Vertical video ad specs for Meta Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts (2026)

The short answer

Export a vertical 9:16 MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio, at 1080 × 1920 pixels or higher. Keep your text, logo and call to action in the middle of the frame, away from the top and bottom edges. Aim for a 10 to 15 second cut to start with. That one file meets the published specs for all three platforms below.

At a glance

Spec	Meta Reels ads	TikTok In-Feed (non-Spark)	YouTube Shorts ads
Aspect ratio	9:16 recommended	9:16 recommended (16:9 and 1:1 accepted)	9:16 recommended (horizontal and square supported)
Resolution	1440 × 2560 recommended	At least 540 × 960	1080 × 1920
File	MP4, MOV or GIF; H.264, fixed frame rate, stereo AAC at 128 kbps or more	MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP or AVI; up to 500 MB; at least 516 kbps	Must be uploaded to YouTube first (public or unlisted)
Length	Instagram Reels ads up to 15 minutes	Up to 10 minutes	Up to 3 minutes; under 60 seconds recommended
Safe area	Keep about 14% top, 35% bottom and 6% each side clear	Use TikTok’s safe-zone files; they vary with caption length	Keep text, logos and calls to action in the centre

Instagram and Facebook Reels (Meta)

Meta’s Ads Guide pages for Instagram Reels and Facebook Reels recommend a 9:16 ratio at 1440 × 2560 pixels, in MP4 or MOV with H.264 compression, a fixed frame rate and stereo AAC audio at 128 kbps or more. Captions are optional but recommended. Instagram Reels ads can run up to 15 minutes.

Reels ads sit full screen between organic reels, and the profile icon, caption and call-to-action button cover parts of the video. Meta suggests leaving roughly the top 14%, the bottom 35% and 6% on each side free of text, logos and other key elements.

TikTok In-Feed ads

TikTok’s Auction In-Feed Ads specs (last updated June 2026) recommend vertical 9:16 at 540 × 960 pixels or more for non-Spark ads, and also accept 16:9 from 960 × 540 and 1:1 from 640 × 640. Files can be MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP or AVI, up to 500 MB, with a bitrate of at least 516 kbps and a length of up to 10 minutes.

The ad caption appears in a fixed white font and can’t include clickable links, @ mentions or hashtags. The display name shows on one line, up to 20 characters. TikTok says the safe zone depends on the video’s shape and the length of your caption, and publishes downloadable safe-zone files on the same page. Spark Ads, which boost an existing organic post, follow the post’s own caption and length.

YouTube Shorts ads

Google’s Shorts ads asset specs say the video must already be on YouTube, set to public or unlisted. Vertical 9:16 video is recommended, and Google’s video ad specs list 1080 × 1920 pixels for vertical assets.

Shorts ads can be up to 3 minutes long. Google recommends keeping them under 60 seconds, because only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed, and suggests 10 to 30 seconds for action-oriented ads.

How long should your ad be?

All three platforms accept long videos, but the official guidance leans short. Google recommends 15 seconds for its standard vertical, square and horizontal video assets, and 10 to 30 seconds for action-focused Shorts ads. In practice, a 10 to 15 second ad that shows the product and the offer in the first two or three seconds is a sensible first test. Then try more hooks rather than longer videos.

Make one master that works everywhere

Edit at 1080 × 1920 (or 1440 × 2560 if your source footage is sharp enough).
Keep text, the product and your logo inside the centre of the frame, clear of the top 14% and bottom 35%.
Burn in captions, since many people watch with the sound off, and keep them large enough to read on a phone.
Export H.264 MP4 at a fixed frame rate with stereo AAC audio.
Upload it to each platform and check the preview with the real interface on top before you publish.
If any part is AI-generated, make sure it doesn’t mislead, and follow each platform’s AI-content settings.

Quick checklist

9:16, at least 1080 × 1920
H.264 MP4, fixed frame rate, AAC audio
Text and logo clear of the top 14% and bottom 35%
Captions burned in and readable on a phone
A first cut of about 10 to 15 seconds
Uploaded to YouTube (public or unlisted) before using it for Shorts ads
TikTok caption with no links, @ mentions or hashtags
Previewed in each platform before launch

FAQ

What size should a vertical video ad be?

Use 9:16. Meta recommends 1440 × 2560 pixels for Reels ads, Google lists 1080 × 1920 for vertical YouTube video ads, and TikTok asks for at least 540 × 960. A 1080 × 1920 master is accepted by all three, and you can export a higher-resolution copy for Meta if you have one.

How long should a short video ad be?

The platforms allow long videos but recommend short ones. Google recommends 15 seconds for its standard video assets and 10 to 30 seconds for action-focused Shorts ads, and says Shorts ads under 60 seconds match how people watch. A 10 to 15 second cut is a sensible place to start testing.

Can I use the same video on Reels, TikTok and Shorts?

Usually yes, if it is 9:16 and your text, logo and call to action sit in the middle of the frame. Each app covers different parts of the screen with its own buttons and captions, so check the ad in each platform's preview before it goes live.

Where are the safe zones on a 9:16 ad?

Meta suggests keeping roughly the top 14%, the bottom 35% and 6% on each side free of text and logos on Reels. TikTok publishes downloadable safe-zone files that change with caption length. Keeping key elements in the centre of the frame works for all three.

Do AI-generated video ads need a label?

There is no blanket UK legal requirement, but an ad must not mislead, and each platform has its own AI-content rules. Our separate guide on labelling AI-generated ads covers the ASA position.

Official sources

Specs change often. Check the pages above before you export your final files.