How to Make a Slideshow on TikTok: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

If you are wondering how to make a slideshow on TikTok, the short answer is that you pick a set of photos, put them in order, add a sound, and post. The app does the swiping or auto-advancing for you. This guide walks through the steps, the sizes to design for, and fixes for the problems people hit most.

You may also see this called a photo carousel, a photo post, or a photo mode post. Menus and labels can differ by app version, so if a button has a slightly different name on your phone, look for the closest match.

How to make a slideshow on TikTok: step by step

There are two common routes. One uses TikTok’s own photo post tools. The other uses a template or a video you build yourself. Start with the first, since it is the quickest.

Method 1: Make a slideshow with photos in the app

1. Open TikTok and tap the plus button. This opens the create screen.
2. Choose Photo mode or Upload. Depending on your version, you may see a Photo option next to the camera modes, or you may go through Upload and pick the Photos tab.
3. Select your images. Tap each photo in the order you want it to appear. The order usually shows as numbers on the thumbnails.
4. Tap Next. You will land on the editing screen.
5. Add music or a sound. Pick a sound from the library or search for one. Photo posts often play the sound over the whole set.
6. Add text, stickers or effects. Keep text short so it can be read in a second or two.
7. Check the playback style. Some versions let you choose between swiping manually and auto-advancing. Pick what fits your content.
8. Write a caption and add hashtags. Then choose who can see it.
9. Post. Or save it as a draft and come back to review it later.

Method 2: Use a template

If you want a ready-made look, try templates.

1. Tap the plus button to open the create screen.
2. Look for a templates or ideas option. The name and location vary.
3. Browse and pick a template that fits the number of photos you have.
4. Add your photos in the slots shown.
5. Review the preview, adjust the sound if needed, and post.

Templates are fast, but they set the timing and transitions for you. If you want more control, use Method 1 or Method 3.

Method 3: Build the slideshow as a video first

Some creators prefer to make the slideshow in a video editor, then upload it as a normal video. This gives you exact timing, custom transitions and branded text.

1. Design each slide as a vertical image.
2. Drop the slides into a video editor and set how long each one stays on screen.
3. Add transitions and music.
4. Export in a format TikTok accepts. Accepted video types are MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI.
5. Upload the file through the Upload option and post.

What size should TikTok slideshow images be?

TikTok is built for vertical viewing. Design your slides in 9:16 so they fill the screen on a phone.

Here is how the main shapes compare for video:

TikTok marks vertical as the recommended shape and gives only a minimum, which is 540 × 960 px or larger. Going larger than the minimum keeps text crisp. The platform’s official page does not state a single ideal larger size, so treat the minimum as a floor, not a target.

For more detail on video specs, see our TikTok video size page.

If you are building a slideshow as a video file, a few other limits matter. Maximum file size on the ads spec is 500 MB, maximum length is 10 minutes (Spark Ads: no duration restriction), and the minimum bitrate is 516 kbps. Those figures come from TikTok’s ad specs. Limits for regular organic uploads are not confirmed here, so check the in-app upload screen for what your account allows.

Tips for a slideshow people finish watching

Lead with your strongest slide

The first image decides whether someone keeps watching. Put your best photo or a clear hook line on slide one.

Keep text inside the middle of the frame

TikTok places the caption, buttons and username over the video. The exact safe area depends on the format and the caption, and TikTok does not give one simple number for it. Keep key text away from the very top, bottom and right edges, and preview the post before you publish.

Use one idea per slide

One photo, one short line. If a slide needs a paragraph, split it into two slides.

Keep the style consistent

Use the same font, text position and color treatment across slides. It makes the whole thing feel planned. If you want stylish text, our Instagram Fonts generator gives you fancy characters you can copy and paste into captions and overlays. Test them first, since some fonts do not display well everywhere.

Match the music to the pace

If your slides change quickly, choose a sound with a clear beat. For slower, more thoughtful sets, pick something calmer and give each slide more time.

Plan a closing slide

End with a clear next step, like asking people to follow, save the post, or visit a link in your bio.

Making slides for an app or product

Slideshows work well for showing off an app. You can walk through features one screen at a time. Use real screenshots, and consider placing them in a device frame with our iPhone Mockup Generator so they look polished. If you need to resize images to a vertical shape first, the Social Media Image Resizer can help.

Common problems and fixes

My photos are cropped or have black bars

This happens when the images are not vertical. Crop or resize each one to 9:16 before you add it. Square images will often show bars, and horizontal ones will show larger bars or get cropped.

My slideshow looks blurry

Low-resolution source images get stretched. Start with images at or above 540 × 960 px. Avoid screenshots of screenshots, and avoid heavily compressed files from messaging apps.

I cannot find the photo option

Features roll out at different times and menus change between app versions. Update the app first. If it still does not appear, try the Upload route and look for a Photos tab, or use Method 3 and upload a finished video.

The photos are in the wrong order

Order usually follows the order you tap them. Deselect everything and select again in the right sequence. Some versions let you reorder on the edit screen.

The music cuts off or does not fit

Try a different section of the sound, or pick a sound that matches the total length of your slideshow. If you are exporting from an editor, trim the audio to match your last slide.

My video upload fails

Check the file type against MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI. Then check size and length, and try a stable connection. Exporting again with a standard setting often solves it.

My text is hidden behind buttons or the caption

Move text toward the center of the frame and shorten your caption. Preview the post before publishing.

Using the same slides on other platforms

Once you have a set of vertical slides, you can often reuse them. Check the sizes on our Instagram Reels size page if you plan to post a video version there. For image-based carousels, see Instagram carousel size, since those use a different shape than TikTok’s vertical format.

Quick checklist before you post

• Every slide is vertical 9:16.
• Images are at or above 540 × 960 px.
• The first slide has a clear hook.
• Text is short and sits away from the edges.
• Music fits the pace.
• You previewed the whole thing once.

That is the whole process. Once you have made one, the next ones take a few minutes.