Setting Video Duration and Aspect Ratio
Duration and aspect ratio are two fundamental settings that determine the length and shape of your video.
Written By Rishikesh from ngram
Last updated About 1 month ago
Getting these right before you start ensures your video fits its intended platform and audience.
Duration
Where to Find It
The duration setting is in the settings bar below the prompt box. It displays the currently selected duration (e.g., "30s").
Click the duration button to cycle through the available options. Each click advances to the next duration in the list.
Available Duration Options
How Duration Affects Your Video
The duration setting tells the AI how long the final video should be. This influences several things:
Number of scenes: Longer videos have more scenes. A 30-second video might have 4-5 scenes, while a 60-second video might have 7-10.
Script length: The text model writes a script that fits the target duration, adjusting the amount of narration accordingly.
Pacing: Shorter videos move quickly between points. Longer videos allow more time per scene for detail and transitions.
Credit usage: Longer videos require more scenes, which means more image generation and more video animation, resulting in higher credit usage.
Choosing the Right Duration
30 seconds is the default and works well for most situations. Here is when to choose differently:
10-second teaser: You need a quick hook for social media. Think of it as a trailer for your product -- just enough to spark curiosity.
15-second teaser: Similar to the 10-second option but with a bit more breathing room. Good for Instagram Reels or TikTok where slightly longer content still performs well.
30 seconds: The sweet spot for most product demos, feature announcements, and social clips. Long enough to explain a key benefit, short enough to hold attention.
45 seconds: When you need to cover multiple features or tell a slightly longer story. Works well for LinkedIn posts or landing page videos.
60 seconds: For comprehensive overviews, detailed tutorials, or videos where you need to walk through a multi-step process.
Tips for Duration
Start shorter, then go longer. It is easier to expand a concise script than to cut a long one. Begin with 30 seconds and only increase if you genuinely need more time.
Match the platform. Social media platforms favor shorter content (10-30 seconds). Website landing pages and email campaigns can support longer videos (45-60 seconds).
Consider your audience's attention. If your audience is browsing a social feed, keep it short. If they are on your product page actively evaluating, a longer video is fine.
Aspect Ratio
Where to Find It
The aspect ratio selector is in the settings bar, next to the duration button. It shows the current ratio (e.g., "16:9").
Click the button to see the available aspect ratio options.
Available Aspect Ratios
How Aspect Ratio Affects Your Video
The aspect ratio determines the shape of every visual element in your video:
Keyframe images are generated at the selected aspect ratio
Video clips are animated at the selected ratio
Text overlays and captions are positioned for the chosen format
The overall composition is optimized for the selected orientation
This setting is applied from the very beginning of the creation process, so it is important to choose the right ratio before you send your prompt.
Choosing the Right Aspect Ratio
16:9 (Landscape) is the default and the most versatile:
Standard for YouTube, Vimeo, and most web video players
Works well on desktop screens and presentations
Ideal for product demos shown on websites and landing pages
The default for LinkedIn video posts
9:16 (Vertical) is essential for mobile-first platforms:
Required for TikTok videos
Optimal for Instagram Reels
Works well for YouTube Shorts
Best when your audience will primarily view on mobile devices
Great for stories and short-form social content
1:1 (Square) is noted in the selector but is not currently available. Square format may be added in a future update.
Tips for Aspect Ratio
Decide before you start. Changing the aspect ratio after generating your storyboard means regenerating all images and video clips. Set it upfront to avoid wasted effort and credits.
Create multiple versions. If you need the same video for both YouTube (16:9) and TikTok (9:16), create two separate videos with the same prompt but different aspect ratios. The AI will compose each version appropriately.
Vertical is not just cropped landscape. When you select 9:16, the AI generates entirely different compositions optimized for vertical viewing. Subjects are centered differently, text is positioned for portrait orientation, and the overall layout is designed for the tall format.
Think about where the video will live. If your video will be embedded on a website, 16:9 is almost always the right choice. If it is going directly to social media, match the platform's preferred format.
Summary
Next Steps
Selecting a Voice for Narration -- choose the voice that will narrate your script
Choosing a Visual Style -- set the art direction for your video's look
Choosing a Text Model -- the script length adapts to your chosen duration