Quick reference

Story 1080×1920px

Snapchat Stories are 1080×1920 pixels in a 9:16 full-screen vertical format. All Snapchat content is designed for vertical, full-screen viewing — there's no landscape or square option for Stories. Images display for up to 10 seconds, and videos can be up to 60 seconds per snap.

Snapchat was the platform that popularized the 9:16 vertical full-screen format that Instagram Stories, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts later adopted. Every snap fills the entire phone screen, so there's no choice of aspect ratio — it's 9:16 or nothing. If you upload content that isn't 9:16, Snapchat will either letterbox it or crop it to fit.

Dimensions: 1080×1920
Aspect ratio: 9:16
Max file size: 5MB
Formats: JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV

Safe zone: Snapchat overlays the username and timestamp at the top and swipe-up/action elements at the bottom. Keep critical content at least 150px from the top and bottom edges.

Best practices

• Design at 1080×1920px — Snapchat is exclusively vertical. No landscape or square options.
• Keep text and key visuals at least 150px from the top and bottom edges to avoid UI overlaps.
• Image snaps max at 5MB. Use JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with text or transparency.

Spotlight 1080×1920px

Snapchat Spotlight videos are 1080×1920 pixels in a 9:16 vertical format. Spotlight is Snapchat's TikTok competitor — a feed of short-form vertical videos from the community. Videos can be up to 60 seconds long and are displayed in a full-screen, swipeable feed.

Spotlight is Snapchat's public-facing short video feed, similar to TikTok's For You page or Instagram's Reels tab. Unlike Stories (which go to friends), Spotlight is designed for broader discovery inside Snapchat.

Dimensions: 1080×1920
Aspect ratio: 9:16
Max file size: 32MB
Formats: MP4, MOV

Safe zone: Spotlight overlays the creator name at the top and action buttons (like, share, sound) on the right side and bottom. Keep key content centered.

Best practices

• Design at 1080×1920px (9:16) — same as all Snapchat content. Keep subjects centered.
• Aim for a concise format that communicates the idea quickly in a vertical, swipeable feed.
• Spotlight is public, unlike Stories — treat it like TikTok content for discovery.

Profile Picture 320×320px

Snapchat profile pictures are 320×320 pixels in a 1:1 square format, displayed as circles. However, most Snapchat users use a Bitmoji avatar instead of a traditional photo. You can set a custom profile picture by tapping your Bitmoji/avatar on the profile screen and selecting a photo from your camera roll.

Snapchat's profile picture system is unique among social platforms. By default, your profile shows your Bitmoji (Snapchat's personalized cartoon avatar) rather than a traditional photo. You can override this with a custom photo, but the Bitmoji remains the dominant convention on the platform.

Dimensions: 320×320
Aspect ratio: 1:1
Max file size: 5MB
Formats: JPG, PNG

Best practices

• Upload at 320×320px — displayed as a circle, so design within a circular safe zone.
• Most Snapchat users use Bitmoji instead of photos — brands should use a custom logo for recognition.
• The profile picture appears in Spotlight credits and story attribution — keep it recognizable at small sizes.

Frequently asked questions

What size is Snapchat content?
Almost everything on Snapchat is 1080×1920 pixels (9:16 vertical) — Stories, ads, Spotlight, and filters. The only exception is profile pictures at 320×320 (1:1).

Does Snapchat support landscape or square content?
No. Snapchat is exclusively vertical (9:16). Non-vertical content will be letterboxed or cropped to fit the full-screen format.

What video format does Snapchat require?
MP4 or MOV with H.264 video codec and AAC audio at 128kbps minimum stereo. For ads, audio is required (not optional like some other platforms). Maximum file size is 32MB or less for best results.

What is the Snapchat ad safe zone?
Snapchat ads have a tighter safe zone than organic content. The brand name and headline overlay the top, and the CTA button covers the bottom ~300px. Keep key creative in the center two-thirds of the 1080×1920 canvas.