Motion Graphics for Social Media: Mobile Checklist
96% of internet users worldwide are online via mobile and 82% of video traffic falls on smartphones. If your motion graphics are not optimised for small screens, you are missing your audience.
The key points
- Vertical formats are a must: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels rely on 9:16. Pay attention to “safe zones” to protect text and graphics from UI elements.
- Mind the technical details: MP4 with H.264 codec is standard. For 1080p videos, 3–10 Mbit/s at 30 FPS is ideal.
- Readable text and subtitles: Font sizes from 24 px and clear, high-contrast designs are essential. 75% of users watch videos without sound.
- Optimised animations: Smooth motion at 30 FPS and GPU-accelerated effects prevent stuttering.
- Accessibility: High contrast, simple typefaces and alt text make content accessible to all.
File formats and export settings
For mobile motion graphics, MP4 is the preferred format. It is supported by all major social media platforms and offers an ideal combination of small file size and high image quality. The H.264 codec is the standard here, as it delivers good visual quality with a low file size.
| Platform | Format | Max. file size |
|---|---|---|
| MP4, MOV | 4 GB | |
| TikTok | MP4, MOV | 287.6 MB (iOS) |
| MP4, MOV | 4 GB | |
| MP4, MOV | 5 GB |
Resolution and aspect ratios
More than 80% of social media usage happens on smartphones, which is why vertical formats dominate the platforms. The format 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16) is recommended for Reels, Stories, TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
For motion graphics, you should produce in 4K (3840 × 2160 px). This allows you to crop to different formats without loss of quality.
Typography and text legibility
More than 75% of mobile users consume video content without sound. Well-readable text and subtitles are therefore an absolute must.
For headings in motion graphics, font sizes should be at least 24–28 px, while body text should be no smaller than 16–18 px. Sans-serif system fonts such as San Francisco (iOS) or Roboto (Android) are ideal, as they remain sharp even during fast animations.
Accessibility
Normal text requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. Icons and buttons must also maintain a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.
Information should never be conveyed by colour alone. Supplement it with icons, text labels or patterns.
Conclusion
Mobile optimisation is essential for maximising reach and engagement. Studies confirm that motion graphics generate 1,200% more shares than static images and can increase conversion rates by up to 80%.
“If your content doesn’t resonate with mobile users, it might not get much engagement.”