# Video ad specs cheat sheet (2026)

> Video ad sizes, lengths, file types, codecs and safe zones for Meta, YouTube Shorts, TikTok and LinkedIn in one table, read from each platform's own pages.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-06
- **Category**: Checklists
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-templates/video-ad-specs-cheat-sheet

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Make video ads in 9:16 as an MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio. On Meta, keep text out of the top 14%, the bottom 35% and 6% of each side.

Every spec below comes from the platform's own pages, checked 3 Nov 2026.

## Sizes and lengths

| Placement | Ratio | Size | Length | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels ads | 9:16 | 1440 x 2560 | 0 s to 15 min | MP4, MOV, up to 4 GB |
| Instagram Stories | 9:16 | 1440 x 2560 | 1 s to 60 min | MP4, MOV, GIF, up to 4 GB |
| Instagram Feed | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | 1 s to 60 min | MP4, MOV, GIF, up to 4 GB |
| Facebook Feed | 4:5 | 1440 x 1800 | 1 s to 241 min | MP4, MOV, GIF, up to 4 GB |
| Facebook Stories | 9:16 | 1440 x 2560 | 1 s to 3 min | MP4, MOV, GIF, up to 4 GB |
| YouTube Shorts ads | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920, at least 720 x 1280 | Up to 3 min, but only the first 60 s play in the Shorts feed | MP4 and others, under 256 GB |
| LinkedIn video ads | 4:5, 9:16, 16:9, 1:1 | 9:16 up to 1080 x 1920 | 3 s to 30 min | MP4, 75 KB to 500 MB |
| TikTok In-Feed ads | 9:16 | 540 x 960 or larger | 5 to 60 s | MP4, MOV and others, up to 500 MB |

Meta's sources are its [video ads guide](https://en-gb.facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video) pages. Google's are its [Shorts ads help page](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/16041697) and its video specs page.

- **Stories cards.** Instagram Stories ads under 16 seconds play in full. Longer ones may be split into up to three cards. Facebook Stories play in full at 15 seconds or less.
- **TikTok.** TikTok is blocked in India, so this row is for readers elsewhere. TikTok's pages did not load for us, so the row comes from search results of its spec pages. Its pages disagree on length, and some say up to 10 minutes. Check TikTok before you upload.
- **LinkedIn.** LinkedIn recommends 15 to 30 seconds. Upload an MP4 from a desktop.

## File and sound

| Platform | Video | Audio | Frame rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta | H.264, square pixels, progressive scan | Stereo AAC, 128 kbps or more | Fixed, no number given |
| YouTube uploads | H.264 High Profile in MP4 | AAC-LC stereo, 48 kHz | Same as the footage |
| Google Ads | MPG recommended. MP4, MOV, WebM and HEVC also accepted | Not specified | Not specified |
| LinkedIn | H.264 or VP8 | AAC or MPEG4 | Its two pages disagree |

No ad platform publishes a loudness target. Choose one level for all your ads.

## Safe zones

| Platform | What it publishes |
|---|---|
| Meta, Reels and Stories | Percentages: about 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% each side |
| YouTube Shorts ads | A template image with a "Safe Zone" box, and no numbers in the text |
| TikTok | Template files to download, and no numbers in the text |
| LinkedIn | No safe-zone guidance |

## A worked example

Say you make a 1080 x 1920 Reel ad. The pixel figures are our arithmetic on Meta's percentages, not Meta's numbers.

- Top margin: 14% of 1,920 = about 269 px.
- Bottom margin: 35% of 1,920 = 672 px.
- Side margin: 6% of 1,080 = about 65 px each.
- Safe box: 950 px wide (1,080 - 65 - 65) and 979 px tall (1,920 - 269 - 672).

## Check specs faster

Marxx's [AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) shows safe-zone overlays for Reels, Stories, Shorts and TikTok. Reframing for another placement is one request. We make Marxx.

Pick settings for your editor with the [export settings cheat sheet](/templates/export-settings-cheat-sheet). Check the finished file with the [Reels ad edit checklist](/templates/reels-ad-edit-checklist). To choose between 9:16 and 4:5, read [9:16 vs 4:5 video ads](/compare/9-16-vs-4-5-video-ads). For a new campaign, see [how to make Reels ads](/guides/how-to-make-reels-ads) and [TikTok ads vs Meta ads](/compare/tiktok-ads-vs-meta-ads).

## FAQ

### Which size should I make first?

Make 9:16 at 1080 x 1920 or larger. Meta lists 1440 x 2560 for Reels and Stories, and 4:5 only for Facebook Feed.

### How often do specs change?

Often. Treat this page as a starting point and read the platform's own page before a big upload.

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