Pinterest video specs
Published 28 September 2026. Every figure checked against Pinterest's own help and business help pages on 28 September 2026; Pinterest changes these, so follow the links in Sources before you rely on one.
Short answer: make Pinterest videos vertical, 9:16 at 1080 × 1920, which Pinterest recommends. Video Pins can run from 4 seconds to 5 minutes, and video ads from 4 seconds to 15 minutes, up to 2 GB, though Pinterest recommends 6 to 15 seconds for ads. Pinterest publishes a safe zone for Pins in pixels, and video ads play in the feed without sound, so the words on screen have to carry it.
| Spec | Video Pin (organic) | Standard-width video ad |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 recommended; 1:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5 or 1:1 also | Between 1:2 and 1.91:1; square or vertical (2:3, 4:5, 9:16) recommended |
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 recommended | Not published |
| Length | 4 seconds to 5 minutes | 4 seconds to 15 minutes; 6 to 15 seconds recommended |
| File | .mp4 or .m4v on the web; .mp4, .mov or .m4v in the apps; H.264 or H.265; size not published | .mp4, .mov or .m4v; H.264 or H.265; up to 2 GB |
| Frame rate | Not published | Not published |
| Safe zone | 270 px top, 65 px left, 195 px right, 790 px bottom | Not published |
| Sound | Not published | Plays in the feed without audio |
How long can a Pinterest video be?
Pinterest's Pin specs say video Pins can be a minimum of 4 seconds and a maximum of 5 minutes. Its ad specs allow standard-width and max-width video ads from 4 seconds to 15 minutes, and recommend 6 to 15 seconds for video ads. Idea ads can run to 5 minutes. So how long should yours be? For a launch we'd keep it to 15 seconds, which sits inside Pinterest's own advice for ads. A short loop that shows the result says more than a long explainer.
Size, shape and file
For Pins, Pinterest recommends a 9:16 ratio or 1080 × 1920 pixels, with 1:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5 and 1:1 as other options. Files are .mp4 or .m4v on the web, and .mp4, .mov or .m4v in the Android and iOS apps, encoded H.264 or H.265. The size limits on that page are for image Pins only. Standard-width video ads are looser. The ratio must be shorter than 1:2 and taller than 1.91:1, square or vertical is recommended, and files can be up to 2 GB. Max-width video ads, which are paid only, can't be taller than square.
Safe zones
Of the platforms we cover, Pinterest is the only one to give its safe zone in pixels. For Pins it says to keep key content out of the top 270 pixels, the left 65, the right 195 and the bottom 790. That's a lot of bottom: on a 1080 × 1920 frame it leaves a middle roughly 820 pixels wide by 860 tall (less than half the frame's height). For Idea ads the bottom margin is 440 pixels instead. It doesn't publish one for standard-width or max-width video ads.
Where the official pages are vague
- File size for video Pins isn't published; the sizes on the Pin specs page are for images.
- Frame rate isn't given for Pins or ads.
- The bottom safe zone is 790 pixels for Pins but 440 for Idea ads, and none is published for standard or max-width video ads.
- Maximum length is 5 minutes for Pins and Idea ads but 15 minutes for standard and max-width video ads.
How Launch Video Maker's formats map to Pinterest
Our vertical format is 9:16 at 1080 × 1920, exported as MP4 (H.264 video, AAC audio) at 30 frames per second, which is the shape and size Pinterest recommends. Every reel is checked so its essential words sit inside a safe area of 60 pixels on the left, 120 on the right, 220 at the top and 360 at the bottom. Pinterest's Pin margins are bigger, especially at the bottom. So for a Pin, check that your headline and web address sit high enough in the frame, and if they don't, ask for that as one of your free edits. Our 4:5 feed cut, in the Bundle, is also one of Pinterest's accepted shapes.
A 15-second vertical reel is the Short, £9. The Bundle (£49) adds 4:5 and 16:9 cuts.
Questions
- How long can a Pinterest video be?
- Video Pins can be 4 seconds to 5 minutes. Standard and max-width video ads can be 4 seconds to 15 minutes, and Pinterest recommends 6 to 15 seconds for ads.
- What size should a Pinterest video be?
- Pinterest recommends 9:16, or 1080 × 1920 pixels, for Pins, and accepts 1:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:5 and 1:1 too.
- What is the Pinterest video safe zone?
- For Pins, Pinterest says to keep key content out of the top 270 pixels, left 65, right 195 and bottom 790. Idea ads use a 440-pixel bottom margin.
- Do Pinterest video ads play with sound?
- Pinterest says video ads play in the feed without audio, so make sure the video works silently.
Sources
All checked on 28 September 2026.
- Pinterest Help: Review Pin specs (video Pin types, encoding, length, ratios, safe zone)
- Pinterest Business Help: Review ad specs (standard and max-width video ads, Idea ads)
- Pinterest Business Help: Video ads (plays in feed without audio)