The editor above is a 1080 × 1920 vertical canvas at 15 fps, which keeps a GIF manageable. For MP4 or WebM, a higher fps is fine.
How to use it in 3 steps
Use the vertical canvas
Keep 1080 × 1920 (9:16). TikTok recommends 9:16 vertical video.
Write a short line and keep it centered
Put the words in the middle of the frame, away from the edges, and choose a bold style.
Export for the destination
Use MP4 for upload. Use GIF only where a GIF is needed, at around 15 fps to keep it small.
Three tuning tips
Leave margins on every side
TikTok's UI sits over the video. Its ads help page says the safe zone depends on orientation, caption length, and added formats, and gives it only as downloadable files, with no pixel values. Download TikTok's template for the format you use, and until then keep text well inside the frame.
Stay vertical
TikTok lists vertical 9:16 as the recommended ratio, with 540 × 960 pixels as the minimum. 1080 × 1920 keeps headroom above that minimum.
Match fps to format
At 15 fps a 3-second loop is 45 frames, small enough for GIF. For MP4 or WebM, 24 or 30 fps is fine and looks smoother.
Vertical frame math for TikTok
A 3-second loop at 15 fps is N = round(3 × 15) = 45 frames. At 1080 × 1920, a frame is 2,073,600 pixels, 8,294,400 bytes raw, so 45 frames are about 373.2 MB before encoding. The default video bitrate is round(1080 × 1920 × 15 × 0.1) = 3,110,400 bits per second, so 3 seconds is about 1.17 MB. All sizes use decimal MB (1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes).
| Canvas | 1080 × 1920 px (2,073,600 pixels per frame) |
|---|---|
| Frames | N = 3 s × 15 fps = 45 |
| Raw frames before encoding | 45 × 1080 × 1920 × 4 bytes = 373 MB |
| MP4 / WebM upper estimate | 3.1 Mbps × 3 s ÷ 8 = 1.2 MB |
| GIF frame delay | 1/15 s is 6.67 centiseconds; GIF stores whole centiseconds, so delays alternate (7 and 6 cs) to average out |
Compare 30 fps: 90 frames, about 746.5 MB raw, default bitrate 6,220,800 bits per second, about 2.33 MB as video. Doubling fps doubles frames and, with this formula, the bitrate. That is why GIF uses 15 fps while MP4 and WebM can use more.
Official sizes: TikTok Ads Help, Video Ads Specifications (accessed 2026-11-12), lists vertical 9:16 as recommended at a minimum of 540 × 960 pixels, horizontal 16:9 at 960 × 540, and square 1:1 at 640 × 640. For the safe zone the page says it depends on orientation, caption length, and any additional formats, and points to downloadable safe-zone files. It does not give pixel values, so this site does not draw its own. The 1080 × 1920 canvas is this site's chosen size, above the documented minimum.
Sources
- TikTok Ads Help: Video Ads Specifications (accessed 2026-11-12)
Common mistakes
Text too close to the edges
TikTok's interface can cover edge areas. Center the words and leave margins.
A 30 fps, 6-second GIF at 1080 × 1920
That is 180 frames, about 1,493 MB raw. Use 15 fps, 3 seconds, or MP4.
Making a horizontal clip for a vertical feed
A 16:9 loop will be small on a vertical screen. Use 9:16.
Expecting a transparent MP4
MP4 flattens transparency onto a matte color. Use WebM or GIF if you need transparency.
Frequently asked questions
What size is animated text for TikTok?
Use 9:16 vertical. TikTok's ad specs recommend it at a minimum of 540 × 960; this editor starts at 1080 × 1920.
Where is the TikTok safe zone?
TikTok provides safe-zone files for download and says the zone depends on orientation, caption length, and added formats. It does not state pixel values on the specs page.
Should I export GIF or MP4 for TikTok?
MP4 for upload. GIF is for places that need a GIF, at around 15 fps.
Can I use more than 15 fps?
Yes. 15 fps keeps GIFs small, but MP4 and WebM handle 24 or 30 fps well.
Is it free?
Yes. No watermark, no account.
Is my text uploaded?
No. The preview and export run in your browser.