Video in circles (or Reactions) in Telegram is a trendy way to make content brighter and more attractive. These videos look like miniature clips in round frames that automatically play in chats or channels. If you wanted to add a similar effect to your stories, posts or personal messages, but did not know how to do it on Android - this article is for you.

Let's get straight to the main thing: Telegram does not have a built-in function for creating round videos out of the box. However, there are several working ways to get around this limitation - from using third-party applications to manual processing through the editor. We will look at all the options, their pros and cons, and also give tips on how to make content viral using this format.

Important: algorithms Telegram periodically change the rules for displaying multimedia, so some methods may no longer work. If something doesn’t work out, check the relevance of the information in the official @Telegram-channel or the settings of your version of the messenger.

📊 How often do you publish videos on Telegram?
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Videos in round frames (they are also called Reactions-format or circle stories) are short clips that appear in Telegram as animated icons. They automatically play as you scroll through your feed, making them more eye-catching than static images. This format initially appeared in Instagram Stories, but quickly migrated to other social networks, including Telegram.

The main advantages of round videos:

  • 🎯 Increased coverage: users more often focus on dynamic content.
  • 📱 Adaptability: circles look good on both smartphones and desktops.
  • 💡 Creativity: the format allows you to experiment with animation and effects.
  • 🔄 Viral potential: such videos are more often reposted in channels and chats.

B Telegram round videos are most often used for:

  • 📢 Advertising stories (promotions, discounts, new products).
  • 🎉 Personal announcements (birthdays, travel, achievements).
  • 📊 Educational content (short tutorials, life hacks).
  • 🤣 Memes and humorous videos.
⚠️ Attention: Telegram may limit the duration of round videos to 3–7 seconds depending on the type of chat. In channels and groups, the limit is usually stricter than in personal messages.

Video preparation: requirements for format and resolution

Before creating a round video, you need to prepare the source file. Telegram has strict requirements for multimedia, especially if you want the video to be displayed correctly in a circle. Here are the key parameters:

Parameter Recommended value Note
Duration 3–7 seconds In channels maximum 5 seconds, in personal chats - up to 7.
Resolution 512×512 or 1080×1080 Square aspect ratio is required!
File format .MP4 or .MOV .GIF is not supported for round ones video.
Bitrate Up to 5 Mbit/s Higher bitrate may lead to compression.
Background Transparent or plain Avoid colorful backgrounds - they distract from the content.

If your video does not meet these requirements, it will either be cut off automatically (with loss of quality), or it will not load at all as a circle. To avoid problems, use specialized editors.

Tip: if you shoot video on a smartphone, immediately select the 1:1 (square) mode in the camera. This will save time on pruning. On Samsung Galaxy i Xiaomi this option is in the standard camera application, and on Google Pixel it can be enabled via Settings → Aspect Ratio.

Shoot video in square format (1:1)|

Cut to 3-7 seconds|

Remove unnecessary sound (if any)|

Compress file to 5 Mbps|

Check background for contrast-->

Method 1: creating round videos through CapCut (the simplest)

CapCut - a free video editor from TikTok, which is ideal for preparing round videos for Telegram. It is available on Android and allows you to quickly trim videos, add effects and export in the desired format.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download CapCut from Google Play and open application.
  2. Click New project and select the video you want to convert.
  3. In the bottom panel, tap on Format and select 1:1 (Square).
  4. Trim the video to 3-7 seconds using the tool Crop.
  5. Go to Effects → Masks i select Circle (or Oval).
  6. Adjust the size of the mask so that it covers the entire video.
  7. Export the project with settings:
    • Resolution: 1080p.
    • Quality: High.
    • Format: MP4.

The finished video can be downloaded in Telegram as usual - through the button Paperclip in the chat or channel. The messenger will automatically recognize the format and display it in a circle.

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In CapCut you can add animation to the round mask: go to Key frames and adjust the smooth appearance/disappearance of the circle. This will make the video more dynamic!

⚠️ Attention: If after loading the video into Telegram the circle is displayed with black stripes on the sides, then you have chosen the wrong one aspect ratio. Return to CapCut and repeat the export with a square format.

Method 2: manual cropping via InShot (for advanced)

InShot is another popular editor that is suitable for creating round videos. Its main advantage is flexible mask settings and the ability to fine-tune animation. the free version retains the watermark.

How to make a circle in InShot:

  1. Open the application and import the video.
  2. Click Canvas and select 1:1.
  3. Go to Effects → Mask and select Circle.
  4. Adjust the position and size of the mask with your fingers.
  5. Crop the video to the desired size duration (Crop).
  6. In Export settings set:
    • Resolution: 1080p.
    • Frequency frames: 30 FPS.
    • Bitrate: 5 Mbps.
  7. Save the video without the watermark (premium subscription required).

If you don't have a premium account, you can bypass the watermark: export the video with the watermark, then trim it in another editor (for example, KineMaster), removing the unnecessary fragment.

How to remove the InShot watermark without premium?

First export the video with the sign, then open it in CapCut and trim the edges where the logo is located. Alternative -. use Remove & Add Watermark (application from the Play Market), but the quality may suffer.

Method 3: online services for round videos (without installing apps)

If you don’t want to install applications, you can use online editors. They work directly in the browser, but require a stable Internet connection. video:

  • 🌐 Kapwing (kapwing.com) - allows you to crop the video into a circle and add a background.
  • 🌐 Canva (canva.com) - there are templates for round stories.
  • 🌐 Clideo (clideo.com) - a simple tool for cropping and changing the shape.

Instructions using an example Kapwing:

  1. Go to the site and click Start Editing.
  2. Upload video from your phone or cloud.
  3. In the toolbar, select Crop → Circle.
  4. Trim video to 7 seconds.
  5. Export to MP4 resolution 1080p.

The disadvantage of online services is the file size limit (usually up to 500 MB) and possible privacy problems. Do not upload personal videos to unknown sites!

⚠️ Attention: Online editors may compress videos more than mobile applications. If quality is critical, use CapCut or InShot.

How to upload a round video to Telegram without losing quality

Even if you have prepared the video correctly, Telegram it may be compressed or cut off. To avoid this, follow these tips:

  • 📤 Download via the desktop version: sometimes the web version Telegram preserves quality better.
  • 🔗 Sending as file: if the video is distorted, send it as a document (File instead Video).
  • 🔄 Re-uploading: if the circle does not appear, delete the message and send the video again.
  • 📥 Checking in the channel: before publishing, test the video in a personal chat.

If the video is still displayed incorrectly, check:

  • Does it meet the requirements for duration and resolution.
  • Does the file have an alpha channel (transparency) - Telegram does not support it.
  • Does the file exceed 50 MB - for round videos this is a critical limit.

Additional restrictions apply for channels and groups: 

Maximum video size in a channel: 50 MB

Maximum duration: 5 seconds (for circles)


Supported formats: MP4, MOV (H.264 codec)

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Video in circles in Telegram is not a separate type of content, but a regular video with a square format and a round mask. The messenger automatically recognizes such files and displays them as Reactions.

Common errors and how to fix them

Even experienced users encounter problems when downloading round videos. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

Problem Cause Solution
Video is not in a circle, but in a rectangle Wrong aspect ratio Crop the video to 1:1 and add a round mask
The circle is cut off at the edges The mask is too large or offset Adjust the mask size in the editor
The video is not playing Unsupported format or codec Convert to MP4 (H.264) via HandBrake
Low quality Too much compression when exporting Increase bitrate up to 5 Mbit/s
Video is not sent The file is too large Compress the video to 50 MB

If none of the methods helped, try download videos via Telegram Bot @vid - this bot sometimes handles multimedia better than the standard interface.

⚠️ Attention: In some versions of Telegram for Android (below 9.0), round videos may not be displayed correctly. Update the messenger via Google Play or from the official one. site.
Is it possible to make a round video directly in Telegram without third-party applications?

No, the messenger itself does not have tools for cutting videos into a circle. You will definitely need a third-party editor (CapCut, InShot or. online service).

Why is my round video in Telegram cut off at the edges?

This happens if you did not set the square format (1:1) or configured the mask incorrectly. Return to the editor and check the settings.

How to increase the duration of a round video. in Telegram?

The official limit is 7 seconds in personal chats and 5 seconds in channels. You cannot bypass this limitation, but you can split a long video into several parts.

Is it possible to add music to a round video for Telegram?

Yes, but keep in mind that Telegram can block videos with original tracks. Use free music from libraries YouTube Audio Library or Epidemic Sound.

Why is the round video not playing in the channel?

There is probably a problem with the codec or bitrate. data-i="254">with a bitrate no higher than 5 Mbit/s. Also check if the file does not exceed 50 MB. MP4 (H.264) with a bitrate no higher than 5 Mbit/s. Also check that the file is not larger than 50MB.