# 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.

Canonical: https://use-addy.site/specs/instagram-stories-ads
Last updated: 2026-10-26

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| 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 zone

Keep text and faces 269px from the top, 672px from the bottom, 65px from the left and 65px from the right of a 1080x1920 frame. Same 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.

## Questions

### What size is an Instagram Story ad?

9:16 full-screen vertical. Meta recommends 1440x2560 pixels, and 1080x1920 is the common export size.

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

Up to 60 minutes, but videos of 16 seconds or longer may be split into up to 3 Story cards. Keep it to 15 seconds to play in one piece.

## Sources

- [Meta Ads Guide: Instagram Stories video](https://www.facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video/instagram-story)

## Related

- [TikTok in-feed ads](https://use-addy.site/specs/tiktok-ads)
- [Instagram Reels ads](https://use-addy.site/specs/instagram-reels-ads)
- [Facebook Reels ads](https://use-addy.site/specs/facebook-reels-ads)
- [YouTube Shorts ads](https://use-addy.site/specs/youtube-shorts-ads)