How to Get 9X16, Portrait, Vertical Videos Every Time
Veo 3 is one of the most powerful AI video generators on the planet — but there’s just one problem: by default, it creates landscape (16:9) videos. That’s great for YouTube, but if you’re planning to post to TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, you’ll want clean vertical (9:16) video. It’s essential for AI UGC Videos.
There are two highly effective ways to convert Veo 3 outputs into vertical format — and both are beginner-friendly.
Method 1: Use Dream Machine’s Editor To Reframe Landscape Videos
The easiest way to convert your Veo videos to vertical without losing visual quality is by using Dream Machine by Luma Labs.
Here’s how:
Step-by-step:
Sign up for Luma’s paid plan (currently $29/month).
Go to the Editor tab inside Dream Machine.
Upload your Veo-generated landscape video.
- Click “Reframe” in the bottom toolbar
Choose the 9:16 aspect ratio. (Usually selected by default)
No need to type a prompt, just hit enter, and The Dream Machine will get to work!
- After a few minutes, your video will be perfectly resized, while maintaining perspective and quality! Hit download when you’re happy with the result.
Why it works for generating vertical, 9×16 videos in veo 3:
Luma’s AI reframing intelligently follows the subject of your video and crops around it. You retain all the cinematic quality of Veo 3’s generation — just in a TikTok-ready vertical format.
Method 2: Force Vertical Format With Prompt Engineering
If you’d rather generate videos in vertical mode directly from Veo, prompt engineering is your friend.
You can describe the camera orientation, aspect ratio, and framing explicitly in the prompt, and Veo will usually follow instructions.
Here’s how to do it properly:
Tips to improve success:
Add “recorded in portrait mode (9:16)” at the start and end of the prompt.
Remind it to not simulate vertical format by rotating horizontal footage.
Reinforce camera behavior: “The camera must be physically vertical.”
If stitching multiple scenes, repeat the orientation line in every part of your prompt.
By default, Veo 3 generates cinematic 16:9 horizontal videos. But if you want vertical videos for TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts, you need to force it to understand that from the beginning — and that means prompting it very deliberately.
Here’s exactly how to do it:
Add this to every single scene prompt you write:
This is a real smartphone video recorded vertically in portrait mode (9:16).
The camera is physically vertical — not rotated or simulated from a horizontal shot.
Do NOT crop or reframe landscape footage.
Everything should be naturally framed for a vertical canvas from the start.
No black bars, no UI, no text, no captions, no overlays.
The camera remains steady and focused on the subject.
This video is made for TikTok or Instagram Reels and must look like native vertical footage.
Copy and paste that block at the end of every Veo prompt.
Why This Works for generating portrait mode, 9×16 videos in veo 3
Veo doesn’t have a “vertical mode” toggle yet, so it relies entirely on your instructions. But just saying “make it vertical” isn’t enough.
You need to:
Be explicit that the video was recorded in portrait mode — not cropped, not simulated.
Tell it the camera was physically vertical — this prevents Veo from rotating horizontal footage.
Emphasize that everything must be composed for vertical — including movement, framing, and subject placement.
Say it’s for TikTok or Instagram Reels — this helps guide the style and layout.
If You’re Stitching Multiple Clips
Repeat the vertical block in every part of the multi-part prompt.
Even if it’s just scene 2 or 3, add the same lines again. Veo treats each scene as its own generation and may default back to 16:9 if you don’t reinforce the format every time.
Bonus Tips to get vertical videos every time on Veo3
Avoid phrases like “cinematic” or “wide shot” unless you clarify it’s composed for vertical. Otherwise, Veo defaults to 16:9.
If you want close-up shots, specify things like “tight framing” or “centred in vertical frame.”
For voiceovers, mention which character is speaking and ensure their face is visible and centred when talking.
Keep in mind, you cannot generate NSFW videos in veo3.
Which Method Is Better To Get 9:16 Videos on Veo3?
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Dream Machine Editor | High-quality, consistent results | $29/month |
| Prompting Veo 3 | Free, fast, direct | Can sometimes ignore orientation |
If you want full control and don’t mind paying, Luma’s reframing is the most reliable. But if you’re experimenting or on a budget, prompting Veo 3 directly can still give solid results — as long as you’re precise.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re creating cinematic TikToks or running vertical ad campaigns, converting Veo 3 videos to 9:16 is a must.
Use the Dream Machine editor for flawless cropping — or prompt Veo like a pro to generate vertical-first content from the start. Either way, you’ll be ready to dominate feeds with stunning AI-generated video.
