Cover image via

How to Properly Export Video for Vimeo

By Johnathan Paul

Published: April 02, 2015 Last Updated: October 11, 2016

Increase your workflow knowledge (and build your audience) with this guide on how to properly export video for Vimeo.

Vimeo is no longer that small community catered toward indie filmmakers. As of 2015, Vimeo has 25 million users with a viewership that extends to 170 million people world wide. With so many users, you need to make sure your work stands out, and the following guidelines will help guarantee that your next exported video is the best quality it can be.

Vimeo Guidelines

While Vimeo accepts most major video codecs, they recommend using H.264 for best results. Another suggestion is to choose the High Profile H.264 setting instead of the standard setting when uploading HD video. At present, Vimeo does not accept G2M2, G2M3, and Canopus HQ codecs.

In addition to the codec setting, Vimeo recommends keeping your frame rate between 24 and 30 FPS. Also be sure, if applicable, to set your bitrate to at least:

SD: 2,000 – 5,000 kbit/s
720p: 5,000 – 10,000 kbit/s
1080p: 10,000 – 20,000 kbit/s

Be sure to follow Vimeo’s guideline for resolution, which covers SD and HD video.

Standard Definition (4:3 aspect ratio) 640 x 480 px
Standard Definition (16:9 aspect ratio) 640 x 360 px
720p HD Video (16:9 aspect ratio) 1280 x 720 px
1080p HD Video (16:9 aspect ratio) 1920 x 1080 px

Next, let’s look at what the process of exporting looks like through Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Avid Media Composer, and Final Cut Pro X. Lastly, ensure that your audio is exporting using the ACC-LC codec at a data rate of 320 kbs and a sample rate of 48 kHz.

Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Vimeo user Gabriel Mays put together a great video that goes through the process of exporting your video when using Adobe Premiere Pro. While he is using Premiere Pro CS6, these same settings are valid for Premiere Pro CC. The number of presets in CC has been expanded, but you always want to use that as a starting point and then customize from there.

Final Cut Pro X

For Final Cut Pro X, Vimeo user Aderyn Productions put together a nice tutorial on exporting your video for Vimeo. Aderyn co-founder Garrett Gibbons notes that, while this video was produced 3 years ago, the process is still the same with some additional notes that weren’t covered in the video. These notes include changing your bit rate to 20,000 kbs instead of 5,000. Also, when Garrett originally put this video together, Vimeo requested that the audio be set to 44.1 kHz, but now the recommended audio setting is 48 kHz.

Avid Media Composer

Vimeo user Josh Lee created the definitive tutorial on how to export video for Vimeo with Avid Media Composer. In fact, the Vimeo staff was so impressed with this video that they have embedded it within their tutorial page.

For additional information on Vimeo, check out these articles from PremiumBeat.

Do these tutorials help with your workflow? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!