To make a video square, crop it to a 1:1 aspect ratio, keeping the part of the frame where your subject is. The MobileStudio Crop Video tool's 1:1 preset does it in any browser. On iPhone, Photos has a Square crop; on Android, Google Photos has one too. A square video takes up more space in a feed than a landscape one, without being cut off the way 9:16 sometimes is.
The short answer
| You're on | How to crop square |
|---|---|
| Any browser | Crop Video > 1:1 |
| iPhone | Photos > Edit > Crop > aspect button > Square |
| Android | Google Photos > Edit > Crop > Aspect ratio > Square |
| Mac or Windows | Browser tool, or an editor with a 1:1 project |
Why use a square video?
Square videos show well in mixed feeds: they're bigger than landscape on phones and display fully on desktop, where tall videos get cropped or shrunk. They suit Instagram and Facebook feed posts, LinkedIn, and carousels where every item should match.
How do I make a video square in my browser?
- Open Crop Video.
- Drop in the video.
- Choose 1:1.
- Drag the square over the subject, and resize it from the corner if you want a tighter crop.
- Click Crop & download.
You get an MP4 with the original sound, and nothing is uploaded. A 1920×1080 video becomes 1080×1080.
How do I make a video square on iPhone?
- Open the video in Photos and tap Edit.
- Tap Crop, then the aspect ratio button at the top.
- Choose Square.
- Drag the video to position it, then tap Done.
Apple's crop guide has the details. More in how to crop a video on iPhone.
How do I make a video square on Android?
In Google Photos, tap Edit > Crop > Aspect ratio, pick the square option, position the frame, and tap Save copy, as Google's editing help shows. See how to crop a video on Android.
Can I make a video square without cropping?
Yes: place the full video inside a square frame with bars or a blurred background. Use an editor with a 1:1 project, like Clipchamp, which has project aspect ratios and a crop tool, then set the video to Fit. This keeps everything visible, which helps with landscape screen recordings or group shots.
Where should a square video's subject be?
- Centered for talking heads and product shots.
- Slightly above center for faces, with room above the head.
- Check the whole clip, since a moving subject can leave a fixed square.
How do I make a square video from a vertical one?
Cropping a 9:16 phone video to 1:1 removes the top and bottom instead of the sides. Choose 1:1 in the tool and drag the square up or down to frame the face or product. You'll lose almost half the height, so check that nothing important sits near the top or bottom of the original.
What size should a square video be?
1080×1080 pixels is the standard for social media. Instagram sizes photos to 1080 px wide and keeps aspect ratios between 1.91:1 and 4:5, according to its resolution help, and square sits comfortably inside that range. For portrait feed posts, consider 4:5 instead; see how to crop a video for Instagram.
Where MobileStudio fits
Crop Video is one of our free tools. MobileStudio itself turns screen recordings into polished app demos, ready in square, vertical, or landscape. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
How do I crop a video to 1:1?
Pick the 1:1 preset in Crop Video, or Square in iPhone Photos.
What is a 1:1 video?
A square video: the width and height are equal, like 1080×1080.
Is square or vertical better for Instagram?
Vertical 9:16 for Reels; 4:5 or square for feed posts.
Does a square crop reduce quality?
It removes the sides, but the kept area keeps its quality.
Can I make a square video on a computer?
Yes, with the browser tool or an editor that supports 1:1 projects.
