Why cross-post from YouTube to TikTok?
YouTube long-form videos are a goldmine of TikTok content. A single 10-minute YouTube video can produce 5-10 TikTok clips. The most successful YouTube-to-TikTok creators identify their best moments—hooks, reactions, tutorials—and clip them into standalone TikToks that drive viewers back to the full video.
YouTube Specs
- Caption limit
- 5,000 chars
- Max hashtags
- 5
- Aspect ratios
- 16:9, 9:16
- Media formats
- MP4, MOV
- Max video length
- 12h
- Max file size
- 2000 MB
- Best times
- 2-4 PM, 6-8 PM
- Links in posts
- Yes
YouTube Specs
- Caption limit
- 5,000 chars
- Max hashtags
- 5
- Aspect ratios
- 16:9, 9:16
- Media formats
- MP4, MOV
- Max video length
- 12h
- Max file size
- 2000 MB
- Best times
- 2-4 PM, 6-8 PM
- Links in posts
- Yes
TikTok Specs
- Caption limit
- 2,200 chars
- Max hashtags
- 10
- Aspect ratios
- 9:16, 1:1
- Media formats
- MP4, MOV
- Max video length
- 3 min
- Max file size
- 100 MB
- Best times
- 6-10 AM, 7-9 PM
- Links in posts
- No
How to cross-post from YouTube to TikTok
- 1
Identify clip-worthy moments
Watch your YouTube video and note timestamps with strong hooks, funny moments, key insights, or dramatic reveals. Each is a potential TikTok.
- 2
Clip and reformat to 9:16 vertical
YouTube is typically 16:9 landscape. You need to crop or reformat clips to 9:16 vertical for TikTok. Use editing tools to focus on the key visual area.
- 3
Keep clips 15-60 seconds
While TikTok supports up to 3 minutes, the best-performing TikToks are 15-60 seconds. One powerful moment is better than a rambling clip.
- 4
Add a trending TikTok sound
If your clip is dialogue-heavy, keep original audio. If not, layer a trending TikTok sound for algorithmic boost.
- 5
Write a TikTok-native caption with hashtags
Write a short, hooky caption with 5-10 relevant hashtags. Consider ending with "Full video on YouTube" to drive traffic.
Formatting tips for YouTube to TikTok
Reformat from 16:9 to 9:16
This is the biggest formatting change. YouTube uses landscape; TikTok uses vertical. Crop carefully to keep key visuals.
Keep clips under 60 seconds
While TikTok allows 3 minutes, algorithm performance peaks at 15-60 seconds for repurposed YouTube clips.
Add captions/subtitles
TikTok users often watch without sound. Add text overlays for key points, especially for educational content.
Common mistakes to avoid
Uploading full YouTube videos to TikTok
Full-length YouTube videos do not work on TikTok. Clip the single best 15-60 second moment instead.
Landscape video on TikTok
Never upload 16:9 video to TikTok. It appears tiny with huge black bars. Always reformat to 9:16 vertical.
No context in the clip
Ensure your clip makes sense as a standalone piece. Add text overlay for context if the clip starts mid-conversation.
Pro Tip
Create a "best of" TikTok series from your YouTube channel. Post clips with "Part 1", "Part 2" etc. to build anticipation and drive viewers to your full YouTube videos.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn YouTube videos into TikToks?
Identify the best 15-60 second moments, crop from 16:9 to 9:16 vertical, add a TikTok-native caption with hashtags, and upload. One YouTube video can produce multiple TikToks.
Do I need to change the aspect ratio?
Yes. YouTube uses 16:9 landscape. TikTok requires 9:16 vertical. You must crop or reformat your clips.
Can I promote my YouTube channel on TikTok?
Yes. Add "Full video on YouTube" in your caption or bio link. Many creators use TikTok as a funnel to drive YouTube subscribers.