Spotify Music Video Requirements: 2026 Checklist

Checked July 30, 2026. Spotify recommends one music-first video in 16:9 landscape, 1920 x 1080 or higher, MP4, longer than 30 seconds, shorter than 20 minutes, and no larger than 50 GB. The song must remain the focus. Visualizers, lyric videos, still-image videos, multi-song edits, and videos without music are not accepted as official full-length music videos.

Frame16:9 landscape

Resolution1920 × 1080+

FormatMP4 recommended

Duration>30 sec, <20 min

File sizeUnder 50 GB

Spotify lists other formats as compatible, but 16:9, 1080p+, and MP4 are the recommended production target.

Spotify Music Video Preflight Checklist

Run these checks before scheduling a distributor delivery or opening Spotify for Artists.

01File

16:9 landscape1920 × 1080 or higherMP4 recommended

02Content

One complete songMusic is the main focusNo still-only edit

03Release

Rights are clearedSong and metadata matchDelivery route confirmed

Passing the technical checks does not guarantee publication. Spotify still reviews video quality, content policy, rights, metadata, and delivery eligibility.

Recommended and Compatible Video Specs

Use the recommended column as the production target. The compatible column is not a quality target, and a distributor may require a stricter delivery master than Spotify's direct-upload beta.

Spotify's current full-length video content policy is the controlling source for these values.

Content Spotify Accepts and Rejects

Spotify currently accepts

• Official music videos
• Live performances
• Acoustic or studio sessions
• Covers and alternate versions

Not accepted as full-length video

• Visualizers or lyric videos
• Videos containing multiple songs
• Videos without music
• Still-image videos

Spotify accepts official music videos, live performances, acoustic or studio sessions, covers, and alternate versions such as dance videos. Every upload should contain one song with music as the clear focus.

Do not submit a waveform stretched across the song, synchronized lyrics over a background, a static album-cover video, a concert containing several songs, or a silent promotional video. Those are useful release assets elsewhere, but they are not the official full-length format defined by Spotify.

For a short mobile loop, use the Spotify Canvas maker instead. The Spotify Canvas vs music video guide explains why Canvas uses a separate 3-8 second, 9:16 workflow.

Rights and Metadata Checks

Before delivery, confirm that you can use:

• The sound recording and underlying composition.
• Every performer, face, location, clip, image, logo, and generated asset.
• The final thumbnail and any visible text or branding.
• The artist name, song title, songwriter data, explicit settings, and Video ISRC when available.

For US availability, songwriter and publisher ownership may also need to be fully registered with The MLC, and relevant publishers may need to opt into Spotify's audiovisual license administered through HFA. Review Spotify's current music video publishing rights guidance before release.

Direct Upload and Distributor Specs Are Different

Spotify for Artists gives its own recommended and compatible specifications. A distributor can add stricter requirements so one master works across several services.

For example, DistroVid currently requires 1920 x 1080 or higher, a file up to 30 GB, approved frame rates, progressive scan, stereo audio, and specific codecs. Read the DistroVid music video guide before exporting for that route.

If your artist or label team has direct-upload access, follow the complete Spotify music video upload guide. If the Upload Video button is missing, confirm distributor support before paying for production or delivery.

Exporting From VibeMV

VibeMV lets you define a 16:9 visual direction, generate AI video shots around the song, review each section, replace weak footage, and assemble the complete video. The standard export is 720p; use the optional 1440p upscale when preparing a master above Spotify's 1080p recommendation.

Use the AI music video generator to create the video file. VibeMV does not submit the file, clear your rights, or guarantee acceptance by Spotify or a distributor.

FAQ

What size should a Spotify music video be?

Spotify recommends a 16:9 landscape video at 1920 x 1080 pixels or higher. Other aspect ratios and lower resolutions may be compatible, but Spotify can add letterboxing and may reject videos that do not meet its quality standards.

What file format does Spotify accept for music videos?

Spotify recommends MP4. Its current content policy also lists MOV and MPEG-4 as compatible for direct uploads through Spotify for Artists. A distributor may impose a narrower codec and container specification.

How long can a Spotify music video be?

Spotify recommends a video longer than 30 seconds or the full length of the song. Direct uploads must be shorter than 20 minutes and cannot be still-image videos.

Does Spotify accept lyric videos or visualizers?

No. Spotify's current full-length video policy does not accept lyric videos or visualizers as official music videos. It also excludes videos without music and videos containing multiple songs.

Can I upload a vertical music video to Spotify?

Spotify lists other aspect ratios as compatible, but it recommends 16:9 landscape and normally displays alternate ratios inside a 16:9 area with letterboxing. Produce a native landscape master when Spotify is a planned destination.

Does meeting the Spotify specs guarantee acceptance?

No. Technical compliance is only one part of review. Spotify or the distributor can still reject or remove a video because of content quality, rights, metadata, platform rules, or unsupported delivery access.

Official Sources

• Spotify full-length video content policy
• Uploading videos in Spotify for Artists
• Music video publishing rights and clearances