Ultimate Guide to Facebook Ad Sizes & Specs

As a leading advertising agency in Long Island, we understand the importance of precise and effective Facebook advertising strategies. This guide is designed to provide you with clear and updated information on the various ad formats and their technical requirements. 

Our focus is to equip you with the necessary knowledge to create visually appealing and compliant ads on Facebook. Let’s dive into the specifics of each ad type to ensure your campaigns are optimized for success.

This guide will cover the key specifications for Facebook ad formats. Use the right sizes and formats to ensure your ads look good and work well. We’ll go through the specifics for different types of ads like video, image, carousel, story, and Reel ads. This information will help you create ads that are both attractive and effective, whether they’re viewed on a computer or a phone. Let’s get into the details and ensure your ads hit the mark.

Facebook Video Ad Specifications

Video content has become a central element of Facebook advertising, largely due to the growing trend of mobile usage. Most Facebook users access the platform via mobile devices, making it vital to optimize video ads for smaller screens.  By following these guidelines, you can make sure your video ads are clear, engaging, and effective, no matter where they’re viewed. 

Here are the specifications for different types of video ads:

• Feed Video Ads

  • File types: MP4, MOV, or GIF.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Video ratio: 4:5 for mobile only, 1:1 for desktop or mobile.
  • Max file size: 4GB.
  • Duration: 1 second to 241 minutes.

• Instant Article Video Ads

  • File types: MP4, MOV, or GIF.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Video ratio: 16:9.
  • Max file size: 4GB.
  • Duration: 1 second to 241 minutes.

• In-Stream Video Ads

  • File types: MP4, MOV, or GIF.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Video ratio: 16:9 or 1:1.
  • Max file size: 4GB.
  • Duration: 5 seconds to 15 seconds for desktop, up to 10 minutes for mobile.

• Search Results Video Ads

  • File types: MP4, MOV, or GIF.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Video ratio: 1:1.
  • Max file size: 4GB.
  • Duration: 1 second to 241 minutes.

• Video Feed Ads

  • File types: MP4, MOV, or GIF.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Video ratio: 4:5.
  • Max file size: 4GB.
  • Duration: 1 second to 241 minutes.

• Right Column Video Ads

  • File types: MP4, MOV, or GIF.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Video ratio: 1:1 or 4:5 for mobile only.
  • Max file size: 4GB.
  • Duration: 1 second to 241 minutes.

• Business Explore Video Ads

  • File types: MP4, MOV, or GIF.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Video ratio: 1:1 or 4:5 for mobile only.
  • Max file size: 4GB.
  • Duration: 1 second to 241 minutes.

These specifications ensure that your video content is displayed clearly and effectively across various devices and placements on Facebook.

Facebook Image Ad Specifications

Images play a pivotal role in Facebook advertising, serving as the primary visual draw for your audience. In this section, we’ll focus on the specifications for various image ad formats on Facebook. Using the right image sizes and quality is key to ensuring your ads are visually appealing and capture the attention of your target audience. We’ll cover the technical details for feed image ads, right-column image ads, instant article image ads, marketplace image ads, search results in image ads, and business explores image ads. Understanding these specifications will help you create impactful and effective image-based ads on Facebook.

Using engaging images in Facebook ads is crucial because they grab the viewer’s attention and make your ad stand out in a crowded feed. Here are the specifications for various types of image ads:

• Feed Image Ads

  • File types: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.
  • Minimum width and height: 600 pixels.

• Right Column Image Ads

  • File types: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.
  • Minimum width: 254 pixels, height: 133 pixels.

• Instant Article Image Ads

  • File types: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.

• Marketplace Image Ads

  • File types: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.

• Search Results Image Ads

  • File types: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.
  • Minimum width and height: 600 pixels.

• Business Explore Image Ads

  • File types: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.
  • Minimum width and height: 600 pixels.

These specs ensure your images are clear, appealing, and compatible with Facebook’s ad platform, helping you to engage with your audience effectively.

Carousel ads on Facebook offer the versatility to showcase multiple images or videos within a single ad unit, allowing you to display a range of products or tell a story. Here are the specifications for various carousel ad formats:

Facebook Carousel Ad Specifications

• Feed Carousel Ads

  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Min-max number of cards: 2-10.
  • Image file type: JPG or PNG; Max size: 30MB.
  • Video file type: MP4, MOV, or GIF; Max size: 4GB; Duration: 1 second to 240 minutes.

• Right Column Carousel Ads

  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Min-max number of cards: 2-10.
  • Image file type: JPG or PNG; Max size: 30MB.
  • Video file type: MP4, MOV, or GIF; Max size: 4GB; Duration: 1 second to 240 minutes.

• Marketplace Carousel Ads

  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Min-max number of cards: 2-10.
  • Image file type: JPG or PNG; Max size: 30MB.
  • Video file type: MP4, MOV, or GIF; Max size: 4GB; Duration: 1 second to 240 minutes.

• Business Explore Carousel Ads

  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Min-max number of cards: 2-10.
  • Image file type: JPG or PNG; Max size: 30MB.
  • Video file type: MP4, MOV, or GIF; Max size: 4GB; Duration: 1 second to 240 minutes.

• Search Results Carousel Ads

  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Min-max number of cards: 2-10.
  • Image file type: JPG or PNG; Max size: 30MB.
  • Video file type: MP4, MOV, or GIF; Max size: 4GB; Duration: 1 second to 240 minutes.

Facebook Story Ad Specifications

These specifications ensure that your carousel ads are optimized for the best visual presentation and performance across different Facebook placements.

Facebook Stories have become increasingly popular, offering a full-screen, immersive experience. Here are the specifications for different types of Story ads:

• Image Story Ads

  • File Type: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 9:16.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.
  • Minimum width: 500 pixels.

• Video Story Ads

  • Sound and captions: Optional but recommended.
  • File Type: MP4, MOV, or GIF.
  • Ratio: 9:16.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Video Duration: 1 second to 2 minutes.
  • Max file size: 4GB.
  • Minimum width: 500 pixels.

• Carousel Ads for Messenger Stories

  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Min-max number of cards: 2-10.
  • Image File Type: JPG or PNG; Max size: 30MB.
  • Video File Type: MP4, MOV, or GIF; Max size: 4GB; Duration: 1 second to 240 minutes.

These specifications are designed to ensure that your Story ads are visually appealing and effective, whether they’re static images, videos, or interactive carousels.

Facebook Reels Ad Specifications

Facebook Reels, embracing the trend of short-form videos, offers a dynamic way to engage audiences. Here are the specifications for Reels ad formats:

• Video Reels Ads

  • Sound and captions: Optional, but recommended.
  • File Type: MP4, MOV.
  • Recommended Ratio: 9:16.
  • Minimum resolution: 500 x 888 pixels.
  • Video Duration: Up to 60 seconds.
  • Max file size: 4GB.

• Image Reels Ads

  • File Type: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.
  • Minimum width and height: 600 pixels.

• Overlay Reels Image Ads

  • File Type: JPG or PNG.
  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Max file size: 30MB.
  • Minimum width and height: 600 pixels.

• Carousel Reels Ads

  • Ratio: 1:1.
  • Minimum resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Min-max number of cards: 2-10.
  • Image File Type: JPG or PNG; Max size: 30MB.
  • Video File Type: MP4, MOV, or GIF; Max size: 4GB; Duration: 1 second to 240 minutes.

These specifications cater to the unique format of Reels, ensuring your ads are optimized for this increasingly popular platform.

Need an Extra Hand with Facebook Advertising?

Staying current with Facebook’s advertising specifications is essential for effective digital marketing. At Business Nucleus, we pride ourselves on providing expert guidance to Long Island businesses, helping them navigate and leverage these evolving opportunities. 

Our focus on detailed, up-to-date knowledge ensures that your Facebook advertising campaigns are compliant and optimized for maximum impact and engagement. With our support, your business can stay ahead in the dynamic world of online advertising, harnessing the full power of Facebook’s vast advertising platform to achieve your marketing objectives.