Threads Video Length Limit 2026 Guide

The Threads video length limit is 5 minutes per post, whether you upload from a mobile device or desktop. That is the maximum allowed, not a target: content that performs best on Threads tends to sit in the 15 second to 1 minute range, since completion rate matters more to the app's ranking than raw watch time, and longer videos see a sharp drop-off in how many viewers stick around to the end.

Why 5 minutes is the ceiling, not the goal

Threads ranks content partly on how much of a video people actually finish watching, not just how long the video is or how many total minutes get watched across all viewers. A 5 minute video that most people abandon at 45 seconds performs worse in that system than a 45 second video most people watch all the way through. Posting at the maximum length usually works against you unless the content genuinely needs the extra time.

Format and file size

Threads recommends MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio at 48kHz. While the platform can technically accept larger files, targeting under roughly 200MB for a 1080p export at a standard bitrate keeps uploads reliable, especially on mobile connections where a large file is more likely to fail or time out mid-upload.

Dimensions

Threads video defaults to 1080x1920 (9:16 vertical), the same standard used across Instagram and Facebook Reels. Full details are in the Threads video dimensions guide.

Quick reference

Spec	Value
Max length	5 minutes
Best performing length	15 seconds to 1 minute
Recommended dimensions	1080x1920 (9:16)
Format	MP4, H.264, AAC

Uploading from mobile vs. desktop

Meta's help documentation does not list a separate duration cap for mobile versus desktop uploads on Threads, unlike LinkedIn, which historically split its limits by device. Whichever device you use to post, the same 5 minute ceiling applies, which simplifies planning if your team drafts on desktop but a team member ends up publishing from a phone.

How Threads compares to its Meta siblings

Threads' 5 minute cap sits above Instagram Reels, which still nudges creators toward much shorter clips through its own ranking behavior, and it is notably more generous than Bluesky's 3 minute limit or X's 2 minute 20 second cap for non-paying accounts. That extra room is there if you need it for a genuine explainer or a multi-part thought, but the same completion-rate logic that governs every short-form feed today still rewards using less of it than you technically can.

Planning video length for Threads

If you have a longer piece of content, consider cutting it into a short highlight for Threads and linking or referencing the fuller version elsewhere, rather than posting the full 5 minute cut and hoping people watch through. Schedule your Threads video posts through the Threads scheduler, and check your caption against the Threads character counter before publishing. Sign up free to manage Threads alongside nine other platforms from one dashboard.