Sora 2 API Parameters Explained: Complete Technical Guide

Understanding Sora 2's API parameters is crucial for gaining precise control over your AI-generated videos. This guide breaks down every parameter based on OpenAI's official documentation.

Core Parameters Overview

Sora 2's API provides several key parameters that control different aspects of video generation:

The Prompt Parameter

The most important parameter - your creative vision translated into text.

Best Practices:

• Be specific: "A woman in her 30s" vs "a person"
• Structure clearly: Subject → Action → Camera → Lighting → Style
• Use visual language: Describe what you see, not what you want to happen
• Balance detail: Too vague = poor results, too detailed = constrains creativity

Example:

{
  "prompt": "A confident chef in a white uniform dicing vegetables on a wooden cutting board. Close-up shot at 45-degree angle, shallow depth of field. Bright kitchen lighting with warm afternoon sunlight streaming through window. Professional culinary video style, shot on 4K."
}

Resolution Parameter

Controls output dimensions and aspect ratio.

Available Options:

• 1920x1080 (16:9): Standard HD, best for YouTube, TV
• 1080x1920 (9:16): Vertical format, perfect for TikTok, Reels, Shorts
• 1080x1080 (1:1): Square format, ideal for Instagram feed
• Custom: Other aspect ratios for specific use cases

Choosing the Right Resolution:

• Social media: Use 9:16 vertical for mobile-first platforms
• Professional content: Use 16:9 for traditional video
• Instagram: Use 1:1 for feed posts, 9:16 for stories/reels

Pro Tip: Always choose resolution based on your distribution platform. Vertical video performs 2x better on mobile platforms.

Duration Parameter

Specifies video length in seconds (1-60 seconds for Sora 2).

Duration Guidelines:

• 5-10 seconds: Quick social media clips, single action
• 15-30 seconds: Standard social posts, multiple actions
• 30-60 seconds: Complex narratives, product demos

Impact on Generation:

• Shorter videos (5-15s): Faster generation, more consistent quality
• Longer videos (30-60s): Slower generation, potential quality variation

Example:

{
  "prompt": "Sunset over ocean waves...",
  "duration": 15,
  "resolution": "1920x1080"
}

Loop Parameter

Creates seamless looping videos where the end connects perfectly to the beginning.

When to Use Loop:

✅ Background videos for websites ✅ Ambient content (nature, abstract) ✅ Product showcases (rotating items) ✅ Animated textures and patterns

When NOT to Use:

❌ Narrative content with clear progression ❌ Videos with dialogue ❌ Action-based sequences with definite start/end

Technical Note: Loop parameter optimizes the generation algorithm to ensure the final frame transitions smoothly back to the first frame.

Image Input Parameter

Provides a reference image to guide visual consistency.

Use Cases:

1. Character Consistency Upload an image of your character to maintain appearance across multiple video generations.

2. Art Direction Provide a mood board image to establish color palette and aesthetic.

3. Product Videos Upload product photo to ensure accurate representation in generated video.

4. Location Reference Share a location image to match specific environment details.

Best Practices:

• Use high-quality images (min 1080p)
• Clear, well-lit photographs work best
• Single subject focus is ideal
• Avoid cluttered or busy images

Advanced Parameter Combinations

Combination 1: Vertical Social Media Clip

{
  "prompt": "Barista making latte art, close-up on cup, bright cafe lighting",
  "resolution": "1080x1920",
  "duration": 12,
  "loop": false
}

Combination 2: Seamless Background Video

{
  "prompt": "Abstract colorful liquid swirls, smooth flowing motion, vibrant colors",
  "resolution": "1920x1080",
  "duration": 30,
  "loop": true
}

Combination 3: Product Showcase with Reference

{
  "prompt": "360-degree rotation of smartwatch, clean white background, studio lighting",
  "resolution": "1080x1080",
  "duration": 10,
  "loop": true,
  "image_input": "smartwatch_reference.jpg"
}

Common Parameter Mistakes

Mistake 1: Wrong Resolution for Platform

❌ Using 16:9 for TikTok ✅ Use 9:16 for vertical mobile platforms

Mistake 2: Duration Too Long for Prompt Complexity

❌ 60-second video with simple 5-word prompt ✅ Match prompt detail to video duration

Mistake 3: Enabling Loop for Narrative Content

❌ Loop enabled for story-based video ✅ Loop only for ambient/abstract content

Mistake 4: Low-Quality Reference Images

❌ Blurry or small reference images ✅ High-resolution, clear reference photos

Testing Framework

When experimenting with parameters:

1. Start with defaults: Standard resolution, 15s duration
2. Test one parameter at a time: Isolate variable effects
3. Document results: Note which combinations work best
4. Build a library: Save successful parameter configurations

Platform-Specific Recommendations

For TikTok/Reels:

{
  "resolution": "1080x1920",
  "duration": 15,
  "loop": false
}

For YouTube Content:

{
  "resolution": "1920x1080",
  "duration": 30-60,
  "loop": false
}

For Website Backgrounds:

{
  "resolution": "1920x1080",
  "duration": 20-30,
  "loop": true
}

Using PromptVid with API Parameters

PromptVid helps you:

1. Analyze TikTok videos to determine optimal parameters
2. Get recommended resolution and duration for your use case
3. Generate optimized prompts that work with your chosen parameters
4. Compare results across different parameter configurations

Conclusion

Mastering Sora 2's API parameters gives you precise control over your video generation:

• Prompt: Your creative vision
• Resolution: Platform optimization
• Duration: Content pacing
• Loop: Seamless playback
• Image Input: Visual consistency

Start with PromptVid to analyze successful videos, then use these parameters to recreate and optimize for your specific needs!