How to create vertical AI videos for TikTok and Reels
VIDEO GENERATION 4 min Beginner
Generate 9:16 video clips optimized for short-form platforms with proper aspect ratio and export settings.
What you'll learn
- Set up 9:16 vertical aspect ratio for mobile platforms
- Write prompts optimized for vertical composition
- Export videos ready for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts
What are vertical videos?
Vertical videos use a 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels)—portrait orientation instead of landscape. This format fills smartphone screens edge-to-edge and dominates TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. AI video generators let you create vertical content without filming, rotating footage, or cropping horizontal videos. Think of it like designing for phone screens first, not TV screens.
Common use cases
- TikTok content: Native format for the platform; maximizes screen real estate
- Instagram Reels: Full-screen vertical videos that get priority in the feed
- YouTube Shorts: Compete with TikTok using the same vertical format
- Facebook and Snapchat Stories: Vertical content for story features
- Mobile ads: Full-screen mobile advertising that doesn't feel like ads
- Product demos: Show tall products or full-body shots without awkward framing
Create vertical videos step by step
STEP 1: Open AI video generator
- On web: Go to picsart.com/ai-video-generator → Click "Start creating"
- On mobile: Open Picsart → "+" → AI Generate → Video
STEP 2: Select 9:16 aspect ratio
Before writing your prompt, choose the vertical format:
- Aspect ratio dropdown: Select "9:16 (Vertical)" or "Portrait"
- Alternative: Some tools show platform presets like "TikTok" or "Reels" that auto-set 9:16
- Preview orientation: Confirm the preview frame is tall and narrow, not wide
STEP 3: Write vertical-friendly prompt
Describe your video with vertical composition in mind. Focus on subjects that work in tall frames: close-ups, full-body shots, or tall objects. Avoid wide landscapes or side-by-side subjects that need horizontal space. Example: "Close-up of a person's face looking up at camera, dramatic lighting, slow zoom out."
STEP 4: Generate and export
Check that your video fills the vertical frame properly:
Not working? Revise your prompt to focus on vertically-oriented subjects. Horizontal landscapes or wide scenes don't translate well to 9:16—pick subjects that naturally fit tall frames.
- Subject is centered and fills the frame without awkward cropping
- Important elements aren't cut off at top or bottom edges
- Resolution is 1080x1920 or higher for crisp mobile playback
Tips for best results
💡 Think in close-ups and portraits
Vertical format excels at faces, people, and tall objects. Prompts like "close-up of hands making coffee" or "full-body fashion model walking" work great. Wide shots of groups or landscapes feel cramped in 9:16.
💡 Use vertical camera movements
Describe camera motion that works vertically: "tilt up from feet to face," "slow push in on subject," or "top-down view." Avoid horizontal pans or wide tracking shots that need landscape orientation.
💡 Keep important elements in safe zones
Social platforms overlay UI elements (captions, buttons, profile pics) at top and bottom of vertical videos. Keep your main subject and text in the center third of the frame so nothing gets covered by platform interface.
Platform specifications
- TikTok: 9:16 aspect ratio, 1080x1920px minimum, up to 60 seconds (3 min for some accounts)
- Instagram Reels: 9:16 aspect ratio, 1080x1920px recommended, up to 90 seconds
- YouTube Shorts: 9:16 aspect ratio, 1080x1920px minimum, up to 60 seconds
- Snapchat Spotlight: 9:16 aspect ratio, 1080x1920px, up to 60 seconds
- Facebook Reels: 9:16 aspect ratio, 1080x1920px recommended, up to 90 seconds
- Pinterest Idea Pins: 9:16 aspect ratio, 1080x1920px, up to 60 seconds
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 9:16 and 16:9 videos? 9:16 is vertical (portrait) and fits smartphone screens held upright. 16:9 is horizontal (landscape) and fits TVs or computer monitors. The numbers describe width-to-height ratio: 9:16 is 9 units wide by 16 units tall (narrow and tall), while 16:9 is 16 units wide by 9 units tall (wide and short). Use 9:16 for mobile social platforms, 16:9 for YouTube or traditional video.
Can I convert horizontal AI videos to vertical? You can crop horizontal videos to vertical, but you'll lose a lot of content on the sides. AI video generators create compositions based on aspect ratio, so a 16:9 video won't have the right framing for 9:16. Always generate vertical content at 9:16 from the start for best results. Converting after generation means cutting away content that was meant to be visible.
Do vertical videos work on YouTube? Yes, but use YouTube Shorts for vertical content, not regular YouTube uploads. Shorts supports 9:16 videos up to 60 seconds. Regular YouTube videos display vertical content with black bars on the sides, wasting screen space. For videos longer than 60 seconds, stick with 16:9 horizontal format on standard YouTube.
What resolution should vertical videos be? Aim for 1080x1920 pixels minimum (1080p HD in vertical orientation). This is the standard for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. Higher resolutions like 1440x2560 or 2160x3840 work too, but most platforms compress to 1080p anyway. Avoid anything lower than 720x1280, which looks pixelated on modern phones.
Ready for mobile?
Create vertical videos that fill the screen on every platform.