TOOL HUNTER
Ever found yourself in the middle of recording something hilarious on Snapchat, only to have it cut off way too soon? You’re not alone. Figuring out how long can a Snapchat video be is one of those things that can totally change how you use the app. Whether you’re just goofing around with friends or trying to build a following, knowing the limits helps you tell your story without annoying interruptions.
Snapchat is all about sharing moments—funny, spontaneous, or just everyday stuff. You can send disappearing photos and videos, chat with friends, follow celebrities, or even promote a brand. But no matter what you’re doing, video length matters. You don’t want to run out of time right when things are getting good, right?
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything about Snapchat video lengths—from regular Snaps and Stories to Ads and Lenses. Plus, we’ll share some tips on how to make your videos pop, even with time limits. Let’s jump in!
Snapchat Video Lengths for Different Content Types
Snapchat isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on what you’re creating, the app sets different maximum durations. That’s actually helpful—it means you always know how much time you’ve got to work with. Here’s a full breakdown.
How Long Can a Snap Be?
A Snap—whether you’re sending it directly to a friend or adding it to your Story—can be up to 60 seconds long. That’s a full minute to capture whatever’s happening: your dog doing something silly, your friend’s reaction to a surprise, or just you saying hello. It’s short enough to keep things interesting but long enough to actually say something.
So if you’ve been asking, “How long can a Snapchat video be when I’m just messing around?”—now you know. 60 seconds. Perfect for everyday moments.
How Long Can a Story Video Be?
Snapchat Stories stick around for 24 hours, and yeah, they also max out at 60 seconds. The cool part? You can post multiple Snaps throughout the day to create a longer narrative. Some people treat their Story like a mini-documentary of their day—breakfast, commute, lunch, something funny that happened… you get the idea.
Even though you’ve got a full minute, it’s smart to keep Stories engaging. No one wants to watch someone talk for 60 seconds straight without something interesting happening!
How Long Can a Chat Video Be?
When you’re in a Chat and decide to send a video instead of typing, you’ve got the same 60-second limit. It’s perfect for those times when typing “how was your day” feels too boring, and you’d rather just show them.
This Snapchat video limit keeps conversations flowing quickly and personally. No one’s going to send a 10-minute monologue (thankfully).
How Long Can an Ad Video Be?
Snapchat Ads are a different beast. If you’re promoting something—a product, an event, your artwork—your video can only be between 3 to 10 seconds. That’s not a lot of time! But it makes sense. People scroll fast, so ads need to grab attention immediately.
That means every second counts. Bright visuals, clear text, a strong call-to-action—you’ve got to make it impactful fast.
How Long Can a Lenses or Filters Video Be?
Lenses and Filters are where Snapchat gets really fun. Augmented reality puppy ears, face swaps, rainbow puke—you name it. Videos using these can be between 10 and 15 seconds. It’s short, yes, but it’s meant to be playful and quick. Perfect for when you’re just trying to make people laugh.
Other Snapchat Video Limits You Should Know
It’s not just about duration. There are other rules—some technical, some about content—that help keep Snapchat a fun and functional place.
- File Size: Your video can’t be larger than 1GB. If you’re recording in high quality, you might hit this faster than you think.
- Resolution: 1080×1920 pixels is ideal. This is vertical video territory, which looks best on phones.
- Audio: Don’t use copyrighted music without permission. Snapchat might mute your video or take it down.
- Content: No explicit or offensive material. Keep it friendly and follow community guidelines.
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 is the way to go. It fits phone screens perfectly without weird cropping or black bars.
So beyond asking “how long can an Snapchat video be,” it’s good to keep these in mind too.
How to Send Long Videos on Snapchat
A while back, you could only record in 10-second chunks. Thankfully, that’s changed. Now, you can record up to 60 seconds in one go. Snapchat will automatically split it into 10-second segments that play seamlessly one after the other.
Here’s how:
- Update your Snapchat app to the latest version.
- Open the app and hold down the capture button. Don’t let go after 10 seconds—keep holding until you’re done (up to 60 seconds).
- Once recorded, you can add text, stickers, or emojis before sharing.
This is super handy for when you’re telling a short story or showing something that needs more than a few seconds.
Editing Your Snapchat Videos with CapCut
Knowing how long can a Snapchat video be is one thing—making those seconds look amazing is another. That’s where CapCut comes in. It’s a free desktop video editor that’s perfect for polishing your Snapchat content, especially since it handles vertical video like a pro.
Whether you’re cutting down a longer clip, adding music, or just making the colors pop, CapCut’s tools are both powerful and easy to use.
Key Features of CapCut
- Auto Reframe: Automatically keeps the subject centered. Great if you shot something horizontal but need it vertical.
- AI Voice Enhancer: Reduces background noise and makes speech clearer.
- AI Font Generator: Creates cool text overlays that match your video’s mood.
- Long to Short Video Conversion: Trims long videos into Snapchat-friendly chunks.
- One-Click Resize: Formats your video to 9:16 aspect ratio instantly.
How to Use CapCut for Snapchat Videos
- Download and install CapCut from their official website.
- Open a new project and import your video.
- Use the timeline to trim, cut, or split clips.
- Experiment with filters, music, text, and transitions.
- Export the video in a compatible format and upload to Snapchat.
CapCut — Your all-in-one video & photo editing powerhouse! Experience AI auto-editing, realistic effects, a huge template library, and AI audio transformation. Easily create professional masterpieces and social media viral hits. Available on Desktop, Web, and Mobile App.
Tips for Making Great Snapchat Videos
It’s not just about how long can Snapchat video be—it’s what you do with that time.
- Plan Ahead: Know what you want to show or say before you hit record.
- Edit Smart: Use tools like CapCut to clean up your video, add music, or insert text.
- Grab Attention Fast: The first two seconds are everything. Use bold visuals or sounds.
- Tell a Story: Even short videos can have a beginning, middle, and end.
- Try Different Lengths: See what your audience responds to—sometimes short and funny works; other times, a 60-second vlog-style clip is better.
Wrapping Up
So, how long can a Snapchat video be? It depends. Snaps, Stories, and Chats: 60 seconds. Ads: 3–10 seconds. Lenses and Filters: 10–15 seconds.
There are other rules too—like file size, audio, and content guidelines—that help keep Snapchat a positive space. And if you want to make longer videos, you can—just hold the record button longer.
But most importantly, it’s not just about the length. It’s about being creative within those limits. With a little practice and some help from editing tools like CapCut, you can make videos that your friends and followers will love—even if they’re only 10 seconds long.
CapCut — Your all-in-one video & photo editing powerhouse! Experience AI auto-editing, realistic effects, a huge template library, and AI audio transformation. Easily create professional masterpieces and social media viral hits. Available on Desktop, Web, and Mobile App.
FAQs
What if my video is too long for Snapchat?
Snapchat will split it into 10-second parts automatically. Sometimes the cuts can feel awkward, so if you want more control, use an editor like CapCut to trim it before uploading.
Does Snapchat video length vary by device?
Officially, no. But some users report slight differences based on app version or phone storage. Keep your app updated to avoid issues.
How do I choose the right video length for my audience?
Pay attention to what they like. Use shorter videos for humor and quick updates, longer ones for stories or tutorials. Tools like CapCut can help you test different formats easily.
Some images used in this article are sourced from CapCut.
