How to Check Video Resolution and File Size
Find out a video's exact resolution, duration, format, and file size in seconds, on desktop, phone, or with a free in-browser metadata checker.
Before you upload, compress, or resize, it helps to know exactly what you are working with: the video's resolution, length, format, and file size. These numbers tell you whether a clip meets a platform's specs or needs adjusting.
This guide shows fast ways to check a video you own, including a free in-browser Metadata Checker.
What the numbers mean
- Resolution: pixel dimensions (e.g., 1080 × 1920); decides sharpness and shape.
- Duration: length in seconds; matters for platform limits.
- File size: storage in MB/GB; matters for sending and uploading.
- Format: container and codec (e.g., MP4 / H.264); decides compatibility.
Check on a computer
On Windows, right-click the file → Properties → Details. On macOS, select the file and press Command + I, or open it in QuickTime and view its inspector. Both show resolution, duration, and size.
Check on a phone
Most gallery apps show basic info (date, size, sometimes resolution) in a details or info panel. For full details without installing anything, use the browser tool below.
Use the in-browser checker
- Open the Metadata Checker.
- Select your video.
- Instantly see resolution, aspect ratio, duration, file size, and type.
It reads the file locally in your browser, nothing is uploaded.
Use the numbers to plan
Compare what you see to your target platform's specs. If the resolution is wrong, resize with the Video Resizer; if the file is too big, shrink it with the Video Compressor.
Understand bitrate and frame rate too
Resolution and file size tell most of the story, but two more numbers explain why a video looks the way it does. Bitrate is how much data is used per second, measured in Mbps; a higher bitrate generally means more detail and a larger file. Frame rate is how many frames play per second (commonly 24, 30, or 60 fps); it controls how smooth motion looks. Two clips at the same 1080 by 1920 resolution can differ wildly in quality if one has a much lower bitrate. When a video looks soft despite a high resolution, a low bitrate is usually the reason. The Metadata Checker surfaces these details so you are not guessing.
Quick aspect ratio math
Aspect ratio is just width divided by height, and you can read it straight off the resolution. Here are the ratios you will meet most:
| Resolution | Aspect ratio | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Reels, TikTok, Shorts |
| 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | Square feed posts |
| 1920 x 1080 | 16:9 | YouTube, landscape video |
| 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | Portrait feed posts |
If the ratio does not match your target, see the aspect ratio guide before resizing.
Troubleshooting confusing or wrong numbers
A few readings surprise people. If your phone shows a landscape clip as 1920 by 1080 but it plays vertically, the file carries a rotation flag that some property panels ignore; the in-browser checker reads the displayed orientation. If the file size seems huge for a short clip, the bitrate or frame rate is likely high, common with screen recordings and slow-motion. If two tools report slightly different durations, rounding and variable frame rate are usually the cause. When numbers disagree, trust the tool that reads the actual file rather than a cached thumbnail or a system preview.
Turn the numbers into the right next step
Checking is only useful if it changes what you do next. Use this quick map: wrong shape or dimensions, resize with the Video Resizer; file too large for the channel, shrink it with the Video Compressor; clip too long for a platform limit, trim before exporting; format incompatible, re-export to MP4 with H.264. Running this check before every upload takes seconds and prevents the two most common failures: a platform cropping your video unexpectedly, or an upload getting rejected outright.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a video's resolution?
Check the file's properties/info on your computer, or use the in-browser Metadata Checker, which shows resolution instantly.
How can I see a video's file size on my phone?
Most gallery apps show size in a details panel. The browser-based Metadata Checker shows size and resolution without installing anything.
What does 1080 × 1920 mean?
It is the resolution in pixels, 1080 wide by 1920 tall, a vertical 9:16 frame used for Reels, TikTok, and Shorts.
Does the checker upload my video?
No. It reads metadata locally in your browser, so your file stays on your device.
Why should I check before uploading?
Knowing the resolution, size, and format lets you confirm a clip meets platform specs and avoid surprise cropping or rejected uploads.
What is bitrate and why does it matter?
Bitrate is how much data a video uses per second, measured in Mbps. A higher bitrate usually means more detail and a larger file. A clip can look soft even at high resolution if its bitrate is low.
How do I work out a video's aspect ratio?
Divide the width by the height. For example, 1080 by 1920 is 9:16 (vertical), 1080 by 1080 is 1:1 (square), and 1920 by 1080 is 16:9 (landscape).
Why does my vertical video show as 1920 by 1080?
The file likely carries a rotation flag that some property panels ignore, so it lists the raw frame size. A tool that reads the displayed orientation, like the in-browser Metadata Checker, will show how it actually plays.