Tips for Recording Video in Landscape, Portrait, and Square Formats

The video format plays a huge role today. The same video can look completely different depending on where it’s viewed — on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Horizontal, vertical, and square videos serve different purposes, which means the recording approach should also differ.

Many beginner bloggers and content creators make a common mistake: they film only in one format without considering how it will affect engagement. To make your video convenient and appealing to viewers, you need to take into account the specifics of each platform and audience preferences.

In this article, we’ll explore how horizontal, vertical, and square videos differ, how to shoot correctly in each format, and what tools can help you achieve professional quality — even when recording with a smartphone (Android or iPhone iOS).

Horizontal Video

When to Use

• Ideal for YouTube, webinars, and live streams

• Convenient for viewing on computers or TVs

• Perfect for presentations and educational videos

Shooting Tips

1. Hold your phone horizontally and make sure the frame is filled

2. Use a teleprompter app for your phone to keep text moving at the right pace. Android and iOS apps allow speed and font adjustments

3. Follow the “rule of thirds” to maintain a balanced composition

Pros and Cons

• Maximum image quality

• Looks great on large screens

• Not always ideal for mobile-focused social media platforms

Vertical Video

When to Use

• TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts

• Product demos and quick educational clips

• The most familiar format for mobile users

Shooting Tips

1. Hold your phone strictly vertically, avoiding tilts

2. Remember that the viewer’s main focus is in the center of the screen

3. If using a teleprompter, set it up so the text appears in a narrow vertical block and doesn’t distract from the frame

Pros and Cons

• Convenient for mobile viewers

• High engagement on social media

• Limited composition space — fewer details fit in the frame

Square Video

When to Use

• Instagram feed, Facebook, promotional posts

• Ideal if you want your video to look good on both mobile and desktop

Shooting Tips

1. Set your phone camera to a square aspect ratio or crop the video during editing

2. Pay attention to symmetry — the square format requires balanced framing

3. A teleprompter can also be helpful — especially for ads or informational clips

Pros and Cons

• Versatility — looks great across multiple social networks

• Balanced viewing experience on both mobile and desktop

• Not ideal for long videos

Tips for Choosing a Format

• Decide on the platform in advance. If you plan to upload to TikTok, go vertical; for YouTube — go horizontal

• Use one base recording for different formats. Shoot horizontally, then adapt to vertical or square using editors

• A teleprompter is your best assistant. For smartphones (Android and iPhone iOS), there are apps that sync text and speech speed — especially useful for tutorials or ads

• Leave extra space around your subject. This makes it easier to crop for square or vertical formats without cutting out key details

Conclusion

Choosing the right video format is half the success.

• Landscape — for YouTube, presentations, and high-quality content

• Portrait — for social media and quick viewer engagement

• Square — for universal posting across multiple platforms

Don’t forget to use a teleprompter app for your phone, whether Android or iPhone iOS — it helps you maintain a steady speech pace and avoid missing key points.

Main Practical Tip: plan your video ahead of time and shoot in a way that makes it easy to adapt for different formats. This will make your content look professional on any platform.