# What is video resolution?

> Video resolution is the picture size in pixels. See what 1080p means, the sizes Meta and Google recommend for vertical ads and a worked pixel example.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-07
- **Category**: Video editing
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/video-resolution

---

Video resolution is the size of the picture in pixels, written width x height. For vertical ads, 1080 x 1920 is the usual starting point, and Meta's guide recommends 1440 x 2560 for Reels and Stories.

## The formula

Pixels = width x height

## A worked example

Say you compare two Reels sizes.

- 1,080 x 1,920 = **2,073,600 pixels**.
- 1,440 x 2,560 = **3,686,400 pixels**.

3,686,400 / 2,073,600 = about **1.78 times** more pixels. The bigger file carries more detail and takes more data.

## What platforms recommend

| Placement | Recommended size | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels ads | 1440 x 2560 | Meta ads guide |
| Instagram Stories ads | 1440 x 2560 | Meta ads guide |
| Instagram Feed ads | 1080 x 1920 | Meta ads guide |
| Facebook Feed ads | 1440 x 1800 (4:5) | Meta ads guide |
| YouTube Shorts ads | 1080 x 1920, minimum 720 x 1280 | Google Ads help |

Checked 3 Nov 2026. Meta's pages differ by placement, so use the number on the page for your placement. Meta's [video ads guide](https://en-gb.facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video) lists them. Its minimum for Reels is 250 pixels wide under 30 seconds.

## What 1080p means

"1080p" means 1080 pixels on the short side. A vertical 1080 x 1920 video is 1080p too. Organic YouTube Shorts allow a maximum of 1080p.

Marxx's [AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) exports up to 1080p. That is above Meta's minimum width for Reels ads. We make Marxx.

If your footage is smaller than the size you need, see [AI video upscaling](/glossary/ai-video-upscaling). For shape, see [9:16 vs 4:5 video ads](/compare/9-16-vs-4-5-video-ads).

## FAQ

### Is higher resolution always better?

Not always. It adds detail and file size. Match it to the placement and to your source footage.

### What resolution for Instagram Reels?

Meta's Reels ad page recommends 1440 x 2560. Its Instagram Feed page lists 1080 x 1920.

### Is 4K needed for ads?

The Meta and Google pages above recommend sizes below 4K for vertical ads.

---
- [More Video editing articles](https://marxx.ai/library-glossary/category/video-editing)
- [All articles](https://marxx.ai/library-glossary)