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To turn a landscape 16:9 video into a vertical 9:16 YouTube Short, make a vertical sequence in a video editor, place the original footage inside it, then crop and reposition the image so the important action stays in frame. You can do this manually or start with automatic reframing and correct its tracking by hand. Export a square or vertical video and upload it in YouTube Studio.
What changes when you convert landscape video to vertical?
A 16:9 frame is much wider than a 9:16 frame. Filling a vertical canvas with landscape footage therefore means cropping away much of the original left and right sides. Changing the canvas alone does not preserve the entire landscape image at full-frame size: you must choose what remains visible, or design a layout that places the full image within the vertical frame.
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For a common 1080-pixel-wide vertical export, use 1080 × 1920 pixels. That size follows from the 9:16 ratio; YouTube does not require this specific resolution in the guidance cited here. Other dimensions work if they keep the same ratio.
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Choose a reframing method
| Method | Works best when | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Manual crop and reposition | The subject is mostly stationary, or you want deliberate control over the composition, titles and graphics. | Check the framing throughout the timeline; moving subjects may require adjustments at different points. |
| Automatic reframing or subject tracking | The subject moves and you want a quick first pass that follows the action. | Tracking can lose a subject, particularly during fast action or in complex scenes. Inspect and correct the result rather than assuming it is accurate. |
Convert a 16:9 video to 9:16
- Keep the landscape edit intact. Duplicate the project or create a separate vertical sequence so you can return to the original framing. Adobe Premiere’s Auto Reframe workflow creates a duplicate sequence.
- Create a 9:16 sequence or canvas. Set the output aspect ratio to 9:16. If you choose a 1080-pixel width, set the height to 1920 pixels. The exact controls depend on your editor; use its sequence, canvas or project settings.
- Place the landscape footage in the vertical frame. Scale and reposition the clip so the subject and necessary action are visible. If the subject moves, use keyframes to adjust framing over time or use automatic reframing as a starting point.
- For Premiere Pro, apply Auto Reframe if useful. In the Project panel, select the sequence and choose Sequence > Auto Reframe Sequence. Choose a target aspect ratio or specify a custom ratio. Adobe offers Slower Motion for little camera movement, Default for typical action and Faster Motion for rapid movement.
- Review the whole sequence and correct the frame. Watch through cuts and movement. Adjust keyframes or positioning wherever tracking loses the subject or where multiple people or objects need to stay visible. Automatic reframing can speed up the initial work, but fast action and complex scenes may need fine-tuning.
- Check faces, hands, products, action and text. Make sure captions and titles are not clipped at the edges, and verify that important visual details remain visible throughout the video. If a clean crop is impossible, consider a deliberately designed background or a split/repositioned layout.
- Export a square or vertical file, then upload it through YouTube Studio. YouTube’s desktop Shorts upload guidance, accessed October 3, 2026, says Shorts can be up to three minutes long and have a square or vertical aspect ratio. The guidance does not say that only an exact 9:16 upload qualifies. It also says externally created Shorts must use copyrighted material approved for use. Check current YouTube guidance when you upload.
Do not add black bars to force the video to fit
YouTube’s player adapts to the video’s aspect ratio. YouTube advises: “For best results, avoid adding padding or black bars directly to your video.” If you want a designed background, build it as part of the vertical composition rather than adding bars as a workaround for how the player sizes the video. See YouTube’s video resolution and aspect ratio guidance.
#1 Best Overall
Blackmagic Design Davinci Resolve Speed Editor, Bluetooth & USB-C Editing Keyboard Bundle with Davinci Resolve Studio Activation Card
- Small and Portable with Built-In Battery
- Built-In Search Dial
- Keyboard Shortcuts Match Edit Functions
- Bluetooth or USB Connectivity
- Bundle Includes DaVinci Resolve 17 Studio (Activation Card)
Can you do it without a paid editor?
Yes. A paid desktop editor is optional. YouTube says creators can record, edit and upload using a phone and do not need special equipment to get started. Use an editing app that lets you choose a vertical canvas, reposition or crop clips, and export the finished video in a square or vertical format. See YouTube’s Shorts upload guidance.
Or let it run in the cloud
Converting footage for Shorts is an editing task; StreamNeo is for a different job: keeping an uploaded video or playlist live on YouTube. Upload your recording, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the video from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. It streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; if YouTube drops the stream, StreamNeo automatically recovers. The first day is free with no card. Monthly is $9.99 per month. Visit StreamNeo or start your free day.
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ActionRing Stream Controller Deck,Macro Keypad,Gaming Shortcut Keyboard | 6 Customizable Keys and 3 Dials,Trigger Actions for OBS/Twitch/YouTube,Workflow Controller,Compatible with Win/Mac(N3 Black)
- 【Freely customizable】You can assign single or multiple actions by dragging and dropping the desired operation onto the six customizable keys and setting the properties. The uses are endless, such as performing game combos, launching apps, controlling media, etc.In addition, you can add images and animations (JPG, PNG, GIF) to each LCD key to enhance button recognition and memorization. With three dials, you can easily adjust the volume, fast forward and rewind playback, etc.
- 【Perform any operation with one click】The customizable macro keyboard allows you to work efficiently with one click. You can instantly perform any operation, such as launching macros, entering text, opening files and websites, controlling media, and switching OBS scenes, with one click. In addition, by utilizing the "Action Flow" function, you can perform multiple macro actions in a specific order and manage tasks freely.
- 【Various Compatibility]】This shortcut keyboard is compatible with both Windows and macOS. It works seamlessly with popular software such as OBS, PowerPoint, YouTube, Twitter, Discord, Excel, Word, Photoshop, and Adobe Premiere Pro to make your work even smoother.
- 【Multifunctional to meet your needs]】This shortcut keyboard's application space offers hundreds of plugins such as schedule reminders, clocks, stopwatches, weather, calendars, etc., making it not only a productivity tool but also a great desktop companion. In addition, 60 types of icon packs are available for you to download and use according to your needs.
- 【Customer Support】 If you are still unsure of how to set up or operate the product after reading the Quick Start Guide that comes with the product, you can get support in the following ways: 1. Please scroll down the product detail page to watch the tutorial videos in the product videos section. 2. Please select the "Ask a Question" button to contact us.
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Sale
Logitech MX Creative Console 9 Customizable Keys - Graphite | Control Dial, for graphic design, Zoom and Spotify, includes 3-Month Adobe Cloud Membership, Stream Deck Accessories
- 3-months of Adobe Creative Cloud on us: Pair two of the world’s top creative tools. Buy one MX Creative Console and claim your free 3-month Adobe Creative Cloud membership
- Speed Up Your Creative Workflow: The Logitech MX Creative Console lets you quickly access tools and actions on your favorite apps, allowing you to fully focus on your work
- App Integrations: Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, Lightroom and Lr Classic, Final Cut Pro, Figma, Davinci Resolve, Spotify, Zoom, and more; quick start with recommended profiles (1)
- Tactile Analog Control: Make precise adjustments with the low-friction control dial, navigate with the roller, and access actions with the programmable keypad (stand included for flexible placement)
- Customize for Any App: Assign tools and actions to up to 15 keypad pages by profile, dial, and roller, and upload your own icons to the customizable LCD display keys
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TourBox NEO - Editing Controller, Desktop Creative Multi-Control, Wired
- A Better Way to Create. —Your creative workflow shouldn't be split between keyboard, mouse, and software panels. TourBox brings essential controls together, so fewer interruptions stand between your ideas and your work
- Go Beyond Shortcuts. —TourBox gives every creative application its own control system. Press, turn, scroll, and navigate with dedicated controls instead of relying on a flat keyboard and mouse for every task
- Streamline Every Workflow. —Whether you create in Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Photoshop or more, NEO gives you a complete way to start with TourBox, NEO gives you a complete way to start with TourBox. Elevate your experience across digital drawing, color grading, photo editing, and video editing
- More Controls, More Possibilities. —With 14 dedicated controls included additional D-Pad, Dial, and buttons, NEO gives you the core TourBox experience, with more control than Lite
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Rank #2
XPPen Mini Keydial ACK05 Wireless Shortcut Keyboard Bluetooth Programmable Express Remote Control with Dial & Customized Express Keys for Drawing Tablet PC MacBook Windows Images Video Editing
- Wireless Connection: ACK05 wireless shortcut keyboard supports bluetooth 5.0 connection directly, which is Good Design Award 2023 Winners, providing you a more flexible and clean workspace. You can also connect it via a Bluetooth dongle or USB cable. Total three ways connection bring you stable and fast transmission, also can meet your different work scenarios
- Please Note: If you do not download the driver, it can only be used as a regular shortcut keyboard. However, if you wish to customize the keys or program it, you must download the driver and configure it accordingly. If your device is an iPad or runs on iOS, after receiving the product, you need to download the "Shortcut Remote" app on your device in order to properly set up and use this product properly
- Compact Size with Large 1000 mAh Battery: The Wireless Shortcut Remote features a thin profile and weighs only 75 g, easy for one hand to hold. With built-in 1000 mAh battery ensures the continuous working for about 300 hours. Ready to speed up your creation whenever you grab it
- Customize up to forty Shortcuts: The Wireless Shortcut Remote has ten keys. You are allowed to customize four sets through the driver -- up to forty shortcuts. To switch between the sets, you only need to press a single key. Its capability to work with different applications makes itself a powerful productivity tool not only for creation, but also for study, work, and gaming
- Anti-Ghosting Performance: The Mini Keydial features a new technology of Anti-ghosting for all ten keys, you can control with multi-keys at the same time, which will give you more customizable possibilities
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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