Bluesky now supports native video uploads, letting you share short clips directly in your feed. Before you post, you need to know which file formats work and what size and length restrictions apply. Uploading a video in the wrong format or exceeding a limit will cause the upload to fail or the video to be rejected. This article covers the exact video specifications Bluesky accepts, how to check your video before posting, and what to do if your upload does not go through.
Key Takeaways: Bluesky Video Upload Rules
- Supported formats: MP4 and MOV: Only these two container formats are accepted for video uploads on Bluesky.
- Maximum duration: 60 seconds: Each video clip cannot exceed one minute of runtime.
- Maximum file size: 50 MB: The video file must be under 50 megabytes to upload successfully.
How Bluesky Processes Video Uploads
Bluesky accepts video as a first-class media type alongside images. When you upload a video, the platform transcodes it to a standard streaming format for playback in the app and on the web. Only the original file format and size are checked at upload time. After upload, Bluesky re-encodes the video, so the final quality may differ slightly from the source file. The platform does not support live streaming or video in direct messages as of this writing. You can attach one video per post. Combining a video with images in the same post is not allowed.
Supported Video Formats and Codecs
Bluesky accepts two container formats: MP4 and MOV. Within those containers, the video track must use the H.264 codec. The audio track must use AAC. Other codecs such as H.265, VP9, or MP3 are not supported and will cause the upload to fail. If your video uses an unsupported codec, you must re-encode it before uploading. Most modern video editing software and free tools like HandBrake can convert videos to H.264 AAC in an MP4 container. The table below summarizes the codec requirements.
Length and Size Limits
Each video post has three hard limits: duration, file size, and resolution. The maximum duration is 60 seconds. The maximum file size is 50 MB. There is no official resolution limit, but Bluesky recommends keeping the resolution at or below 1920×1080 pixels. Higher resolutions increase file size without improving playback quality on mobile devices. Videos wider than 1920 pixels or taller than 1080 pixels may be downscaled during transcoding. Frame rate should be 30 fps or lower for consistent playback. Variable frame rates can cause audio sync issues after transcoding.
Steps to Upload a Video on Bluesky
- Open the composer
Tap the feather icon on the web or the plus button in the mobile app to create a new post. - Select the video file
Tap the media icon camera icon and choose the video from your device. The app displays a progress bar while the file is processed. - Check the warning banner
If the video exceeds the duration or size limit, Bluesky shows a red banner explaining the issue. Trim or re-encode the video and try again. - Add text and post
After the video is attached, you can write a caption. Tap Post to publish. The video appears in the feed with a play button overlay.
Common Video Upload Problems and Solutions
Video file is too large
If the file exceeds 50 MB, reduce the bitrate or trim the length. Use a video converter to lower the bitrate to 8 Mbps or below for 1080p video. Shorter clips also reduce file size.
Video format is not supported
If you see a format error, the file is likely not MP4 or MOV, or it uses an unsupported codec. Re-encode the video to H.264 video with AAC audio in an MP4 container. Free tools like HandBrake or FFmpeg can do this.
Upload gets stuck or fails silently
A stalled upload often means the video is still being transcoded on Bluesky’s servers. Wait a few minutes and refresh the app. If the problem continues, check your internet connection and try uploading a shorter clip first.
Bluesky Video Specs vs Other Platforms
| Specification | Bluesky | Twitter X |
|---|---|---|
| Max duration | 60 seconds | 140 seconds for basic accounts |
| Max file size | 50 MB | 512 MB |
| Supported formats | MP4, MOV | MP4, MOV, GIF |
| Video codec | H.264 only | H.264, H.265 |
| Audio codec | AAC only | AAC, MP3, Opus |
Bluesky’s video limits are stricter than Twitter X in duration, file size, and codec support. The 60-second cap matches Instagram Reels and TikTok standard clips. The 50 MB limit forces users to compress videos before uploading, which keeps server costs low but may reduce quality for high-motion content. If you need longer videos, consider linking to an external platform like YouTube or Vimeo in your post text.
Now you can prepare videos that meet Bluesky’s format and size requirements. Check your file’s codec and resolution before uploading to avoid rejection. For quick conversions, use HandBrake with the Fast 1080p30 preset and set the file size target to 45 MB to stay safely under the limit.