Resize a video to a new resolution
Pick a target height and VideoBB scales the video with a Lanczos filter, keeps the original aspect ratio, and writes H.264 MP4. Vertical and square videos are scaled by height the same way.
Free with a VideoBB account
Sign in with Google to use the resize video. Your uploads and results stay private to you and are deleted after 24 hours.
How it works
Resizing is the most effective way to make a video smaller without it looking broken, because each step down the ladder roughly halves the number of pixels. A 1080p file is a sensible upper limit for anything watched on a phone.
Scaling up is allowed, but it cannot add detail that was never recorded. It is only useful when a platform or editor insists on a minimum resolution.
Options at a glance
| Height | Common name | Width at 16:9 |
|---|---|---|
| 2160 | 4K UHD | 3840 |
| 1440 | QHD | 2560 |
| 1080 | Full HD | 1920 |
| 720 | HD | 1280 |
| 480 | SD | 854 |
| 360 | Low | 640 |
| 240 | Very low | 426 |
| 144 | Minimum | 256 |
Step by step
Upload
Drop the video.
Pick a height
Choose from 2160p down to 144p.
Resize
Scaling and encoding run in the background.
Download
Save or publish the result.
When to resize a video
Resize a video when the picture size is the problem. A 4K file holds far more pixels than a phone screen can show. An editor, projector or upload form may also ask for a set height, such as 720p or 1080p.
If you just need a smaller file, the compressor's target size mode can hit an exact number of MB. Resizing sets the resolution, and the file size follows from it.
You do not need to resize anything for VideoBB. Every upload gets its own ladder of quality levels, from 144p up, and the player picks one to suit each viewer.
How height and quality work together
The height sets how many pixels each frame has. The quality setting sets how much detail those pixels keep. Both change the final file size.
The three quality settings
Each setting is a constant quality value for the H.264 encoder. A lower number keeps more detail.
| Quality | H.264 CRF | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| High | 20 | Editing, archiving, large screens |
| Balanced | 24 | Everyday sharing |
| Small file | 28 | Tight size limits and previews |
Resizing vertical and square video
The tool sets the frame height, and the width follows the shape. On a vertical phone video, the height is the long side. So 1080p turns a 1080 by 1920 clip into about 608 by 1080. Pick 1440p to get about 810 by 1440 instead.
Common reasons to resize a video
Resizing solves a handful of everyday problems.
Sharing in a messaging app
720p looks sharp on a phone and keeps the file small. Many messaging apps shrink large videos anyway, so sending 720p keeps the result in your hands.
Meeting an editor or device limit
Some older laptops, projectors and players struggle with 4K. Resizing a 4K file to 1080p makes it open everywhere and edit smoothly.
Making a light preview copy
A 360p or 480p copy is quick to send for review. The other person can check timing and content without the full download.
Fixing common resize problems
Most surprises with resizing come from scaling up or from the shape of the frame.
The resized file is bigger than the original
This happens when you scale up, or when the source used a low bitrate. Choose a lower height or the Small file setting.
An upscaled video looks soft
Scaling up spreads the same detail over more pixels. It cannot bring back what the camera never recorded. Keep the source height unless a platform forces a minimum.
I need a square or 16:9 frame, not just a new height
This tool keeps the original shape. It never crops the picture or adds bars. To change the frame shape, upload the video and use the browser editor; the guide to the editor shows where the frame shape is set.
Privacy, output format and retention
Resized files stay private to your account and are deleted after 24 hours. The output is always an H.264 MP4 with stereo AAC sound, so you can download it or publish it to your channel as a private draft.
Frequently asked questions
Will my vertical video be stretched?
No. The height you choose is kept and the width is calculated from the original aspect ratio, rounded to an even number as H.264 requires.
Should I resize before uploading to VideoBB?
No need. VideoBB creates every quality level automatically. Resize when you are sending the file somewhere else.
Which height should I choose for sharing?
720p is a good balance for messaging apps; 1080p for anything watched on a laptop or TV.
Does resizing change the frame rate or length?
No. Only the picture size changes. The frame rate, length and sound timing stay the same.
What does Lanczos scaling mean?
Lanczos is a scaling method that keeps edges crisp when a picture shrinks. It is a little slower than simpler methods but looks sharper, which helps text and fine detail.
What happens to a phone video with a rotation flag?
The flag is applied first, so the resized file plays upright. The height is then measured on the upright picture.
Related guides
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Mute videoRemove the audio track without re-encoding the picture.
Rotate or flip videoFix sideways or upside-down footage, or mirror it.