# YouTube Shorts ads specs

> YouTube Shorts ads should be 9:16 vertical at 1080x1920, under 60 seconds (up to 3 minutes is allowed, but only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed), with sound, a 40-character headline and a 90-character description.

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

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 recommended; anything from 16:9 to 9:16 is accepted, but horizontal plays with blurred bars |
| Resolution | 1080x1920 recommended; at least 720p |
| File types | Uploaded to YouTube (public or unlisted). MP4, MOV, WebM, MPEG and others accepted |
| Max file size | 256 GB |
| Length | Up to 3 minutes, but only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed. Google recommends under 60 seconds, and 10 to 30 seconds for action-focused ads |
| Headline | 40 characters recommended |
| Description | 90 characters max |
| Sound | Recommended: music, voiceover or both |
| CTA button | Appears at 3 seconds for Performance Max, App and Demand Gen; at 10 seconds for video view and reach campaigns |

## Safe zone

Keep text and faces 288px from the top, 672px from the bottom, 48px from the left and 192px from the right of a 1080x1920 frame. Google shows the Shorts safe area as a template image without numbers. These margins are third-party readings of that template.

## Things that get ads rejected or hidden

- The ad must be uploaded to a YouTube channel first; Google Ads links to the video rather than taking a file.
- Put the offer before the 3-second mark if you run Demand Gen or Performance Max, since the CTA button appears then.

## Questions

### What size is a YouTube Shorts ad?

9:16 vertical at 1080x1920 pixels is recommended, and at least 720p. Horizontal and square videos are accepted but show with blurred bars.

### How long can a YouTube Shorts ad be?

Up to 3 minutes, but only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed. Google recommends keeping Shorts ads under 60 seconds, and 10 to 30 seconds for ads aimed at an action.

## Sources

- [Google Ads: YouTube Shorts ad asset specs](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/16041697)
- [Google Ads: about video ad specs](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/13547298)
- [Google Ads: square and vertical video](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/9128498)

## Related

- [TikTok in-feed ads](https://use-addy.site/specs/tiktok-ads)
- [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)