# TikTok in-feed ads specs

> TikTok in-feed video ads work best at 9:16 vertical (minimum 540x960, 1080x1920 is standard), as MP4 or MOV up to 500 MB, with sound, and ad text under 100 characters.

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

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 recommended; 1:1 and 16:9 also accepted |
| Resolution | Minimum 540x960 for 9:16 (640x640 for 1:1, 960x540 for 16:9). TikTok names no recommended size; 1080x1920 is the common standard |
| File types | .mp4, .mov, .mpeg, .3gp, .avi (Spark Ads: .mp4 and .mov) |
| Max file size | 500 MB; bitrate at least 516 kbps |
| Length | The auction specs page allows up to 10 minutes; the ad policy page says 5 to 60 seconds. Stay within 5 to 60 seconds to satisfy both |
| Ad text | Up to 100 characters (50 for Chinese, Japanese and Korean) before it is cut off. No links, @mentions or hashtags |
| Spark Ads caption | Up to 150 characters, shown in at most 4 lines |
| Display name | Up to 20 characters |
| Sound | Required. Audio must not be unclear or muffled |

## Safe zone

Keep text and faces 240px from the top, 660px from the bottom, 120px from the left and 180px from the right of a 1080x1920 frame. TikTok publishes its safe zone as template files, not numbers, and it moves with caption length. These margins are third-party measurements of TikTok's template.

## Things that get ads rejected or hidden

- Ads without sound are rejected, so always export with a voiceover or music track.
- Keep captions and the hook text out of the bottom third: that is where the account name, ad text and call-to-action button sit.
- TikTok's own creative guidance has recommended mid-length ads in the 21 to 34 second range; short 9 to 15 second ads are also common for reach buys.

## Questions

### What size should a TikTok ad be?

Vertical 9:16, at least 540x960 pixels. Most advertisers export 1080x1920. Square (1:1) and horizontal (16:9) are accepted but do not fill the screen.

### How long can a TikTok ad be?

TikTok's auction specs page allows up to 10 minutes, but its ad policy page says 5 to 60 seconds. Keep ads between 5 and 60 seconds; most perform best well under 35 seconds.

### Do TikTok ads need sound?

Yes. TikTok requires every in-feed video ad to have audio, and rejects ads whose sound is unclear or muffled.

### What is the TikTok ad text limit?

Keep ad text to 100 characters or fewer (50 for Chinese, Japanese and Korean) so it is not cut off. Links, @mentions and hashtags are not allowed in the ad text.

## Sources

- [TikTok Ads: auction in-feed ads](https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/tiktok-auction-in-feed-ads)
- [TikTok Ads: ad format and functionality policy](https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/tiktok-ads-policy-ad-format-and-functionality)
- [TikTok Ads: reservation in-feed ads](https://ads.tiktok.com/resources/help/article/tiktok-reservation-in-feed-ads-reach-frequency?lang=en)

## Related

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