Crop a Horizontal Video to Vertical
This converter takes a horizontal video and crops it to a vertical or square frame: 9:16, 1:1, or 4:5. Pick the ratio, and the converter outputs an MP4 sized for the platform you are posting to.
Cropping a horizontal frame down to 9:16 keeps the middle of the shot and cuts the sides, so it works best when the subject stays near the center. Content shot close to the edges, or with text near the left or right border, needs a manual check after conversion.
What you get:
- Three output ratios: 9:16 for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts; 1:1 for square posts; 4:5 for portrait feed posts
- no watermark on any recording or export
- Output as MP4, ready to download
- MP4, M4V, MOV, AVI, WEBM, MKV, FLV, TS, MTS, M2TS, 3GP, 3GPP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, VOB, OGV, RM, RMVB, MPG, MPEG, M2V, F4V, MXF accepted as input
- Free plan: 3 uploads
How to Convert Video to 9:16
Converting a horizontal video to vertical takes three steps.
- Upload your horizontal video by dragging and dropping it, or choose a file from your device.
- Pick the output ratio: 9:16, 1:1, or 4:5, depending on where you are posting.
- Download the result once the conversion finishes.
The crop keeps the center of the frame. If your subject moves to one side of the shot, that part can end up cut off in the vertical version, the same limit any center-based crop has. Re-shooting with the subject centered, or trimming to the section where it stays centered, gives a cleaner result. See how we measure accuracy for how ScreenApp’s other tools handle audio and transcription quality.
Vertical Video Converter vs Other Tools
| Feature | ScreenApp | Canva | Adobe Express | Kapwing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertical crop tool | 9:16, 1:1, or 4:5 | Yes | Yes | Yes, 4 min max on the free plan |
| Automatic subject tracking | No, center crop only | Not stated | No, manual reposition | Speaker Focus, which tracks the active speaker so they stay in frame |
| Signup required | Yes, free (no card) | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Free upload limit | 3 uploads, no set file size limit | Not stated | 1 hour, 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Paid plan | $19/month annual | $12/month annual | $9.99/month | $16/month annual |
Sources, checked 2026-09-12: ScreenApp pricing, kapwing.com/pricing, kapwing.com/tools/resize-video, adobe.com/express/feature/video/trim, adobe.com/express/feature/video/convert/mp4, canva.com/pricing/, adobe.com/express/pricing
- vs Canva: Canva’s resize tool converts between aspect ratios with a manual crop; its own page does not describe automatic subject tracking. Canva Pro runs $12 a month billed annually.
- vs Adobe Express: Adobe Express resizes video for TikTok and Reels, but framing is a manual drag to recenter the subject, not automatic. Its free plan caps videos at 1 hour and 1 GB.
- vs Kapwing: Kapwing’s resize tool defaults to manual center or fill crop, and offers a separate Speaker Focus, which tracks the active speaker so they stay in frame. Kapwing’s free plan caps videos at 4 minutes and 2 GB; ScreenApp’s free plan caps at 3 uploads instead of a video length.
Who Converts Video to Vertical
Content creators repurpose a YouTube video or podcast clip for TikTok, Reels, or Shorts without reshooting, as long as the subject sits near the center of the original frame.
Social media marketers turn one horizontal ad into a square or vertical version for Instagram Stories or TikTok placements, then run both formats from the same shoot.
Brands and businesses convert horizontal product demos, webinars, or corporate videos into a vertical clip for a company’s social channels.
Agencies convert client video assets into multiple ratios for a single campaign brief, checking the crop on each clip before delivery.
