This guide is prepared by the BestAI Editorial Team. It explains recommended workflows, not guaranteed performance. Always review automated output before publishing.
Use 9:16 as the normal vertical canvas
A 9:16 frame fills a modern phone screen and is the standard starting point for Shorts. A common full-HD vertical export is 1080 by 1920 pixels. The exact encoder settings may vary, but the frame should remain sharp enough for text and faces.
Do not enlarge a small source excessively. Upscaling cannot recreate detail that was never captured, so prioritise a clean crop and readable design over artificial sharpness.
Choose crop mode by source type
A face-centred interview often works with Smart Crop or a fill crop. Screen recordings, group shots and wide demonstrations may lose important content when filled. In those cases, a contain layout, background blur or manually selected focus can preserve more information.
Review the entire clip because the important subject may move. A crop that is correct at the first frame can cut off a second speaker or product later.
Protect faces and text from interface overlays
Keep critical information away from the extreme top, bottom and right edge. Platform buttons, descriptions and captions can cover these areas. Place the main face and headline closer to the central visual zone.
When a source already contains text near the edges, consider scaling it down inside the vertical canvas rather than cropping through the words.
Check framing on real devices
Desktop previews do not show exactly how every phone or app version displays the Short. Export a short test, open it on a phone and check the first frame, subtitle area, lower controls and any call-to-action text.
Also check light and dark scenes. A composition may be technically inside the safe area but still hard to understand because the text blends into the background.
Keep a consistent framing rule across clips
When exporting several Shorts from one source, use a consistent face size, subtitle position and margin. Sudden changes between clips make the channel look less organised even when each video is individually acceptable.
Save a preset for repeated formats, then inspect each source before using it. Presets speed up work but should not replace a final visual check.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1080 by 1920 required for every Short?
It is a common full-HD vertical target, but source quality and encoder settings still affect the final result.
Should I always use Smart Crop?
No. Use it for a clear moving subject, and choose contain or manual focus when the frame contains several important elements.
Why is my text covered after upload?
Text placed near platform controls or edges may be obscured. Move important text toward the central safe area.