The Complete Guide to Facebook Video Ad Dimensions

There's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all Facebook video ad. The right specs come down to one thing: placement.

That said, if you're looking for the two most common formats to start with, you can't go wrong with a 1:1 aspect ratio (1080x1080 pixels) for Feeds and a 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels) for Stories and Reels. Nailing these two core dimensions is your first and most important step toward creating ads that look professional and actually perform.

Facebook Video Ad Dimensions Quick Reference Chart

We've been in the trenches, and we know how frustrating it can be to hunt down the right video specs for every single placement. That's why we put together this quick-reference chart. It's designed to be your go-to cheat sheet for the most critical specs you'll need. Think of it as a high-level overview to get you the right dimensions in seconds.

While this table covers the heavy hitters, keep in mind that each placement has its own quirks and best practices. Use this as your starting point, but always consider the user experience wherever your ad will appear.

This visual summary breaks down those core specs for Facebook's most popular ad spots.

As you can see, there’s a clear split between the square-ish formats for feeds and the full-screen vertical experience for immersive placements like Stories and Reels. Knowing the dimensions is half the battle; having the right workflow is the other. Check out some of these essential social media content creation tools to help streamline your process.

Key Takeaway: Always, always tailor your video creative to the specific placement. One video asset almost never works perfectly across Feeds, Stories, and Reels without some tweaks. If you prioritize the native aspect ratio for each placement, you'll avoid awkward cropping and give users a much better experience. For a deeper dive, you can learn more about the ideal size for Facebook ads in our other detailed guide.

Why Ad Dimensions Are Critical for Performance

Nailing your Facebook video ad dimensions isn’t just a technical box to tick—it’s a massive driver of campaign performance. We’ve all seen it: a horizontal 16:9 video crammed into a vertical Stories placement, complete with those ugly black bars. It screams low-effort and gives users an instant reason to scroll right past.

When a video fits the screen perfectly, it feels native and professional. It commands the maximum amount of screen real estate, which is absolutely essential on mobile where every inch and every second counts. That’s the “thumb-stopping” power you need to grab attention and boost engagement.

This seamless user experience translates directly into better ad metrics. Time and again, we see that creative optimized for its placement gets rewarded by the algorithm with lower CPMs and higher click-through rates (CTRs). You're essentially being rewarded for giving users a better, less disruptive experience.

Maximizing Attention in the First Three Seconds

Those first few moments of your video are pure gold. Old-school research showed that 47% of a video ad's total value is delivered in the first three seconds, a principle that has only become more critical for performance marketers. This is exactly why an instantly engaging, correctly sized video is non-negotiable if you’re serious about a strong ROAS.

A one-size-fits-all approach just doesn't cut it in Meta’s ecosystem. Each placement, from the Feed to Reels, has a unique user context and a different set of expectations. Tailoring your creative dimensions isn't optional; it's fundamental.

Key Insight: Optimizing dimensions isn't about making things look pretty. It’s about respecting the user’s context on each platform, which in turn directly impacts ad recall, engagement, and your conversion rates.

This is the entire principle that modern ad tech platforms like AdStellar AI are built on. They automate the creation of countless creative variations, making sure every single ad is perfectly formatted for its specific placement to squeeze out maximum performance without all the manual grunt work. Of course, this concept extends beyond Meta; understanding things like optimal LinkedIn post image sizes is just as important for making sure your visuals hit the mark on professional networks.

Detailed Specs for Feed and In-Stream Placements

If you’re running campaigns, Facebook and Instagram Feed placements are your bread and butter. This is prime real estate, showing up right in a user's main content scroll. The name of the game here is maximizing your impact on mobile, which means your video dimensions need to be dialed in to take up as much screen space as possible without feeling clunky.

For Feeds, you're looking at two main aspect ratios: 1:1 (square) and 4:5 (vertical). While 1:1 has been a reliable standby for years, the 4:5 ratio is what we usually recommend. It’s that little bit taller, which means it commands more of the vertical screen on a phone and pushes your competitor's posts further down the page.

Feed Video Ad Technical Specs

Getting the technical details right is non-negotiable if you want your ad to look sharp and professional. Sticking to the recommended resolutions avoids that dreaded pixelated look and ensures your creative is presented in the best possible light.

• Recommended Aspect Ratios: 1:1 or 4:5
• Recommended Resolutions:
  • 1:1 (Square): 1080 x 1080 pixels
  • 4:5 (Vertical): 1080 x 1350 pixels
• Maximum File Size: 4GB
• Video Duration: 1 second to 240 minutes
• Recommended Formats: MP4 or MOV

And don't forget the copy! Your video is the star, but the text is what seals the deal. Keep your headline punchy (think 25-40 characters) and your primary text compelling enough to get that click.

In-Stream Video Ad Technical Specs

In-stream ads are a different beast entirely. They pop up before, during, or after other videos—much like a classic TV commercial break. Since people are already leaned in and watching video content, the format is more traditional. The standard here is a horizontal video that fits neatly into the platform's video player.

Pro Tip: Your in-stream ad is often non-skippable for the first 5-15 seconds. This makes your opening hook absolutely critical. You have a captive audience for a very brief window, so get your brand message or main offer out there immediately.

Here are the specs you need for In-Stream ads:

• Recommended Aspect Ratios: 16:9 (horizontal) or 1:1 (square)
• Recommended Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels for 16:9
• Maximum File Size: 4GB
• Video Duration: 5 seconds to 10 minutes (but the 5-15 second range is the sweet spot)
• Recommended Formats: MP4 or MOV

By carefully matching your video creative to these distinct placements in advertising, you create a much smoother user experience, which almost always leads to better engagement and stronger campaign performance.

Mastering Vertical Video for Reels and Stories

If you want to win on Reels and Stories, you have to think vertically. These are immersive, full-screen placements built for how people actually use their phones, which makes the 9:16 aspect ratio the undisputed king. Trying to shoehorn a horizontal or square video into these spots just looks clunky and amateurish—it kills engagement before your ad even has a chance.

For these placements, the only Facebook video ad dimension that matters is 1080x1920 pixels. Using these specs ensures your creative fills the entire screen, giving it a native, seamless feel that grabs attention right away. This vertical-first approach isn't just a trend; it's proven to deliver up to 35% better performance than horizontal videos. With over 60% of time on Facebook now spent watching video, you can't afford to get this wrong.

Technical Specs for Reels and Stories Ads

Getting the aspect ratio right is step one, but a few other technical details are crucial for a smooth upload and crisp playback. Sticking to these specs helps you avoid weird compression issues, frustrating upload failures, and ensures your ad looks exactly how you designed it.

• Recommended Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Full portrait)
• Maximum File Size: 4GB
• Video Duration:
  • Reels: Up to 90 seconds
  • Stories: Up to 60 seconds (heads up: ads over 15 seconds might get split into multiple "cards")
• Recommended Formats: MP4 or MOV

Designing for the Vertical Canvas

Making a great vertical ad is about more than just the dimensions; you have to design around the user interface (UI) itself. Both Reels and Stories slap UI elements right on top of your video, and if you're not careful, they can completely cover up your message.

This is where understanding safe zones is absolutely critical. Think of the safe zone as the central part of the screen where your most important text, logos, and calls-to-action are guaranteed to be seen without any obstructions.

Pro Tip: Keep your vital elements out of the top 15% and bottom 20% of the screen. This is prime real estate for things like the profile icon, username, captions, and the CTA button. If you keep your core message locked into that central area, you'll never have to worry about it getting cut off.

Finally, always design for a sound-off environment. Most people are scrolling through Reels and Stories with their phone on mute. Use big, clear captions or on-screen text to get your point across without needing a single sound. For a deeper dive into this format, check out our complete guide to the size of Instagram Stories, which covers a lot of the same ground.

Universal Technical Requirements for Video Ads

Getting your aspect ratios and dimensions right is a huge piece of the puzzle, but there are a few more technical specs you need to nail down. Think of these as the universal rules that ensure your video gets approved, loads quickly, and plays smoothly for everyone, regardless of their device or connection.

Getting these details right from the start saves you a ton of headaches. It prevents those frustrating upload rejections and makes sure your ad looks crisp and professional across Meta's entire network.

First up, the file format. Meta officially gives its blessing to MP4 and MOV files. Honestly, you should just stick with one of these. They offer the best balance of high quality and manageable file size. While other formats might work, you're just asking for trouble and potential compatibility issues down the line.

Video and Audio Codec Settings

How your video is encoded—the "codec"—is just as important as the file type. For a smooth, high-quality playback experience, these are the settings you want to use in your video editor:

• Video Codec: Always use H.264 compression. It’s the gold standard for web video for a reason, delivering great quality without enormous file sizes.
• Audio Codec: For sound, stick with AAC compression at 128kbps or higher. This keeps the audio clear for anyone who does watch with the sound on.
• Bitrate: Meta doesn't have a strict bitrate requirement. Using a variable bitrate is a good move, as it helps optimize the quality-to-file-size ratio for viewers on different internet speeds.
• Frame Rate: Keep it simple and use a fixed frame rate. 30fps (frames per second) is the standard and works perfectly.

These settings create a reliable file that Meta's system can process without a hitch. If you're looking for a complete rundown of every single spec, a full guide to Meta ad specs can give you an even deeper technical dive.

Captions and Thumbnails Are Not Optional

Let's be real: a huge number of people scroll through their feeds with the sound off. If you don't have captions, your message is completely lost. You can either burn them directly into your video file (the safer bet) or upload a separate SRT file.

Key Takeaway: Your video’s thumbnail is its first impression. It's what makes someone stop scrolling and even consider watching. Don't just let the platform pick a random frame. Always choose a compelling image from your video or upload a custom, high-quality graphic that screams what your ad is about. A great thumbnail can dramatically boost your play rate.

Common Dimension Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even seasoned performance marketers trip over Meta's video dimension rules sometimes. It's an easy mistake to make, but it leads to wasted ad spend and tanks your performance right out of the gate. Knowing the common pitfalls is the best way to make sure every video you launch is set up to win from the very start.

One of the most frequent slip-ups I see is agencies trying to get away with a single 16:9 horizontal video for every single placement. When that asset gets forced into a vertical spot like Stories or Reels, Meta slaps on those ugly black bars to fill the empty space. This immediately screams "lazy ad" and is a fast track to getting swiped away.

Another huge one is ignoring the placement-specific safe zones. This happens when you put your logo, headline, or CTA too close to the edges of a 9:16 video. The in-app interface elements—like the profile icon or the comment field—end up covering your message, making your ad completely useless.

Fixing Common Errors Before They Happen

The good news is that these mistakes are simple to avoid if you're proactive. Your goal should always be to create assets that feel native to the placement. The algorithm notices this and rewards you for respecting the user's experience.

• Mistake 1: Using One Video for All Placements

  • The Fix: You have to create separate video files for your main aspect ratios. At a bare minimum, you need a 1:1 or 4:5 version for Feeds and a dedicated 9:16 vertical cut for Stories and Reels. This guarantees a full-screen, immersive experience no matter where your ad shows up.

• Mistake 2: Ignoring Safe Zones

  • The Fix: A good rule of thumb is to keep all your essential visual elements within the central 80% of your vertical video canvas. This simple habit prevents the app's UI from ever covering up your branding or call to action.

• Mistake 3: Exceeding File Size Limits

  • The Fix: Before you hit export, run your video through a compression tool that maintains quality. Make it a habit to keep your files well under the 4GB limit. This helps you avoid upload failures or Meta's own aggressive compression that can make your video look terrible.

Dodging these common issues ensures your ads look professional and perform far better. If you've got all this right and your campaigns are still stuck in the mud, you might want to investigate other reasons why your Facebook ad is not delivering.

Common Questions About Facebook Video Ad Specs

Even with a comprehensive guide in front of you, a few specific questions always seem to pop up when you're in the weeds of exporting videos for Facebook. It happens to everyone. Let's tackle some of the most common ones we hear from performance marketers so you can get unstuck and back to launching.

Think of this as your final pre-flight check. A quick scan here can help you make sure every technical detail is buttoned up for maximum performance and a professional look across every single placement.

We've put together a quick-reference table to answer the most common questions we get about Facebook video ad specs. It's a great way to find what you need at a glance.

Hopefully, that clears up any lingering questions. Getting these details right from the start saves a ton of headaches and directly impacts your campaign's success.

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