# Instagram ad video size and specs

> Instagram video ads use 9:16 in Feed, Reels and Stories: 1080 x 1920 or 1440 x 2560, MP4 or MOV up to 4 GB. Sizes, lengths and text limits, checked 3 Nov 2026.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-05
- **Category**: Ad specs
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-guides/instagram-ad-video-size

---

Meta's guide lists 9:16 for all three Instagram placements: 1080 x 1920 in Feed and 1440 x 2560 in Reels and Stories (checked 3 Nov 2026). Files can be MP4 or MOV, up to 4 GB.

## Size by placement

| Item | Instagram Feed | Instagram Reels | Instagram Stories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (1% tolerance) | 9:16 | 9:16 (1% tolerance) |
| Recommended size | 1080 x 1920 | 1440 x 2560 | 1440 x 2560 |
| Minimum size | 250 px wide | 250 px wide under 30 s, 500 px at 30 s or longer | 250 px wide |
| File types | MP4, MOV, GIF | MP4, MOV | MP4, MOV, GIF |
| Max file size | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Length | 1 s to 60 min | 0 s to 15 min | 1 s to 60 min |
| Primary text | 125 characters | 44 characters | 125 characters |

Source: Meta's ad guide pages for [Instagram video ads](https://en-gb.facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video), each read on 3 Nov 2026. Each page lists its own recommended size.

## Encoding and sound

All three pages ask for H.264, square pixels, a fixed frame rate, progressive scan and stereo AAC audio at 128 kbps or more. Meta gives no frame rate number and no video bitrate.

Captions and sound are optional but recommended on every placement. The Reels page calls sound strongly recommended.

## Text and safe zone

On Reels and Stories, keep text and logos out of roughly 14% of the top, 35% of the bottom and 6% of each side. The profile icon and call to action cover those edges. See [the Reels safe zone](/guides/instagram-reels-safe-zone).

## Stories play differently

Instagram Stories videos under 16 seconds play in full. Videos of 16 seconds or longer may be split into one to three Stories cards. See [Instagram Story ad size](/guides/instagram-story-ad-size). For the Reels rules, see [Instagram Reels ad specs](/guides/instagram-reels-ad-specs).

## A worked example

Say your clip is landscape, 1920 x 1080.

1. A 9:16 frame cut from it is 1,080 x 9 / 16 = about 608 pixels wide and 1,080 tall.
2. That is smaller than 1080 x 1920, so an editor must scale it up.
3. Scaling up makes the picture softer.

So film vertical when you can. If you cannot, see [9:16 vs 4:5 video ads](/compare/9-16-vs-4-5-video-ads) for how Meta's sizes compare.

## Set it up in Marxx

[Marxx's AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) makes 9:16 projects with safe-zone overlays for Reels and Stories. Reframing a clip for another placement is one request. We make Marxx.

## FAQ

### What size should an Instagram video ad be?

9:16. Use 1080 x 1920 for Feed and 1440 x 2560 for Reels and Stories, per Meta's guide.

### What file types does Instagram accept for video ads?

MP4 and MOV on all three placements. Feed and Stories also take GIF.

### How long can an Instagram video ad be?

Feed and Stories allow 1 second to 60 minutes. Reels ads allow 0 seconds to 15 minutes.

---
- [More Ad specs articles](https://marxx.ai/library-guides/category/ad-specs)
- [All articles](https://marxx.ai/library-guides)