# CapCut export settings for Instagram Reels

> Set CapCut to a 9:16 canvas and export 1080p MP4 with H.264 at your footage's frame rate. Desktop, web and phone steps, plus CapCut's status in India.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-05
- **Category**: Ad specs
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-guides/capcut-export-settings-for-instagram-reels

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Set the CapCut canvas to 9:16, then export at 1080p with a frame rate that matches your footage. Choose H.264 and MP4 if CapCut offers them.

CapCut is not officially available in India: it is not on the Indian App Store, and its pricing page shows no plans to visitors from India (checked 3 Nov 2026). If you are in India, read [CapCut alternatives in India](/alternatives/capcut-alternatives-in-india). The steps below are for readers where CapCut is offered.

## Set the canvas

On desktop, make the canvas vertical first (CapCut's blog on vertical video).

1. Select the **Ratio** button to switch the canvas from horizontal to vertical.
2. Open **Basic** and choose **Auto reframe**.
3. Choose 9:16.

The **Resize** option above the timeline is the other route.

## Export on desktop

Desktop needs macOS Monterey 12.0 or later, or 64-bit Windows 10 or later.

1. Finish the edit and click **Export**, top right.
2. Under **Resolution**, pick the size your footage supports. A phone clip at 1080p needs no more.
3. Set **Frame Rate** to the rate you filmed at. CapCut goes up to 60 fps, depending on your footage.
4. Set the bitrate. Higher gives better quality and a bigger file.
5. Choose H.264 as the codec and MP4 as the format, if they are listed. Then click **Export** again.

Meta asks for H.264 on Reels ads. It also wants a fixed frame rate and AAC audio at 128 kbps or more (checked 3 Nov 2026). See [the full Reels export checklist](/guides/best-export-settings-for-instagram-reels).

## Export on web and phone

- **CapCut Online:** click **Export** and choose 1080p, 2K or 4K. 2K and 4K need hardware-accelerated encoding, a stable connection and source media at that size.
- **Phone (CapCut 12.0 or later):** tap the resolution label beside **Export**, top right, and pick 720P, 1080P, 2K or 4K. 2K and 4K show only if your phone supports them.

## Watermarks and plans

CapCut's help page says exports can be watermark-free. A watermark can come from a template's ending clip, a default outro or some credited assets. Delete the ending clip before you export (page dated 18 Mar 2026).

CapCut's own pages disagree on what the free plan exports. One says free users get 1080p and Pro gets 4K. Another says both plans can save 8K. Check the export screen in your app. For prices outside India, see [CapCut pricing](/prices/capcut-pricing).

## Browser option

[Marxx's AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) runs in the browser, makes 9:16 projects and adds auto-captions. It exports MP4 (H.264) with a Meta ads preset. We make Marxx.

## FAQ

### What are the best CapCut export settings for Reels?

Use a 9:16 canvas, the resolution your footage supports (1080p for most phone clips), your footage's frame rate, H.264 and MP4. Meta's Reels ad guide asks for 9:16 and H.264 with a fixed frame rate.

### Should I export at 4K?

Only if your footage is 4K. Meta's Reels page recommends 1440 x 2560, and a clip filmed at 1080p gains nothing from a larger export.

### Why is there a CapCut logo on my export?

It usually comes from a template's ending clip or default outro. Delete that clip before you export.

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