Video ad specs for Reels, TikTok and Shorts (2026 cheat sheet)
By Venkata Vamsi · Updated · 6 min read
Short answer
Make one master file at 1080 x 1920 pixels, 9:16, H.264 MP4, 15 to 30 seconds, and it will run on Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Keep text and faces out of roughly the top 14% and bottom 35% of the frame and about 6% on each side, because platform buttons and captions cover those areas. Check each platform's own safe-zone template before launch, since they change.
Every platform publishes its own spec page, and they all say slightly different things. In practice you can make one vertical file that works everywhere if you design to the strictest rules. This is the cheat sheet we use for every ad Addy renders, checked against the platforms' help pages and current guides in October 2026.
Specs change several times a year. Treat the numbers below as a starting point and confirm against Ads Manager before a big launch.
What are the video ad specs for each platform?
| Instagram / Facebook Reels | TikTok In-Feed | YouTube Shorts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 | 9:16 recommended (16:9 and 1:1 allowed) | 9:16 |
| Recommended size | 1080 x 1920 | 1080 x 1920 (minimum 540 x 960) | 1080 x 1920 |
| File type | MP4 or MOV, H.264 | MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI | MP4 or MOV |
| Max file size | 4 GB | 500 MB | Large; not a practical limit |
| Length | Up to about 90 seconds for Reels ads | Up to 10 minutes; 9 to 30 seconds is typical | Up to 60 seconds for Shorts ads |
| Sound | On by default, plan for muted viewers | On by default | On by default |
Sources for TikTok come from its Ads Manager help page; Meta numbers are from its Ads Guide and widely used 2026 guides. Shorts length limits for ads have changed more than once, so check your Google Ads campaign type.
What are the safe zones for vertical video ads?
The safe zone is the part of the screen no button, caption or profile name covers. Put your hook text, product and the speaker's face inside it.
- Top: keep about 14% clear. Account names, the Sponsored label and the progress bar sit here.
- Bottom: keep about 35% clear. The caption, call-to-action button and music label live here. Meta suggests 40% if you add a disclaimer.
- Sides: keep about 6% clear, and more on the right, where the like, comment and share buttons stack up.
TikTok does not publish one fixed pixel safe zone; it depends on caption length and ad features, and it offers downloadable templates. Meta has a safe zone overlay in Ads Manager. Use both before you export a final.
The practical rule: hook text in the upper third, below the top 14%. That is where Addy places burned-in hooks on every render.
How should you export one file for all three platforms?
Export a single master and reuse it:
- 1080 x 1920, 9:16, 30 fps. Higher frame rates add file size without helping most ads.
- H.264 video, AAC audio, MP4. The most widely accepted combination.
- Bitrate around 8 to 12 Mbps. Plenty for phone screens, well under every size limit.
- Burned-in captions. Do not rely on auto-captions; they cover the bottom area and are not always on.
- No platform watermark. Do not reupload a TikTok download with its logo to Reels. Instagram has said it deprioritises watermarked content.
If you make ads with AI, render at 720p or above and upscale to 1080 x 1920 in the final encode. More on that trade-off in AI video resolution for Reels.
What length works best for short-form video ads?
Platform limits are long; attention is not. For a first test, 15 to 20 seconds is a good default: long enough for hook, problem, product and call to action, short enough that a decent share of viewers reach the end.
Go longer (30 to 60 seconds) when the product needs explaining or when a shorter version already wins and you want to test more depth. Story-driven formats like a Netflix doc opener or a podcast clip can hold 30 seconds if the hook is strong.
Whatever the length, the first 3 seconds decide most of the result. See what to put in the first 3 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
+What size should a Reels ad be?
1080 x 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio, as MP4 or MOV with H.264. Keep text out of roughly the top 14% and bottom 35% of the frame.
+What is the best length for a TikTok ad?
TikTok allows in-feed ads up to 10 minutes, but 9 to 30 seconds is typical. Start with 15 to 20 seconds and put the hook in the first 2 seconds.
+Can I use the same video for Reels, TikTok and Shorts?
Yes. A 1080 x 1920, 9:16 MP4 with text inside the safe zones works on all three. Do not reupload a file that carries another platform's watermark.
+Where should text go in a vertical video ad?
In the upper third of the frame, below the top 14%. The bottom third is covered by captions and buttons on every platform.