Veo 3.1 wants a start image of 720p or higher, shaped 16:9 or 9:16, no larger than 8 MB. Those are the provider's terms: fal's documentation for Veo 3.1 image-to-video says the image "should be 720p or higher resolution in 16:9 or 9:16 aspect ratio", accepts "input images up to 8MB in size", and crops anything else "to fit" (fal, Veo 3.1 image-to-video API, checked 2026-09-29). Size is the one that stops a run. The shape costs you composition rather than the run.
TL;DR
- Minimum 720p. A 1024 x 1024 square is too small.
- 16:9 or 9:16, or it gets cropped. A 4:3 or square image is cut to fit, so keep the subject away from the edges.
- 8 MB maximum at the provider. On 8frame larger images are resized for you.
- Vertical catch on 8frame: the check currently asks for at least 1280 px wide and 720 px tall in every orientation, so a vertical start image must be at least 1280 px wide (for example 1440 x 2560). A 720 x 1280 image is refused.
- Same rules on all three tiers: Veo 3.1, Fast and Lite.
The requirements, in one table
| Requirement | Veo 3.1 (provider) | On 8frame |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720p or higher | At least 1280 px wide and 720 px tall |
| Shape | 16:9 or 9:16; other shapes are cropped | Same |
| File size | Up to 8 MB | Larger images are resized for you |
| Format | Not stated by fal | JPG and PNG are sent; WebP, AVIF and similar are converted for you |
Why a vertical image fails on 8frame
fal's wording, "720p or higher in 16:9 or 9:16", reads as 720 x 1280 being acceptable for vertical video. 8frame's own check is stricter today: it tests width against 1280 and height against 720 whatever the orientation. A vertical image therefore needs a width of at least 1280 px, which in 9:16 means 1280 x 2276 or larger. If you are making vertical Veo clips, export the start frame at 1440 x 2560 and it clears both.
Composing for the crop
Anything that is not 16:9 or 9:16 is cropped to fit. Two consequences:
- Square and 4:3 images lose their edges. A product centred with generous margins survives; a logo in the corner may not.
- Pick the output shape before you make the start image. If the clip is for Reels or TikTok, build the start frame in 9:16 rather than letting a landscape image be cut down. More on shapes in AI video aspect ratios.
Too small: the fixes
- Generate the start image larger. Set the image model's output to at least 1280 px on the short side for vertical, or 1280 x 720 for landscape.
- Upscale it first. On the canvas, run the image through an upscaler, then into Veo. Clarity and Topaz both enlarge stills.
- Or use a model with a lower minimum. Kling and Happy Horse take 300 x 300; the full list is in upload limits by model.
What each tier costs
Credits on 8frame, where a credit is about $0.01 at pack rate:
| Tier | Clip | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Veo 3.1 Lite | 4 s with audio | 27 |
| Veo 3.1 Lite | 8 s with audio | 54 |
| Veo 3.1 Lite | 8 s silent | 33 |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | 8 s with audio | 168 |
| Veo 3.1 Fast | 8 s silent | 112 |
| Veo 3.1 | 8 s with audio | 448 |
| Veo 3.1 | 8 s silent | 224 |
Test a start image on Lite before committing it to Standard: the start-image rules are the same on every tier, so a 27-credit Lite run tells you whether the image works. Details in Veo 3 pricing explained.
FAQ
What size image does Veo 3.1 need for image to video? 720p or higher, 16:9 or 9:16, up to 8 MB, per fal's documentation. On 8frame the image must currently be at least 1280 px wide and 720 px tall.
Why does Veo reject my vertical image? On 8frame the check requires 1280 px of width in every orientation. Export vertical start frames at 1440 x 2560 or larger.
Does Veo 3.1 crop my image? Yes, if it is not 16:9 or 9:16. Keep important detail away from the edges, or make the start image in the output shape.
Is a failed Veo run charged? No. On 8frame failed generations are refunded automatically.
Make the start frame big enough and in the right shape, and Veo does the rest. The 8frame canvas is free and unlimited, and generation is paid from $19/month.