How to Convert Portrait Video to Landscape without Losing Quality

Converting a portrait video to a landscape can transform the look and feel of your content, making it more suitable for platforms like YouTube or widescreen presentations. With the right tools, this process can be quick and simple, allowing you to adjust the aspect ratio without compromising video quality.

In this article, we'll show you the best methods to easily convert portrait videos to landscape in just a few minutes to achieve a seamless transition.

Difference between portrait and landscape video formats

When you shoot a video, you can choose between two common formats: portrait or landscape. Portrait videos are tall and narrow, much like the orientation of your smartphone when you hold it vertically. Landscape videos, however, are wider than they are tall. They align well with the natural viewing orientation of computer monitors and television screens, offering a broader view which makes them great for scenes that need a wide perspective.

The main difference lies in how these formats capture the environment: portraits focus more on height, best for close-ups or personal content, while landscape offers a wide view, suitable for expansive scenes.



Different approaches to convert portrait video to landscape

Now let's explore how you can change video from portrait to landscape format without losing the visual appeal using different methods.

1. AI stretching

AI stretching uses advanced algorithms to expand the width of a portrait video to fit a landscape format. It smartly adjusts the edges of the video while preserving the main content in the center from being distorted.

2. Video rotation

This method involves rotating the entire video to convert portrait video to landscape orientation. It’s a straightforward approach that maintains the original aspect ratio of the video.

3. Add background

This technique places the original portrait video onto a larger, landscape-oriented canvas. The extra horizontal space on the sides can be filled with a relevant background or extended image from the video.

How to turn portrait video into landscape on a PC: CapCut

The CapCut desktop video editor offers a straightforward solution for converting portrait videos to landscape without compromising on quality. Designed with a user-friendly interface, CapCut allows you to quickly adjust the orientation of your videos to better suit platforms that favor wider formats, like YouTube or widescreen displays. Plus, it allows you to enhance your content with various editing features.



Convert portrait video to landscape with CapCut

If you are new to CapCut, click the "Download" button below and follow the instructions to run the installer. Afterward, sign up with your Google, Facebook, or TikTok account to access its features.

Step
1. Import the video
2. Open the CapCut desktop video editor and click on the "Import" button in the middle of the screen to select and upload your video.
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Step
4. Convert portrait video to landscape
5. To change your video to a landscape format, click "Ratio" to switch the video canvas from vertical to horizontal by selecting the 16:9 ratio. Then, go to the "Basic" section > "Auto reframe" > 16:9 ratio, which is perfect for a landscape screen. You can also convert portrait video to landscape by selecting the "Resize" option located above the timeline.
6. To add a background to fill in the empty space, scroll right to the "Basic" tab of the video. Select "Canvas" > "Blur, " and select any one of the blur options to fill the empty spaces to ensure a constant appearance on the video.
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Step
8. Export and share
9. Once you're satisfied with the video framing, select "Export" at the top right of the interface. Here, you can customize settings, including quality, frame rate, codec, and bit rate, to suit your needs. You can share your video directly to platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
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Key features

• Adjustable aspect ratio
• Allows users to resize videos to fit different platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, ensuring content looks perfect regardless of where it's shared.
• Instant auto-reframe
• The auto reframe tool adjusts the focus and framing of your video content, ensuring that the main subjects are always centered and prominent in every scene.
• Various background fillers
• CapCut offers a range of background options, like solid colors, blur effects, or image fills, to enhance videos and fill empty spaces, giving a polished, professional look.
• Supports multiple video formats
• Users can import and export videos in various formats, ensuring compatibility with different devices and platforms, which makes the editing process smoother and more flexible.

How to convert portrait to landscape video online: Clideo

Clideo is the best portrait-to-landscape video converter that adjusts the aspect ratio without losing quality. This tool is ideal when video is recorded in portrait mode but requires it in the landscape for better compatibility across various platforms or devices. Clideo’s interface is user-friendly, making it perfect for anyone to use, whether on a mobile device or a desktop.

Make a portrait video landscape with Clideo

Here is how to convert portrait video to landscape online for free using Clideo:

Step
1. Upload a video
2. Go to Clideo’s video resizer page. Click on the "Choose file" button to select a video from your local device, Google Drive or Dropbox.
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Step
4. Change the orientation
5. In the "Resize for" section of the editor, choose a landscape preset with the desired dimensions or enter custom ones. Next, select the "Fill" or "Fit" crop option. "Fill" removes black bars by cropping the video, while 'Fit' preserves the entire image. If you choose "Fit," you can blur the background or change its color by clicking the paint bucket icon. Use the zoom and position controls to adjust the video as needed.
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Step
7. Download the result
8. Once your video has been successfully converted to landscape format, click the "Export" button on the right side of the screen.
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Key features

• Clideo operates entirely within your web browser, eliminating the need to download and install software.
• The tool accommodates a variety of video formats, allowing you to upload and convert videos from almost any source.
• Let users manually adjust video dimensions or choose from pre-set options to ensure the video fits the desired viewing platforms.
• Clideo's simple, intuitive controls enable both novices and experienced users to manage video orientation changes efficiently.

How to change video's aspect ratio on mobile: CapCut mobile app

If you're looking to adjust your videos to fit on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, the CapCut mobile app is your go-to solution. This app simplifies the process of changing your video's aspect ratio, ensuring it looks great no matter where it’s posted. The app helps you quickly pick the right video size, whether it’s square, wide, or tall.

Change video from portrait to landscape with the CapCut mobile app

Here is how to change a video from portrait to landscape using the CapCut mobile app:

Step
1. Start a new project
2. Launch the CapCut app on your mobile device and tap on "New project."
Step
3. Choose the aspect ratio
4. Tap on the "Aspect ratio" icon located at the bottom of the screen. Select the "16:9" option for a landscape orientation.
Step
5. Adjust the frame
6. Resize your video to ensure it fits well in the new landscape frame. Use the on-screen tools to drag your video or use pinch gestures to resize it within the frame.
Step
7. Enhance and export
8. Add any final touches like filters, text, or transitions if needed. Once satisfied, tap on "Export" to save your newly formatted landscape video to your device or share it directly on social media.
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Key features

• The app offers an intuitive interface that allows users of all skill levels to effectively resize and edit their videos.
• Provides presets tailored to the ideal video formats for various social media platforms.
• Quickly adjust your video to the perfect settings for different social platforms with just a single tap.
• Maintain visual consistency across platforms, saving time and enhancing your brand's online appearance.

Tips to capture the best landscape videos

Besides changing the video size, how you capture the footage matters a lot. Here are the best tips for capturing eye-catching landscape videos:

• Use proper lighting
• Lighting can make or break your video. For landscape videos, natural light works best. Try to film during twilight moments—shortly after sunrise or before sunset—when the light is softer and warmer. This adds a beautiful glow to your scenes and avoids the harsh shadows you get in the middle of the day.
• Stabilize your camera
• Shaky footage can distract from the beauty of your landscape scenes. You can use a tripod or a stabilizer to keep your camera steady. If you don’t have one, try to find a stable surface to rest your camera on.
• Frame your subject well
• The placement of your subject within the video frame significantly influences its visual impact. Employ the rule of thirds by visualizing your frame as divided into nine equal parts with two vertical and two horizontal lines. Position your main subject along these lines or their intersections to achieve a balanced and captivating composition.
• Maintain high resolution
• Always shoot in the highest resolution possible. High-resolution videos look more professional and are more engaging. They allow you to capture more detail, making your landscape scenes look sharper and more vivid.
• Focus on composition
• Composition is key to making your videos more visually appealing and memorable. Pay attention to the arrangement of elements in your scene. Look for lines, shapes, or patterns that can lead the viewer’s eye through the frame.

Conclusion

To sum up, converting your portrait videos to landscape format allows you to adapt your content for various viewing platforms and boost viewer engagement. With these tools, your transformed videos will exceed expectations and stand out wherever they’re displayed.

Among these, the CapCut desktop video editor stands out as the most effective choice, offering smooth transitions and high-quality results for converting portrait videos to landscape.

FAQs

1. Can I convert portrait video to landscape?
2. Yes, you can convert a portrait video to landscape. You can achieve this by using various video editing software, such as the CapCut desktop video editor, which allows you to adjust the video's orientation and aspect ratio. This tool offers cropping and auto reframing features to ensure it fits well within the landscape frame.
3. Does changing video orientation affect its quality?
4. Changing the orientation of a video, such as rotating from portrait to landscape, can affect its quality depending on how the video is edited. If the resolution and aspect ratio are preserved during the rotation process, there is typically no major loss in quality. However, issues like cropping or adding black bars can arise when switching between orientations. CapCut desktop video editor's user-friendly interface ensures that changing the orientation of your video, from portrait to landscape, does not compromise its quality.
5. Is there an instant way to change a video's aspect ratio?
6. Yes, there is an instant way to change a video's aspect ratio with the CapCut desktop video editor. The editor provides an auto-reframing option for resizing videos to fit different formats, ensuring a smooth transition and high-quality results in just a few clicks.