# Podcast clip aspect ratio: 16:9 sources and 9:16 exports

> Understand podcast video aspect ratio, output dimensions and the difference between cropping a landscape recording and fitting its full frame.

By CastCuts · Updated 2026-10-22

Aspect ratio describes the shape of a video, while resolution describes its pixel dimensions. CastCuts makes 9:16 portrait MP4 clips at 720 × 1280. A landscape source can fill that shape through a crop, or remain fully visible inside the portrait canvas using full-frame layout.

## Separate shape from pixel count

A 16:9 landscape recording is wider than it is tall. A 9:16 portrait video is taller than it is wide. Both 720 × 1280 and 1080 × 1920 have a 9:16 shape, but they contain different numbers of pixels. CastCuts currently exports the former; changing the plan does not add a 1080p export option.

## Choose what can leave the frame

A crop fills the portrait canvas by keeping only part of a wider source. That can suit a single stationary speaker. Full-frame layout preserves the whole composition, which can be useful for two speakers, a panel or a slide. The trade-off is smaller source detail. Review the full excerpt because a camera change or gesture can move the important subject outside a fixed crop.

## Check the publishing destination separately

The exported file’s dimensions describe what CastCuts produces. They are not a complete specification for every social network, ad placement or account. Review the destination’s current accepted formats and preview before posting. If a project requires a square, landscape or higher-resolution deliverable, use a workflow that explicitly supports that output.

## The same shape at two resolutions

Illustrative example. The people, recordings and results described here are fictional.

The ratio 720 ÷ 1280 equals 9 ÷ 16. So does 1080 ÷ 1920. Both describe a portrait canvas, but the second has more pixels. A fictional two-person 16:9 interview can be kept inside the first canvas with full-frame layout; doing that preserves both people without creating a higher-resolution source.

Choose composition from the content and resolution from the required deliverable.

## Check before you finish

- The required output shape and resolution are known separately.

- Framing works throughout the excerpt, including camera changes.

- The actual MP4 has been checked in the publishing destination.

## Practical questions

### Will a portrait crop follow the active speaker?

A fixed crop stays fixed. General automatic speaker tracking and split-screen output are not available in the current workflow.

### Can Pro export a square or 1080p clip?

Pro removes CastCuts branding from new renders. The current output remains 9:16 at 720 × 1280 on both Free and Pro.

## Use this workflow in CastCuts

[Choose a crop or preserve the complete source frame](https://castcuts.co/horizontal-video-to-vertical)

CastCuts selects continuous 1–90 second excerpts and exports 9:16, 720 × 1280 H.264/AAC MP4 files. Automatic transcription and transcript-based suggestions support English and require review. Free exports include CastCuts branding; Pro removes it from new renders for $9 USD/month, with the same processing and storage limits. Episode media is retained for 24 hours. Keep your originals and download finished clips before expiry. Publishing is manual.

## Keep creating

[Vertical video safe zones for podcast clips](https://castcuts.co/guides/vertical-video-safe-zones)

[How to make short clips from a panel discussion](https://castcuts.co/guides/panel-discussion-clips)

[A podcast clip checklist before you publish](https://castcuts.co/guides/podcast-clip-checklist)

[All creator guides](https://castcuts.co/guides)

[Create a clip](https://castcuts.co/account)