Short answer: a Spotify Canvas is a short looping vertical video, 3 to 8 seconds, 9:16, 720–1080 pixels tall, MP4 or JPG, uploaded through Spotify for Artists. You can generate the clip with an AI video tool, but you need to meet Spotify's specs and content rules, and the clip should loop cleanly. A lip-synced music video is the wrong format: Spotify's guidance says to avoid footage of people talking, singing or rapping. Updated October 14, 2026.
How we checked: Canvas specs and rules come from Spotify's own Spotify for Artists and support pages, read October 14, 2026. Tool prices and features come from each vendor's own pages. We did not generate a Canvas in every tool, and anything we could not confirm is marked.
Spotify's Canvas requirements
| Requirement | What Spotify says |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 to 8 seconds |
| Aspect ratio | Vertical, 9:16 |
| Resolution | 720 to 1080 pixels tall |
| Format | MP4 or JPG |
| Not specified | Spotify's pages state no file-size limit, frame rate or minimum width, so do not rely on figures quoted elsewhere |
Content rules
- The clip must follow Spotify's Platform Rules or it is removed.
- It cannot sell or heavily promote anything, link out, or ask for follows.
- Any text on screen must relate to the track.
- No brands or contests.
- Mark the Canvas explicit if it contains profanity, violence, drugs or sexual content.
Design guidance
Spotify advises against footage of people talking, singing or rapping, against rapid cuts and against flashing. It warns that edges may be cropped on some phones, so keep important content centred. It describes three loop styles: continuous, hard cut and rebound.
Who can upload
The first main artist on the track, the main artist on both the track and the release, or someone with the Admin or Editor role can upload a Canvas, through Spotify for Artists on the web or in the mobile app. Spotify's official pages do not describe a distributor route.
Tools people use to make a Canvas
| Tool | Fit for a Canvas | Free option and watermark | Commercial use (as listed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | General clip generator; produces short clips | 125 one-time credits; free exports are watermarked, removed on Standard ($15/month, $12 billed yearly) | Not stated on its pricing page |
| Pika | General clip generator | No monthly credits on Free, credit packs only; no watermark on any plan | No on Free and Starter ($10/month); yes from Creator ($35/month) |
| Kapwing | Editor; trim and loop a clip | Watermark, 720p, 4-minute exports | AI output yes; you must hold rights to any music |
| CapCut | Editor; loop and crop | Free editor | Only assets marked commercial |
| Suno cover-art loops | Short vertical loop, up to about 10 seconds per its release notes | Free plan has no commercial rights | Paid plans only |
A Suno loop of about 10 seconds is longer than Canvas allows, so trim it to 8 seconds or less. And a lip-synced music video from any tool (including StarSinger) is not what Spotify recommends for Canvas, so use a looping, non-singing visual instead.
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A workable process
- Pick a loop type. Continuous loops (the last frame leads into the first) feel best at 3 to 8 seconds.
- Generate or shoot a vertical 9:16 clip in a tool above, avoiding faces singing, fast cuts and flashes.
- Trim to 8 seconds or less and export as MP4 at 720–1080 pixels tall.
- Check the licence and watermark on the tool's plan before you upload; a watermarked free export is not suitable.
- Upload in Spotify for Artists as the artist, or with Admin or Editor access.
If you want a full-length video as well as a Canvas, see best AI music video generators.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Spotify Canvas?
Vertical 9:16, 720 to 1080 pixels tall, 3 to 8 seconds, as an MP4 or JPG, according to Spotify's official pages.
Can I use an AI-generated video as a Spotify Canvas?
We found no AI-specific rule on Spotify's Canvas pages, and the clip must meet the specs and the Platform Rules. Check Spotify's current policies before uploading.
How do I upload a Canvas?
Through Spotify for Artists, on the web or in the mobile app, as the first main artist on the track, the main artist on both track and release, or someone with the Admin or Editor role.
Can a distributor upload my Canvas?
Spotify's official Canvas pages do not describe a distributor route, so we cannot confirm it. Check with your distributor.