Tubelexity creator guide
How to convert horizontal video to YouTube Shorts
A landscape video cannot fill a 9:16 frame without either cropping the sides or adding space above and below. The right choice depends on whether the subject can remain readable in a narrow crop and whether background context matters.
Open the Shorts ConverterStep-by-step workflow
- 01Choose a landscape, square or portrait source.
- 02Select a 9:16 output resolution.
- 03Try fill and crop, then compare fit or background modes.
- 04Position and zoom the source manually.
- 05Check the safe-zone overlay before exporting.
Crop or add a background?
Fill and crop works when the subject occupies a narrow central area. Fit mode preserves every source pixel but creates empty space. A blurred or solid background fills that space while keeping the complete frame visible.
- Use manual positioning for off-center subjects.
- Avoid zooming so far that text or faces leave the frame.
- Use the same preview ratio as the export.
Keep interface overlays in mind
Shorts controls can cover the right edge, bottom area and text regions. Keep essential captions, product details and logos inside the safer central area, then check a real upload because YouTube can change layouts.
Rotation and unusual sources
Phone videos often carry rotation metadata instead of rotated pixels. Modern decoders usually apply it, but unusual containers may differ between preview and export. Always inspect the rendered result.
Frequently asked questions
What ratio should a YouTube Short use?
9:16 is the standard vertical layout used by the Tubelexity Shorts preset.
Can I keep the whole horizontal frame?
Yes. Use fit, blurred background or solid background mode instead of fill and crop.
Does the converter track faces?
No. Framing is manual so you control the exact crop.