# Instagram Story ad size and specs

> Instagram Story video ads are 9:16 at 1440 x 2560, MP4, MOV or GIF up to 4 GB. How Stories cards split, safe-zone margins in pixels, checked 3 Nov 2026.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-05
- **Category**: Ad specs
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-guides/instagram-story-ad-size

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Instagram Story video ads are 9:16 at 1440 x 2560, as MP4, MOV or GIF up to 4 GB (checked 3 Nov 2026). Keep text out of the top 14%, bottom 35% and each side's 6%.

## The specs

| Item | Instagram Stories | Facebook Stories |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (1% tolerance) | 9:16 (1% tolerance) |
| Recommended size | 1440 x 2560 | 1440 x 2560 |
| Minimum size | 250 px wide | 250 px wide |
| File types | MP4, MOV, GIF | MP4, MOV, GIF |
| Max file size | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Length | 1 second to 60 minutes | 1 second to 3 minutes |
| Primary text | 125 characters | 125 characters |
| Headline | Not on the page | 40 characters |

Source: Meta's ad guide pages for [Instagram Stories](https://en-gb.facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video/instagram-story) and Facebook Stories. Meta asks for H.264, a fixed frame rate and stereo AAC audio at 128 kbps or more. Captions and sound are optional but recommended.

## How Stories cards split

- Instagram Stories videos under 16 seconds play in full.
- Videos of 16 seconds or longer may be split into one to three Stories cards, tailored to each viewer.
- Facebook Stories videos of 15 seconds or less play in full. Longer ones are split into cards.

So put the offer in the first 15 seconds. Do not rely on a call to action at second 20.

## Safe zone

Meta's Stories pages give three margins. Keep 14% of the top, 35% of the bottom and 6% of each side clear of text and logos. The profile icon and call to action cover the edges.

One search summary of the Instagram guide gave 14% (250 pixels) at the top and 20% (340 pixels) at the bottom. When we re-read the page, it said 14%, 35% and 6%. A snippet of a Meta help page on carousel ads in Facebook Stories also mentions about 14% (250 pixels) at the top and bottom. Treat 14%, 35% and 6% as the current figure.

## A worked example

Say your Story is 1440 x 2560.

- Top margin: 14% of 2,560 = about 358 px.
- Bottom margin: 35% of 2,560 = 896 px.
- Side margins: 6% of 1,440 = about 86 px each.

That leaves a text area about 1,268 px wide and 1,306 px tall (2,560 - 358 - 896). The pixel figures are our arithmetic, not Meta's numbers.

## Stories steps

1. Set your project to 9:16.
2. Draw guides at the margins above.
3. Put the hook and offer in the first 15 seconds.
4. Export MP4 with H.264 and AAC audio.

[Marxx's AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) has safe-zone overlays for Stories. Reframing for another placement is one request. We make Marxx. For all three Instagram placements, see [Instagram ad video size](/guides/instagram-ad-video-size). For the margins on their own, see [Reels safe zone](/guides/instagram-reels-safe-zone).

## FAQ

### What size is an Instagram Story ad?

9:16. Meta recommends 1440 x 2560 pixels.

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

Meta lists 1 second to 60 minutes. Videos of 16 seconds or longer may be split into cards.

### Can I use the same video for Reels and Stories?

Both are 9:16 at 1440 x 2560 and share the safe-zone margins. Check the length rules for each placement.

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