How to Change Aspect Ratio in Premiere Pro (Vertical, Square)

You've edited a widescreen video and now you need a vertical version for Reels, TikTok or Shorts, or a square one for a feed. Premiere Pro gives you two ways to do it. Change the sequence settings yourself, which is quick but leaves you to reposition every shot, or let Auto Reframe build a new version that follows the action. Here's how both work and which to use.

Common aspect ratios and frame sizes

Use	Aspect ratio	Frame size
YouTube, websites	16:9	1920 by 1080
Reels, TikTok, Shorts, Stories	9:16	1080 by 1920
Square feed posts	1:1	1080 by 1080

Premiere works out the aspect ratio from the frame size you type, so you only need the width and height.

Method 1: change the sequence settings

1. In the Project panel, select your sequence.
2. Choose Sequence, then Sequence Settings, or right-click the sequence and choose it there.
3. Under Video, type the new Frame Size, for example 1080 horizontal and 1920 vertical.
4. Click OK. If Premiere warns that previews will be deleted, that's fine; they rebuild as you play.
5. Reposition each clip in the Effect Controls panel using Position and Scale, so the subject stays in frame.

Adobe notes that changing core settings like this can affect playback or quality, so work on a duplicate. Right-click the sequence, choose Duplicate, and change the copy. That way your original widescreen edit stays untouched.

Method 2: Auto Reframe for social versions

1. Select the finished sequence in the Project panel.
2. Choose Sequence, then Auto Reframe Sequence.
3. Pick a Target Aspect Ratio, such as Vertical 9:16 or Square 1:1, or enter a custom one.
4. Choose a Motion setting.
5. Click Create.

Adobe says Auto Reframe makes a duplicate sequence with the new dimensions, so your original keeps its shape. It analyses each shot and moves the frame to follow the main subject, which saves you repositioning every clip by hand and can turn an hour of nudging into a few minutes of checking.

Which motion option to choose

Motion option	Best for
Slower Motion	Talking heads and interviews with little camera movement
Default	Most videos
Faster Motion	Sport, action or lots of movement

Adobe's guidance is that Slower Motion suits talking-head interviews, which makes it the right pick for most business videos, because the frame won't jump around while someone talks.

Check every shot after reframing

• Scrub through the new sequence and look for cut-off faces, products or text.
• Adjust any shot by selecting the clip and changing the Auto Reframe effect's position in Effect Controls.
• Move captions and titles inside the safe area for the platform, away from the top and bottom where app buttons sit.
• Re-export at the new frame size from the Export settings.

Plan your shots for both shapes

If you know you'll need a vertical version, it's easier to plan for it while filming than to fix it afterwards. Keep the speaker near the centre of the frame and leave space around them, so a vertical crop doesn't slice off a hand or a product. Put on-screen text in the middle third of the picture rather than the edges. It's a small habit that makes Auto Reframe's job far easier, and you'll spend much less time nudging shots one by one.

Nest clips before reframing

If your edit has lots of layered clips, titles and effects, Auto Reframe can treat them separately and move them independently, which looks odd. For complex sequences it's often cleaner to nest the main layers first: select them, right-click and choose Nest, then run Auto Reframe on the result. Titles and logos you'll usually want to place by hand afterwards anyway.

Change the aspect ratio of one clip, not the sequence

If one clip looks stretched or has black bars, the sequence isn't the problem. Right-click the clip and choose Set to Frame Size or Scale to Frame Size to fit it, or use Scale in Effect Controls. If footage from a phone looks squashed, check the clip's pixel aspect ratio in Modify, Interpret Footage.

Export at the right size

When you export, Premiere uses the sequence settings by default, so a vertical sequence exports as a vertical video. Check the frame size in the Export panel before you click Export, and choose a preset made for the platform if one's listed.

If you're cutting short social clips regularly, captions matter as much as framing. My guide to YouTube subtitles covers how viewers see captions, and for quicker edits without Premiere, see my guide to adding music in Canva.

My verdict

For a vertical or square version of a finished edit, use Sequence, Auto Reframe Sequence with Slower Motion for talking heads, then check every shot, especially any with text or a product on screen. For a new project, set the frame size right in Sequence Settings from the start. Either way, work on a duplicate so the original edit is safe.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change the aspect ratio in Premiere Pro?

Open Sequence, Sequence Settings and change the Frame Size, or use Auto Reframe Sequence.

How do I make a vertical video in Premiere Pro?

Set the frame size to 1080 by 1920, or Auto Reframe to Vertical 9:16.

Does Auto Reframe change my original sequence?

No. It creates a duplicate sequence with the new dimensions.

Which Auto Reframe motion setting should I use?

Slower Motion for talking heads, Default for most videos, Faster Motion for action.

Why does my clip have black bars in Premiere?

It doesn't match the sequence. Use Scale to Frame Size or adjust Scale.

Can I change aspect ratio on an existing sequence?

Yes, in Sequence Settings, but work on a duplicate.