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(Target keyword: tiktok ad specs)
If you’re creating ads for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or other platforms, keeping track of video specs, file sizes, and character limits can be frustrating.
Creative teams waste hours resizing videos, rewriting captions, or re-exporting because the content didn’t meet platform requirements.
This technical, bookmarkable cheat sheet solves that problem.
Save it, share it with your design team, and keep your campaigns running smoothly.
✅ Why Specs Matter
Every platform:
- Has its own ad dimensions and file rules
- Can reject or downgrade quality if specs aren’t met
- Shows text overlays differently — affecting readability
Correct specs = faster approvals + higher engagement.
🎯 Quick Overview (By Platform)
| Platform | Key Vertical Video Ratio | Max Length | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 9:16 | up to 60 sec (In-Feed) / 10 min (normal) | ≤500 MB |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | up to 90 sec (Reels Ads) | ≤4 GB |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | up to 60 sec | ≤2 GB |
| Facebook Reels | 9:16 | up to 90 sec | ≤4 GB |
| Snapchat | 9:16 | up to 3 min | ≤1 GB |
| Pinterest Idea Pins | 9:16 | up to 60 sec per video (20 pages) | ≤2 GB |
(Detailed specs and character limits below.)
🕹 TikTok Ad Specs (2025)
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 (most common) or 1:1 |
| Resolution | ≥1080×1920 px |
| File Types | .mp4, .mov, .avi |
| Max File Size | 500 MB |
| Max Length | 5–60 sec (In-Feed & Spark Ads); TopView: up to 60 sec |
| Text | 12–100 English characters |
| Brand Name | ≤20 characters |
✅ Additional TikTok Tips:
- Keep captions in the top 15% or bottom 20% of screen free for on-screen buttons
- Use TikTok’s built-in safe zone overlay before exporting
- For TopView ads (takeover format), focus on first 3 seconds
📱 Instagram Reels Ads Specs
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 |
| Resolution | ≥1080×1920 px |
| File Types | .mp4, .mov |
| Max File Size | 4 GB |
| Max Length | 90 sec |
| Primary Text | ≤125 characters (above the Reel) |
| Hashtags | recommended ≤30 |
✅ Notes:
- Avoid placing text in bottom 35 pixels to dodge UI overlays
- Instagram automatically crops to 4:5 on feed preview
🎬 YouTube Shorts Ads Specs
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 |
| Resolution | ≥1080×1920 px |
| File Types | .mp4, .mov |
| Max File Size | 2 GB |
| Max Length | 60 sec |
| Title | ≤100 characters (recommend <40) |
| Description | up to 5000 characters |
✅ Tips:
- Shorts loop automatically — grab attention early
- Add subtitles for silent viewing
📘 Facebook Reels Ads
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 |
| Resolution | ≥1080×1920 px |
| File Types | .mp4, .mov |
| Max File Size | 4 GB |
| Max Length | 90 sec |
| Primary Text | ≤125 characters |
| Headline | ≤40 characters |
👻 Snapchat Video Ads Specs
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 |
| Resolution | ≥1080×1920 px |
| File Types | .mp4, .mov |
| Max File Size | 1 GB |
| Max Length | 3 min (best under 15 sec) |
| Top Snap text | ≤34 characters |
📌 Pinterest Idea Pins
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 |
| Resolution | ≥1080×1920 px |
| File Types | .mp4, .mov |
| Max File Size | 2 GB |
| Max Length | up to 60 sec per video, 20 pages total |
✅ Notes:
- Add text overlays: keep important text within safe margins
- Use keywords in Pin title and description
✏️ Text & Caption Cheat Sheet (All Platforms)
| Platform | Caption Limit | Headline Limit |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 100 chars | N/A |
| Instagram Reels | 125 chars | N/A |
| Facebook Reels | 125 chars | 40 chars |
| YouTube Shorts | 100 (title) | Description: 5000 |
| Snapchat | 34 chars top snap text | N/A |
Rule of thumb: keep text short, punchy, and left-aligned for legibility.
📊 File Format Quick Reference
| Platform | Recommended Format | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | .mp4, .mov | ≥516 kbps |
| .mp4 | ≥5 Mbps | |
| YouTube Shorts | .mp4 | ≥8 Mbps |
| .mp4, .mov | ≥5 Mbps | |
| Snapchat | .mp4, .mov | ≥2 Mbps |
| .mp4, .mov | ≥2 Mbps |
🎨 Design & Safe Zones
- Avoid top 120 px and bottom 120 px for captions and UI overlays
- Place key messages & logos in the vertical center third
- Always preview on device before publishing
🚀 Advanced Tips for Editors & Designers
✅ Export in H.264 codec for widest compatibility
✅ Use variable bitrate to keep quality under max file size
✅ Add burned-in captions (permanent) for silent viewers
✅ Test on real phone screens — not just on desktop preview
🧰 Tools to Speed Up Ad Creation
- CapCut & InVideo: auto export in 9:16 with correct file size
- Canva Pro: social templates for TikTok & Reels
- Meta Creative Hub & TikTok Ads Manager: built-in safe zone check
- Descript: quick subtitle generation
📅 2025 Platform Updates to Watch
- TikTok is testing longer in-feed ads (up to 3 min)
- Instagram expanding Reels Ads to 2 minutes in some markets
- YouTube Shorts adding clickable CTAs at the end card
- Pinterest experimenting with long-form video pins
Always check the platform’s official specs page before big campaigns.
📍 Bookmark & Share
This cheat sheet is designed to save you time when:
- Briefing your video editor
- Exporting ads from editing software
- Writing ad copy to stay under limits
✅ Tip: Save it to Google Drive / Notion / Canva Brand Hub so your whole team can access it.
🧩 Summary Table: At a Glance
| Platform | Ratio | Max Length | File Size | Caption Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 9:16 | 60 sec | 500 MB | 100 |
| IG Reels | 9:16 | 90 sec | 4 GB | 125 |
| FB Reels | 9:16 | 90 sec | 4 GB | 125 |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 60 sec | 2 GB | 100 title |
| Snapchat | 9:16 | 3 min | 1 GB | 34 |
| 9:16 | 60 sec/page | 2 GB | N/A |
✅ Final Tips
- Start design in 1080×1920 px (9:16) → adjust as needed
- Keep file size under platform max, but prioritize quality
- Short text, big fonts, high contrast: always mobile-first
The best-performing videos are clear, short, and easy to watch — even on a small screen.
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