LinkedIn is the platform most content creators prepare for last — and usually the one they prepare worst. Video uploaded in the wrong format, wrong aspect ratio, or without captions gets suppressed in the feed or plays poorly on mobile. Getting the format right is a five-minute job that meaningfully affects how many people see and engage with your video. Here’s exactly what you need for LinkedIn in 2026.
LinkedIn Video Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Requirement / Recommendation |
|---|---|
| File format | MP4 (strongly preferred), MOV accepted |
| Video codec | H.264 |
| Audio codec | AAC |
| Resolution | 256×144 minimum — 4096×2304 maximum; 1920×1080 recommended |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 (landscape), 1:1 (square), or 9:16 (vertical) |
| Frame rate | 10–60 fps; 24, 25, or 30 fps recommended |
| File size | Maximum 5 GB |
| Duration | 3 seconds minimum — 10 minutes maximum (feed posts); up to 15 minutes via desktop |
| Captions | SRT upload supported; strongly recommended |
The Right Format: MP4 with H.264
LinkedIn accepts both MP4 and MOV, but MP4 (H.264) is unambiguously the best choice. It processes faster after upload, plays reliably on all devices, and avoids the compatibility issues that MOV files can cause for Windows users viewing your content. If your video came from an iPhone or Mac and is currently a .mov file, convert it first using the free Format Converter before uploading. See the MOV to MP4 conversion guide for step-by-step instructions.
Aspect Ratio: Which Works Best on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn supports three aspect ratios, and the right choice depends on your content type and audience context:
16:9 Landscape
The standard for professional content — webinar clips, product demos, presentations, and repurposed YouTube content. It plays well on desktop where LinkedIn users consume the most video. If your source video was filmed for YouTube or a presentation, keep it at 16:9.
1:1 Square
Square occupies more vertical space in the LinkedIn feed on both mobile and desktop compared to 16:9, which means it’s harder for scrollers to skip past. For short talking-head clips, announcements, or repurposed content that doesn’t rely on wide framing, square often outperforms landscape on LinkedIn specifically. To convert a landscape source to square, see the aspect ratio conversion guide.
9:16 Vertical
LinkedIn added vertical video support as LinkedIn Stories evolved, but vertical content is less native to the platform culture than it is on TikTok or Instagram. Vertical works well for LinkedIn if your audience is primarily mobile, but it can feel out of place in a professional context for desktop viewers.
Captions Are Non-Negotiable on LinkedIn
LinkedIn autoplays videos silently in the feed. Research consistently shows that the majority of LinkedIn video views happen without sound — especially on mobile, in office environments, and during commutes. A video without captions loses most of its audience before the viewer ever unmutes.
LinkedIn supports SRT file uploads directly in the video post interface: after uploading your video, click “Add captions” and upload your .srt file. Alternatively, burn captions permanently into the video using the free Add Subtitles tool, which means captions display regardless of whether the platform renders the SRT correctly. For a primer on the SRT format and how to create one, see the SRT file format explained guide.
File Size and Duration: Practical Limits
LinkedIn’s 5 GB file size limit is generous enough that most videos won’t hit it. The practical issue is upload time on slower connections and the processing delay LinkedIn applies before a video goes live. Keeping your file under 500 MB for videos up to 5 minutes is a good target — use the free Video Compressor to reduce file size before uploading if needed.
LinkedIn Video Pre-Upload Checklist
- Format: MP4 — convert MOV first if needed (Format Converter)
- Resolution: 1920×1080 for 16:9; 1080×1080 for square; 1080×1920 for vertical
- Codec: H.264 video, AAC audio
- Duration: under 2 minutes for maximum engagement; hook in first 3 seconds
- File size: under 500 MB for uploads under 5 min; compress if needed (Video Compressor)
- Captions: SRT upload in LinkedIn UI, or burn in with Add Subtitles
- Thumbnail: extract a strong frame using Video Screenshot to set as custom thumbnail
Trimming and Compressing for LinkedIn
If your source video is longer than your intended LinkedIn clip, trim it first using the Video Trimmer before converting or compressing — working on a shorter clip throughout the workflow saves time and produces a smaller final file. For compression targets and settings, see the guide on compressing a video without losing quality.