How Long Can a TikTok Be? Complete Length Guide (2026)
TikTok's maximum video length has grown from 15 seconds to 60 minutes. This guide covers every current limit, the ideal length for engagement by niche, and a full timeline of how TikTok's duration rules have changed.
FlowShorts Team
TL;DR — TikTok Video Length Limits (2026)
- In-app recording: Up to 10 minutes
- Uploaded video: Up to 60 minutes
- Minimum length: 3 seconds
- Sweet spot for engagement: 21–34 seconds (short-form) or 1–3 minutes (storytelling)
- Monetization minimum: 1 minute (Creator Rewards Program)
How long can a TikTok be? In 2026, TikTok videos can range from 3 seconds up to 60 minutes — but the maximum depends on how you create the video. Record in-app and you're capped at 10 minutes. Upload a pre-recorded file and you can go up to a full hour.
This guide covers every TikTok video length limit currently in effect, the ideal duration for different content types, a full history of how these limits changed, and what the engagement data actually says about which lengths perform best.
Here's what you'll learn:
- Exact length limits by creation method
- The best TikTok length for engagement (with data)
- How length limits have evolved since 2016
- Ideal duration by niche and content type
- File size limits for mobile and desktop uploads
TikTok Video Length Limits by Content Type
The TikTok length limit isn't a single number — it depends on how you create and upload your video. Here's the full breakdown:
| Creation Method | Maximum Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Record in-app | 10 minutes | Using TikTok's built-in camera |
| Upload from device | 60 minutes | Pre-recorded video from camera roll |
| TikTok Stories | 15 seconds | Disappear after 24 hours |
| TikTok LIVE | No fixed limit | Requires 1,000+ followers to go live |
| Photo Mode / Carousel | Up to 35 photos | Each photo displays for adjustable duration |
| With licensed sound | Length of the sound | Video is capped to the sound's duration |
The minimum TikTok video duration is 3 seconds. Anything shorter may be flagged as low-quality content per TikTok's Community Guidelines.
Best TikTok Video Length for Engagement
Just because TikTok allows 60-minute videos doesn't mean longer is better. The platform's algorithm rewards completion rate and total watch time — and these metrics favor different lengths depending on your content.
The Data: Short-Form Still Wins
According to engagement data from SocialRails and Socialinsider's 2025 benchmarks, videos between 21 and 34 seconds generate the highest completion rates and are most likely to land on the For You Page (FYP). This range gives you enough time to deliver a complete idea while maintaining the rapid pacing TikTok users expect.
But completion rate isn't the only factor. TikTok also weighs total watch time. A 60-second video with 60% completion (36 seconds watched) can outperform a 15-second video with 90% completion (13.5 seconds watched) because the algorithm sees more total engagement.
Key insight: The best TikTok video length is the shortest length that fully delivers your message. Cut the moment the value is delivered — don't pad for length.
Engagement by Video Length
| Length Range | Completion Rate | Algorithm Boost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–15 seconds | Very high | Moderate (low total watch time) | Memes, hooks, teaser clips |
| 15–34 seconds | High | Highest | Trends, quick tips, reactions |
| 34–60 seconds | Medium-high | High | Tutorials, product demos |
| 1–3 minutes | Medium | High (if retention stays above 50%) | Storytelling, mini-vlogs, explainers |
| 3–10 minutes | Low-medium | Variable | Deep tutorials, reviews, podcasts |
Creators who post a variety of lengths see 35% higher overall engagement than those who stick to one format, according to Sprout Social's 2025 analysis. Mix short hooks with longer storytelling for the best results.
Ideal TikTok Video Length by Niche
The right TikTok max length for your content depends heavily on your niche. Here's what performs best in each category:
| Niche / Content Type | Ideal Length | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Comedy & Entertainment | 15–30 seconds | Punchline delivery needs to be fast; rewatches boost the algorithm |
| Dance & Music | 15–30 seconds | Matches typical song clip length; easy to loop |
| Quick Tips & Life Hacks | 21–45 seconds | One tip per video with a clear before/after |
| Educational / How-To | 45 seconds – 3 minutes | Complex topics need more time; TikTok now promotes educational content |
| Storytelling & Storytime | 1–3 minutes | Narrative arcs need buildup; these generate high comment engagement |
| Product Reviews | 30–90 seconds | Show the product, give the verdict, include a CTA |
| Cooking & Recipes | 45–90 seconds | Fast-cut recipe videos with visible steps |
| Fitness & Workouts | 30–60 seconds | Demonstrate one exercise or quick routine |
| ASMR & Satisfying | 30–60 seconds | Long enough to create immersion, short enough for loops |
History of TikTok Video Length Changes
TikTok's maximum video length has increased by 240× since the platform launched. Here's the full timeline:
| Year | Max Length | What Changed |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 15 seconds | Musical.ly (TikTok's predecessor) launches with 15-second lip-sync clips |
| 2017 | 60 seconds | Limit expanded to 1 minute; app surpasses 300 million users |
| 2018 | 60 seconds | Musical.ly merges into TikTok; same length limits carry over |
| July 2021 | 3 minutes | First major extension; TikTok hits 1 billion users the same year |
| Early 2022 | 10 minutes | In-app recording expanded to compete with YouTube |
| 2024 | 30 minutes (testing) | Select creators can upload 30–60 minute videos; TikTok reports users spend 50% of time watching 1-minute+ content |
| 2025–2026 | 60 minutes (upload) | Full rollout of 60-minute upload limit; in-app recording stays at 10 minutes |
The trend is clear: TikTok wants longer content to increase total time-on-platform and compete with YouTube. But creator data consistently shows that shorter videos still outperform longer ones in terms of per-video reach and virality.
TikTok File Size Limits
The TikTok video duration limit isn't the only constraint — file size matters too. Here are the current caps:
| Platform | Max File Size |
|---|---|
| iOS (iPhone/iPad) | 287.6 MB |
| Android | 72 MB |
| Desktop / Web | 500 MB (standard), up to 10 GB (some accounts) |
If you're uploading longer videos (5+ minutes), use the desktop web uploader to avoid the tighter mobile file size limits. Export at 1080 × 1920 resolution with H.264 encoding to keep file sizes manageable.
Length Requirements for TikTok Monetization
If you're creating TikToks to earn money through the Creator Rewards Program (formerly Creativity Program Beta), video length directly affects your eligibility:
- Minimum 1 minute: Only videos over 60 seconds qualify for monetization through Creator Rewards
- Longer videos earn more: Revenue is based on qualified views, and longer watch sessions generate higher RPM (revenue per mille)
- Original content only: Videos must be original and meet TikTok's content requirements
This creates an interesting tension: shorter videos get more reach, but only longer videos (1+ minute) generate direct revenue. Many creators use a hybrid strategy — short viral clips to grow their audience, and 1–3 minute original content to monetize.
Tools for Creating the Right-Length TikToks
FlowShorts — AI TikTok Video Generator
FlowShorts generates TikTok-ready videos from a text prompt at the correct dimensions (1080 × 1920) and optimized length. The AI automatically paces content to hit the engagement sweet spot, and it can auto-post directly to TikTok on your schedule.
Pair it with the Video Script Generator to write scripts calibrated to specific durations, or use the Video Hook Generator to create attention-grabbing openings that reduce swipe-away rates in the first 3 seconds.
Other Tools
- CapCut: TikTok's own editing app with duration timers and auto-captions
- InShot: Mobile editor with easy trim-to-length features
- TikTok's built-in editor: Includes a timer, trim tool, and clip splitting
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a TikTok be in 2026?
In 2026, TikTok videos can be up to 10 minutes when recorded in-app, or up to 60 minutes when uploading a pre-recorded video from your device. The minimum length is 3 seconds.
What is the best length for a TikTok video?
For maximum engagement and FYP reach, 21–34 seconds is the sweet spot. For storytelling or educational content, 1–3 minutes works well if you can maintain viewer retention above 50%. The algorithm rewards completion rate and total watch time, not a specific duration.
Can TikTok videos be longer than 10 minutes?
Yes — but only if you upload a pre-recorded video. Videos recorded using TikTok's in-app camera are limited to 10 minutes. Uploaded videos can be up to 60 minutes long. Not all accounts may have access to the full 60-minute limit yet, as TikTok rolls features out gradually.
How long does a TikTok need to be for monetization?
TikTok's Creator Rewards Program requires videos to be at least 1 minute long to qualify for monetization. Videos must also be original content that meets TikTok's quality and community guidelines.
Why are my longer TikToks getting fewer views?
Longer videos tend to have lower completion rates, which is a key algorithm signal. If viewers swipe away at the 30-second mark on a 5-minute video, TikTok interprets that as low engagement. Either shorten the video to where viewers naturally drop off, or improve your hook and pacing to maintain retention throughout.
Does TikTok penalize short videos?
No — TikTok doesn't penalize short videos. In fact, videos under 34 seconds often outperform longer content in terms of reach and virality. The only disadvantage is that very short videos (under 15 seconds) generate less total watch time per view, which can slightly reduce algorithmic promotion compared to a 30-second video with similar completion rates.
Create TikToks at the Perfect Length
The TikTok video length limit is generous — up to 60 minutes for uploads — but the engagement data is clear: shorter, tighter videos consistently outperform longer ones for reach and virality. Aim for 21–34 seconds for trend-based content, and 1–3 minutes when you have a story to tell or need the length for monetization.
If you want to skip the guesswork, FlowShorts generates TikToks at optimized lengths with AI-paced scripts, voiceover, and auto-posting built in.
Related guides: Video Script Generator · Video Hook Generator · TikTok Video Generator