What lengths can SDMini generate?

5, 8, or 10 seconds per clip. Ten seconds is the maximum for a single render; for longer videos, combine clips in an editor.

Which length is best for TikTok or Reels?

5 seconds works well for punchy, looping feed clips. Use 8 or 10 when one action needs more room to play out.

Can I make a video longer than 10 seconds?

Not in a single clip. Generate several clips and stitch them together in an editor to build something longer.

Does a longer clip cost more?

Longer renders use more of your credits, so 5 seconds is the most efficient length for testing prompts before committing to a final clip.

Basics · 4 min

AI Video Duration Guide: Choosing 5, 8, or 10 Seconds

Choosing the right AI video duration shapes the pacing of your clip and how much you spend per render. SDMini lets you generate at 5, 8, or 10 seconds with Seedance Mini, and the best length depends on the action, the platform, and how the clip fits into a larger edit. Setting it before you generate means the model paces the motion for that window.

This guide breaks down what each length is good for, how duration affects pacing, and a simple rule for picking quickly so you stop overthinking it.

5 seconds: punchy and efficient

Five seconds is the workhorse. It is enough to show one clear action or a single camera move, and it loops well in fast-scrolling feeds. For social hooks, product flashes, and B-roll beats you will cut into a longer edit, 5 seconds is usually the right call.

It is also the most efficient length, so it is the smart choice while you test prompts. Iterate on 5 second clips to find the look you want, then commit a longer render only once the concept is proven.

8 seconds: room for a fuller moment

Eight seconds gives an action space to develop. A slow push-in can build, a subject can complete a gesture, or a small scene can breathe without feeling rushed. It is a good middle ground when 5 feels clipped but you do not need a full 10.

Use 8 seconds for standalone social posts that need a touch more weight, or for a hero clip on a page where you want the viewer to settle into the shot before it ends.

10 seconds: the longest single clip

Ten seconds is the maximum length for a single clip, and it is best when the motion genuinely needs the time: a slow reveal, a sweeping camera move, or a scene with a beginning and an end. It works well as a standalone post or the centerpiece of an edit.

Remember that 10 seconds is the ceiling. For anything longer, generate multiple clips and join them in an editor. Trying to pack a whole story into one clip leads to a rushed, muddy result, so think in beats instead.

A simple rule for picking

Default to 5 seconds for testing and for feed content. Step up to 8 when one clean action needs a little more room. Reserve 10 for a clip where the motion is the whole point and deserves to play out.

For pacing across a sequence, mix lengths: a few 5 second beats with one 10 second hero shot creates rhythm. Decide the length before generating so the model times the motion to fill the window rather than racing or stalling.

SDMini

Frequently asked questions

What lengths can SDMini generate?: 5, 8, or 10 seconds per clip. Ten seconds is the maximum for a single render; for longer videos, combine clips in an editor.
Which length is best for TikTok or Reels?: 5 seconds works well for punchy, looping feed clips. Use 8 or 10 when one action needs more room to play out.
Can I make a video longer than 10 seconds?: Not in a single clip. Generate several clips and stitch them together in an editor to build something longer.
Does a longer clip cost more?: Longer renders use more of your credits, so 5 seconds is the most efficient length for testing prompts before committing to a final clip.