WaffleFrameHow to crop a video for Reels the right way
Choose Fill and a semi-transparent 9:16 frame appears over your video. Drag it left or right until your subject sits inside. The tool calculates the exact crop from your video's real resolution, so what you see is what you export.
Watch the whole clip before exporting: if your subject walks out of the frame halfway, a fixed crop will lose them. In that case, use Zoom or the blurred background style instead, or trim the clip with the Video Trimmer so it only covers the part where the subject stays put.
Instagram Reels size and safe zones
Reels are 9:16 at 1080×1920 and can be up to 3 minutes long. In the feed and on your profile grid, Instagram also shows a cropped preview, so keep the important part in the middle third of the frame.
- Leave the bottom 20% clear: the caption, audio label and buttons sit there.
- Keep faces in the upper-middle part of the frame.
- Choose your cover frame in Instagram after uploading.
Recommended vertical video sizes per platform
| Platform | Aspect ratio | Resolution | Max length |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | up to 3 minutes |
| TikTok | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | up to 10 minutes (upload) |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | up to 3 minutes |
| Facebook Reels | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | up to 90 seconds |
| Snapchat Spotlight | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | up to 60 seconds |
Platform limits change regularly — check the platform's help center for the latest values.
Who is this for?
YouTubers
Turn your best long-form moments into Shorts to reach new viewers.
Podcasters
Convert video podcast clips into vertical highlights for TikTok and Reels.
Gamers
Keep the full gameplay visible with a blurred background.
ASMR & satisfying creators
Zoom in on the action so every detail fills the screen.
Tips for best results
- Keep important text and faces in the center — platform buttons cover the bottom and right side of vertical videos.
- Use Fill only when the action stays in one area; otherwise use Zoom.
- Export at 1080×1920 — lower resolutions look blurry on modern phones.
- Shorter is better: clips of 15–30 seconds often get more replays.
- Add a title overlay in the first second so viewers know what they're watching.
- Don't upload the same clip to every platform at the exact same time; spread your posts.
Frequently asked questions
What size should I crop a video to for Reels?
Crop to a 9:16 aspect ratio and export at 1080×1920 pixels, which is what Instagram recommends for Reels. This tool always exports exactly that size, so you don't have to calculate anything — just place the crop frame over your subject and export.
Why does Instagram crop my Reel on the profile grid?
Instagram shows Reels in a taller-than-square preview on your profile grid, which cuts off part of the top and bottom of the 9:16 video. Keep your subject and any title text in the middle of the frame so both the full Reel and the grid preview look good.
Can I move the crop during the video?
Not yet — the crop position is fixed for the whole clip. If your subject moves around, either split the video into shorter clips with different crop positions, or use the Zoom or Blurred background style, which keep more of the original frame visible.
Will cropping reduce the quality of my Reel?
Cropping uses a vertical slice of your original video and scales it to 1080×1920. From a 1080p landscape source that slice is enlarged, so it looks slightly softer; from a 4K source it stays very sharp. Record in the highest resolution you can if you plan to crop.
