TikTok Carousel Dimensions
The TikTok carousel (Photo Mode) size is 1080 × 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio. This matches TikTok video, so you can mix carousels and videos in the same content workflow without resizing.
What is TikTok Photo Mode
Photo Mode is TikTok's image carousel format — 2 to 35 photos that auto-advance with audio. It plays full-screen like a video, but viewers can also tap to manually advance. Photo Mode carousels:
- Get separate distribution from videos in the For You algorithm
- Often outperform single videos for educational / informational content
- Allow tap-to-pause, encouraging viewers to dwell on individual slides
- Auto-advance every 3 seconds by default
Safe Zones
Photo Mode safe zones match TikTok video. UI overlays cover the same areas:
- Top ~150 px: username, status bar, "Following / For You" tabs
- Bottom ~480 px: caption, hashtags, music attribution, action buttons
- Right edge ~120 px: profile picture, action button column
Keep all important visuals and text in the center 1080 × 1290 area.
Slide Count & Pacing
| Slide Count | Best For |
|---|---|
| 2-4 slides | Quick reveal, before/after, simple comparisons |
| 5-10 slides | Sweet spot — tutorials, listicles, step-by-step |
| 10-20 slides | Deep-dive guides, recipes, in-depth tutorials |
| 20-35 slides | Long-form story / data dump — niche use cases |
Default auto-advance is 3 seconds. Design each slide to make its point inside that window — anything that requires reading more than 8-10 words is too dense.
File Format
- Format: JPG (photos) or PNG (text-heavy / sharp graphics)
- Max file: 20 MB per slide
- Color mode: sRGB
- Resolution: 1080 × 1920 (don't upload smaller)
Tips for High-Performing TikTok Carousels
- Hook in the first slide — TikTok scrolls past in 1-2 seconds if the first slide doesn't land
- 5-10 slides is the completion sweet spot
- Keep text in the center 1080 × 1290 safe zone
- Add audio — silent Photo Mode posts underperform
- Use PNG for text slides, JPG for photos
- Cross-post to Instagram (max 10 slides) without resizing
- Need to design slides at exact 1080 × 1920? Use our image resizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TikTok carousel size?
The TikTok carousel (Photo Mode) size is 1080 × 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio — the same canvas as TikTok video. This fills the entire screen edge-to-edge.
How many slides can be in a TikTok carousel?
TikTok carousels (Photo Mode) support 2 to 35 photo slides per post. The sweet spot for completion rate is 5-10 slides — long enough to deliver value, short enough that viewers don't bail mid-swipe.
What is TikTok Photo Mode?
Photo Mode is TikTok's name for image carousel posts. Instead of a video, you upload 2-35 photos that auto-advance every 3 seconds (with audio). Carousels get separate distribution from videos and often outperform single videos for educational / informational content.
Does TikTok Photo Mode have audio?
Yes. You can add a song, voiceover, or both to a Photo Mode carousel. The audio plays continuously while the slides auto-advance, similar to Instagram Reels with photos. Default audio length matches 3 seconds × number of slides.
What aspect ratio does TikTok Photo Mode use?
TikTok Photo Mode uses 9:16 (1080 × 1920) — vertical, full-screen. Square (1:1) and landscape (16:9) photos are accepted but display with black bars and lose visibility in the For You feed.
What is the maximum file size per photo in a TikTok carousel?
Each photo can be up to 20 MB. With 35 slides at 20 MB each, total upload could reach 700 MB — though most carousels stay well under 200 MB total.
Where are the TikTok carousel safe zones?
Safe zones for Photo Mode are the same as TikTok video: avoid the top ~150 px (username, tabs) and bottom ~480 px (caption, action buttons). Keep all important text and visuals in the center 1080 × 1290 area.
Can I post the same carousel on TikTok and Instagram?
Yes — both use the 1080 × 1920 / 9:16 canvas. However, Instagram carousels max at 10 slides, so trim long TikTok carousels to fit. The 1080 × 1920 master file works on both.