Instagram Stories ads specs
Instagram Stories ads use full-screen 9:16 video in MP4, MOV or GIF up to 4 GB; videos under 16 seconds play as one card, longer ones may be split into up to three.
From Instagram's own ads documentation, checked 2026-10-26.
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (1% tolerance) |
|---|---|
| Resolution | Meta recommends 1440x2560; minimum width 250 px |
| File types | MP4, MOV, GIF |
| Max file size | 4 GB |
| Length | 1 second to 60 minutes. Under 16 seconds plays in full; 16 seconds or longer may be split into 1 to 3 Story cards |
| Primary text | 125 characters |
| Audio | Stereo AAC, 128 kbps or more. Sound and captions optional but recommended |
Safe for text and faces
269px672pxSame percentages Meta uses for Reels: 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% each side, shown here on a 1080x1920 frame.
Things that get ads rejected or hidden
- Ads of 15 seconds or less avoid being split across cards, so the hook and the call to action stay in one piece.
- A Reels master at 9:16 usually works in Stories unchanged; check the bottom area, where the reply bar and link sticker sit.
Sources
Platforms change specs without notice. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it and update the date.