Posting Video on Reddit: Specs and Subreddit Rules
Reddit’s video ecosystem plays by its own rules: native uploads live on v.redd.it with quirks, and every subreddit adds a layer of house rules on top. Knowing the mechanics saves a lot of removed posts.
Three ways to post
Native upload (video in a new post) lives on v.redd.it: plays inline, starts muted. Linking a YouTube upload is often preferred in discussion-heavy subreddits - engagement stays on the platform and moderation is lighter.
Crosspost is Reddit’s reuse mechanism: post natively once in the main subreddit, then crosspost to related ones. It is cleaner than re-uploading and avoids duplicate-content flags.
Specs and house rules
Native upload basics: MP4/H.264 is the safe pair; hard limits on length and size are loose, but individual subreddits tighten them - some ban video posts entirely or restrict them to specific days. Sidebar and pinned rules beat any general guide.
The v.redd.it trap: downloaded copies are split DASH streams - a plain download often yields silent video. If you want an archive of your own post, keep the local original rather than re-downloading from Reddit.
Compress before posting
Reddit’s player is average at handling high bitrates, so arrive pre-compressed: 1080p or below, H.264 + AAC MP4, 3-6 Mbps by content. Short clips (under 30 seconds) land in the tens of megabytes and load instantly.
Run the file through a local tool so parameters are known, then check the first three seconds after posting - muted autoplay makes the opening frame the entire pitch.