Edit Your Video (Optional)

Once your video is attached, Twitter gives you a few editing options right on the platform:

• Trim Your Video: If your video is longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds, you’ll be prompted to shorten it. You can drag the handles on the timeline at the bottom to select the segment you want to keep.
• Choose Your Thumbnail: Click the "Edit" button on the video preview. At the bottom, you'll see a filmstrip. You can drag the scrubber to find the perfect frame to use as your thumbnail. This is your video’s first impression, so choose a frame that’s engaging and clear! Click "Save" when you're done.

Step 4: Tag Accounts and Add Alt Text

Before writing your tweet, you have two more essential options available on the video thumbnail:

• Tag people: Click the "Tag people" button to tag up to 10 other Twitter accounts. This is a great way to notify collaborators, give credit, or get the attention of brands or influencers mentioned in your video.
• Add Alt Text: Click the "ALT" button to add a text description of your video. This is an important accessibility feature for users who have screen readers. Write a clear, concise description of what happens in the video.

Step 5: Write Your Tweet and Add Captions

Now, write the text that will accompany your video. This is your chance to add context, ask a question to spark conversation, or include a clear call-to-action. Don't forget to use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.

If you have a caption file (an .SRT file), this is also the time to upload it. While in the video "Edit" screen, look for the "Upload captions file" button. Closed captions are super important, as many users watch videos with the sound off.

Step 6: Post or Schedule

Once you’re happy with everything, you have two options:

• Post now: Click the blue "Post" button.
• Schedule for later: Click the calendar icon at the bottom of the composer to pick a future date and time for your tweet to go live.

How to Upload a Video to Twitter on the Mobile App (iOS and Android)

Uploading on the go is easy and perfect for capturing in-the-moment clips. The process is very similar for both iOS and Android devices.

Step 1: Open the Tweet Composer

Open the Twitter app and tap the blue "plus" icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. Tap the "Post" option (it looks like a feather with a plus sign).

Step 2: Select Your Video

Tap the picture icon on the bottom left of the composer screen to open your phone’s gallery. Navigate to your video and tap to select it.

Step 3: Trim and Edit your Video

The mobile app offers a simple editor. You can drag the ends of the video timeline at the bottom of the screen to trim it to the 2-minute-and-20-second maximum length. You can also mute the audio by tapping the speaker icon. When you’re finished, tap "Done."

Step 4: Add Text, Hashtags, and Other Content

Just like on a desktop, you can now write your tweet, tag other accounts (by typing @username), use hashtags, and add location tags. Tap the "ALT" badge on the thumbnail to add your accessibility description.

Step 5: Post Your Video

When you're ready, tap "Post." Unlike the desktop version, you can't schedule posts directly from the basic mobile composer, so your video will go live immediately.

Troubleshooting Common Twitter Video Upload Issues

Things don’t always go smoothly. If you run into a problem, it’s most likely one of these common issues. Here’s how to fix them.

Problem: "Unsupported file type" Error

This is the most common problem and it almost always means your video file isn't in the right format. While Twitter *can* handle various formats, it strongly prefers MP4.

The Fix: Use a free video converter tool (like HandBrake or an online converter) to change your file to an MP4 with H.264 video codec and AAC audio. This solves the problem 99% of the time.

Problem: My Video is Stuck on "Processing"

You’ve uploaded the video, but it’s just sitting there, not going public. This often happens with larger files or during times of high traffic on Twitter’s servers.

The Fix:

• Be patient. Give it a few minutes, especially if the file is close to the 512MB limit.
• Check your internet connection. A weak or unstable connection could be the bottleneck.
• Try a smaller file. If possible, compress your video to a smaller file size without sacrificing too much quality and try re-uploading.
• Refresh and try again. If it's been a while, simply delete the draft, refresh the page, and start the upload process over.

Problem: The Video Quality Looks Bad After Uploading

Twitter compresses all video files to optimize them for fast streaming on different devices and internet speeds. Sometimes, this compression can make your crisp video look pixelated or blurry.

The Fix: Upload a video with the highest quality possible (within the 512MB limit). If you give Twitter’s compression algorithm a higher-quality source file to start with, the final compressed version will look much better. Shooting in 1080p rather than 720p, for example, makes a noticeable difference.

Best Practices: Uploading Videos That Actually Perform

Getting your video on Twitter is step one. Getting people to watch, engage, and share it is the real goal. Here are a few strategies to make your videos stand out.

1. Get to the Point Immediately

You have less than three seconds to capture someone’s attention as they scroll. Don't waste time on long intros or slow-panning shots. Start with the most visually interesting or surprising part of your video. Make them stop and wonder what’s happening.

2. Optimize for Mobile and Sound-Off Viewing

The vast majority of users will see your video on a mobile device, often without a sound.

• Use vertical video. While horizontal video works, a vertical (9:16 aspect ratio) video takes up more screen real estate on mobile phones, making it far more immersive.
• Add text overlays or captions. Assume people are watching in a quiet office or on public transit with the sound off. Use burned-in text overlays to highlight key messages, or better yet, upload an SRT caption file for viewer-enabled closed captions. Without them, your message is lost.

3. Write a Great Tweet to Accompany It

The video can't do all the work on its own. Your accompanying text should provide context, stir curiosity, or encourage a specific action.

• Ask a question: "What would you have done in this situation? 👇"
• Create a shocking or intriguing statement: "This is the one marketing mistake we will never make again."
• Tell people what to do: "Check out the full story at the link in our bio."

Final Thoughts

Mastering video on Twitter is a huge step toward building an engaged community. By preparing your files correctly and following a few simple best practices, you can ensure your content not only looks great but also captures the short-lived attention of scrollers everywhere.

We built Postbase because we saw how frustrating it was for creators and marketers to manage modern content - especially video - with tools designed a decade ago. It handles high-resolution video for platforms like Twitter, Reels, and TikTok seamlessly, so you can upload your content once, perfect the caption for each network, and schedule it with confidence, knowing it will publish without glitches or compression issues from our end. It just works, so you can get back to creating.