For TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, the practical delivery is a vertical 9:16 MP4 using H.264 video and AAC audio, most often at 1080×1920. In ReelWorkshop, choose that resolution on export after you have previewed a plan, keep or mute source audio deliberately, download the file, and verify playback locally before you schedule or upload.
Platform acceptance rules change. Treat the steps below as a stable production habit, and confirm current length, size, and codec rules on each network’s official help pages when something rejects.
Recommended export defaults
| Setting | Default choice | When to change |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 | Only if a destination explicitly wants another ratio |
| Resolution | 1080×1920 | Use 720×1280 for lighter files or slower uploads |
| Video codec | H.264 in MP4 | Do not switch unless a destination documents another requirement |
| Audio | AAC from source, or muted | Mute when you will add music in another app |
| Length | Match your previewed plan (60/75/90s) | Trim further if a network rejects duration |
Most short-form uploads expect full HD vertical. Drop to 720×1280 when file size or upload reliability is the bottleneck, not as a creative default.
Export steps in ReelWorkshop
- Finish the plan first
Import, trim, generate, and preview until the cut is the one you want. Export minutes are the scarce resource.
- Pick resolution and audio
Select 1080×1920 or 720×1280 and decide whether source audio stays or is muted for this render.
- Render in the browser
Rendering uses WebAssembly FFmpeg locally. Wait for completion; cancel or retry from the Exports page if needed.
- Download and play locally
Open the MP4 on your machine. Check framing, audio, and that the file is not truncated.
- Hand off to publish
Upload via native apps or a scheduler. ReelWorkshop does not publish for you.
QA checklist before TikTok / Reels / Shorts
- No watermark from another editor unless you intend it.
- Safe margins: faces and text not glued to the extreme edges.
- Audio not clipping; silence intentional if muted.
- Duration inside what you believe the destination currently allows.
- Filename readable so the right cut reaches the right caption in your scheduler.
Cross-posting one export
One clean 9:16 master can feed TikTok, Reels, and Shorts when the cut and audio rights fit all three. Still write separate captions and stagger publish times. If one network needs a different end card or cover, branch a second export rather than hoping the same file covers every marketing need.
- Export the master at 1080×1920.
- Caption per network in your scheduler or native drafts.
- Stagger times by several hours when audiences overlap.
- Re-export only when a platform-specific visual change is required.
When export fails or looks wrong
- Black frames or soft playback: re-download and compare file size to a known-good export; retry the render.
- Network rejection on upload: check official duration/size/codec docs, then re-export shorter or lighter if needed.
- Wrong aspect: confirm you selected a vertical resolution, not a landscape source left uncropped in an earlier tool.
- No audio: you may have muted on purpose — re-export with audio kept if that was a mistake.
What this page is not claiming
An export setting does not guarantee algorithmic distribution, monetization eligibility, or acceptance on every account type. ReelWorkshop produces a downloadable vertical MP4; each platform still applies its own rules. Prefer primary documentation over screenshots from random blogs when a file is rejected.
Is 1080×1920 required?
It is the usual best first export for Reels, TikTok, and Shorts. 720×1280 is a valid lighter alternative when you need it.
Does ReelWorkshop upload the MP4 for me?
No. Download the file, then use native upload or a scheduler.
H.264 or H.265?
ReelWorkshop exports H.264 MP4 for broad compatibility. Do not assume H.265 unless you have a specific pipeline that needs it.