New news: X is TV now. Make your first second count.

X (formerly Twitter) has gone video-first. With a TikTok-style Video Tab that swipes through vertical clips, discovery now favors native uploads—not links. In other words, if you want reach, video is no longer optional.

This guide shows you how to post video on Twitter the right way—covering current specs, a fast mobile workflow, and the discovery signals that lift your clips in the Video Tab. To show up there, build every clip with:

  • ✅ 9:16 vertical framing that fills the screen

  • ✅ An immediate first-second hook (motion + a 6–8-word line)

  • ✅ Clear, readable captions

You’ll also see when to post and how to repurpose Reels/TikTok/Shorts without watermarks.

Short on time? Instead of posting manually, keep your schedule humming with dlvr.it—connect Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more once, then publish to X automatically. For more playbooks, see How to Post on LinkedIn, How to Post Video on Bluesky, and our roundup of alternative short-form video platforms.

Can You Post Video on Twitter / X? ✅

Absolutely. X supports native video—from short clips to long-form (for Premium) and even live. What’s different now is discovery: with the Video Tab, videos can travel beyond followers into a swipeable, full-screen feed. So, native uploads matter more than ever.

How to Post Videos on Twitter: Meet the Video Tab (Discovery) 🔎

It lives in the bottom nav (▶️). From there, you enter a vertical, swipeable feed built for fast engagement.

Timeline vs. Video Tab

Feature Timeline / Main Feed Video Tab (Discovery)
Autoplay Auto, usually muted Auto, immersive
Sound Tap to unmute Designed for quick audio hooks
Format Mixed (text • image • video) Full-screen vertical (9:16)

Why it matters

  • Go vertical (9:16) → fills the screen, raises retention, reduces swipes.

  • Win the first second → a clear hook boosts 3-second hold and signals quality to the Video Tab (more distribution).

  • Use 2–3 hashtags & live trends → adds search/trending surfaces and earns incremental impressions beyond followers.

  • Add clear captions → sound-off friendly, improves comprehension and completion rate.

What moves what (quick reference)

Tactic Why it matters KPI it moves
9:16 vertical Full-screen real estate → fewer swipes Retention / Avg watch time
First-second hook Higher 3s hold → stronger ranking signal 3s hold / Reach
Hashtags & trends Extra discovery surfaces (search/trending) Impressions / New viewers
Clear captions Sound-off friendly → more completes Completion rate / Replays

Nail the First Second (the Hook) ⏱️

A strong first second is a clear, immediate visual + audio hook that stops the scroll. In practice, show motion right away, put the subject in frame, add a 6–8-word on-screen line, and start voice or SFX at frame zero.

Quick checklist

→ First, open with action (cut, gesture, reveal, zoom).

→ Next, add a short, readable headline on screen.

→ Then, speak immediately or use a distinct sound cue.

→ Finally, frame tight in 9:16 and keep contrast high.

Avoid

  • Logo bumpers or long fades.

  • Wide clips with black bars.

  • Tiny overlay text.

  • Music-only cold opens.

Hook templates

  • “Your X videos die at 3s? Try this.”

  • “3 ways to boost watch time on X.”

  • “Don’t post that wide clip. Do this instead.”

  • “Before 👇 … After 👆 — here’s the change.”

  • “In 5 seconds, fix your captions. 5…4…”

Micro-scripts (first second)

  • “Stop scrolling—this 10-second edit doubles watch time.”

  • “Native 9:16 beats links. Here’s why.”

  • “Hook first, then proof—watch.”

How to Post Video on Twitter: Video Specs (2025) 🧰

Before you upload, make sure your files match the basics.

General upload (all video posts)

  • File: .MP4 or .MOV

  • Video codec: H.264, YUV 4:2:0

  • Audio: AAC LC (mono/stereo)

  • Resolution: Landscape 1280×720 · Portrait 720×1280 (best 1080×1920) · Square 720×720

  • Aspect ratio: 1:3 to 3:1 supported

  • Frame rate: up to 60 FPS

  • Duration: Standard 0.5s–2:20 · Premium up to ~2 hours, ≤ 16 GB

  • Looping: clips <60s typically loop

For the Video Tab (discovery)

  • Orientation: 9:16 vertical (full-screen)

  • Resolution: 1080×1920 recommended

  • Length: ≤60s tends to perform best

  • Captions: essential

  • Eligibility: native uploads (external links aren’t surfaced here)

  • Hooks: front-load the visual + audio payoff

Twitter video size (quick reference)

  • 9:16 vertical (best): 1080×1920

  • Vertical minimum: 720×1280

  • Landscape: 1280×720

  • Square: 720×720

  • Frame rate: up to 60 FPS

✳️ Heads up: specs evolve—double-check in-app before big uploads.

How to Post a Video on X (Mobile) 📲

Here’s how to post video on Twitter from your phone, step by step.

To begin, open the app and prep your clip.

  1. Open X (iOS/Android).

  2. Tap + to compose.

  3. Tap the media icon.

  4. Select a clip (or record in-app).

  5. Edit (trim, crop, add captions).

  6. Write post text (hook + hashtags + mentions).

  7. Preview the post.

  8. Post—or schedule with X Pro if available.

Pro move: Thread a short follow-up under the video to boost context and watch time.

Post Video on Twitter Natively vs. Linking 🔗

Method Benefits Trade-offs Best for
Native upload Autoplay; favored in-feed; eligible for Video Tab; higher engagement Must meet X specs; manual upload Max reach & engagement on X
Link (YouTube/Vimeo) Builds subs/views off-platform No autoplay; lower engagement; not in Video Tab Traffic or conversion campaigns

In short, if discovery on X is the goal, choose native. Otherwise, use links when your primary objective is off-platform traffic or subscriptions.

Cross-Post Your Short-Form to X (the easy way) ♻️

You already make TikToks, Reels, and Shorts—so give them a second life on X.

Why cross-post

  • For starters, reach new audiences (X ≠ TikTok/IG/YouTube).

  • Plus, tap real-time conversations (hashtags & trends).

  • Also, extend shelf life for proven clips.

  • Lastly, keep a consistent brand voice across platforms.

Make it effortless

Use dlvr.it to auto-publish from Instagram/TikTok/YouTube (and more) to X across 20+ networks—no extra busywork. That way, you’ll stay consistent without adding hours. This workflow is a practical answer to how to post video on Twitter consistently.

Hygiene checklist

  • Remove other-platform watermarks.

  • Add clean SRT captions.

  • Tailor the first line for X.

  • Use 2–3 relevant hashtags.

  • Match the CTA to X behavior (reply, repost, click).

Best Time to Post Video on (Twitter) X 🕘

When: Generally, early mornings and early evenings work best (local to your audience).

Cadence: Aim for 1–3 videos/week.

Boosts: Pair the upload with a short thread, poll, or quote-tweet for context.

After two to three weeks of testing, review analytics and lean into windows that hold viewers past the first three seconds. From there, iterate your hooks and captions.

Helpful companion posts:

Copy & Caption Helpers for Twitter Video ✍️

5 starter hooks

“POV: You’ve got 5 seconds to fix this…”

“Three mistakes we see on X videos (and quick fixes) 👇”

“Before you post today, try this 10-second edit…”

“Real talk: This is why your watch time drops at 3s.”

“Steal this format for your next product teaser:”

CTA ideas

“Reply with a ‘🎥’ and I’ll DM the checklist.”

“Want the template? Comment ‘TEMPLATE’.”

“Full tutorial in the thread ⤵︎”

FAQs: How to Post Video on Twitter ❓

How to post videos on Twitter?
Upload natively, use 9:16 vertical, open with a first-second hook, and add captions. That combo boosts watch time and discovery in the Video Tab.

Video for Twitter: what works best?
Short, vertical clips (≤60s) with an immediate visual/audio hook, bold on-screen text (6–8 words), and readable captions.

Twitter video size—what should I use?
Best: 1080×1920 (9:16). Minimum vertical: 720×1280. Landscape: 1280×720. Up to 60 FPS; Premium allows longer videos (file ≤16 GB).

What’s the easiest way to upload a video on Twitter?
Open X → + → media icon → pick/record clip → trim/crop/add captions → write hook + hashtags → preview → Post (or schedule with X Pro).

Best ways to share a video on Twitter
Repost it, quote-tweet with context, copy the tweet link, or send via DM. For reach, prioritize native video over external links.

Key Takeaways & Next Steps 🎬

  • X is video-first—the Video Tab is your discovery engine.

  • Upload natively for autoplay + eligibility; reserve link posts for traffic goals.

  • Win the first second: vertical 9:16, bold opening visual, clear captions.

  • Keep it tight: aim ≤60s for discovery; 1080×1920, H.264 + AAC.

  • Post with purpose: 1–3 videos/week; add 2–3 relevant hashtags; thread or poll for context.

  • Measure what matters: watch time, completion rate, and ER = (likes + reposts + replies) ÷ views.

7-Day Action Plan ✅

Day Focus What to do Pro tip
1 Audit & select Review your last 10 clips and pick 3 winners. Note what worked (hook, topic, pacing). Snapshot 3s hold, completion, and ER to compare later.
2 Recut to 9:16 Convert each clip to vertical 9:16 and remove any platform watermarks. Frame the subject in the top/middle third to avoid UI overlap.
3 Hook & captions Sharpen the opening second and add clean SRT captions. Front-load the payoff: problem → promise → visual proof within 1–2s.
4 Schedule Queue posts to X (and other channels) for your best windows. Automate cross-posting with dlvr.it to keep cadence steady.
5 Publish & engage Publish and reply to early comments within 10 minutes. Pin a clarifying reply or add a quick poll to spark conversation.
6 Thread follow-up Add a short thread (tips, BTS, or a mini case study) under the video. Use one post for FAQs and another for a simple CTA.
7 Review & iterate Check analytics and double down on clips that held viewers past 3s. Track ER = (likes + reposts + replies) ÷ views week over week.

Bottom line: If you’re still asking how to post video on Twitter in 2025, the answer is simple: go native, go vertical, and hook fast.

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