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Video reference

Short-Form Video Specs Cheat Sheet

Compare dated, source-linked short-form video dimensions, ratios, duration notes, formats, and practical recording guidance.

Showing 7 of 7 dated records.

TikTok

Performance ads — creative starting point

Checked 2026-07-12
Aspect ratio
9:16 vertical
Dimensions
At least 720p; the page does not give a pixel pair
Duration
Not stated on the linked source page
Container
Not stated on the linked source page
Codec
Not stated on the linked source page
Frame rate
Not stated on the linked source page
Audio
Use sound or music
File or bitrate limit
Not stated on the linked source page

Practical recording notes

  • Shoot vertically in 9:16 and keep content visible inside the interface safe zone.
  • TikTok recommends introducing the proposition in the first three seconds and prioritizing the hook in the first six seconds.
  • This page presents general best practices, not a complete delivery specification.
Creative best practices for performance ads

TikTok

Reservation In-Feed — Non-Spark and Spark Ads Push

Checked 2026-07-12
Aspect ratio
9:16 recommended
Dimensions
Vertical: at least 540 × 960 px
Duration
5–60 seconds; TikTok recommends 9–15 seconds
Container
.mp4, .mov, .mpeg, .3gp
Codec
Not stated on the linked source page
Frame rate
Not stated on the linked source page
Audio
Required for all video creatives
File or bitrate limit
500 MB maximum; bitrate at least 2,500 kbps

Practical recording notes

  • Vertical is recommended; the same source also lists horizontal and square minimums.
  • Keep key text and logos inside the matching TikTok safe-zone file for your dimensions, caption length, and add-ons.
  • Avoid watermarks and do not make the creative imitate TikTok's interface.
TikTok reservation in-feed ad specifications (including Reach & Frequency)

TikTok

Reservation In-Feed — Spark Ads Pull

Checked 2026-07-12
Aspect ratio
Determined by the successfully published organic video
Dimensions
No separate restriction stated for a successfully published TikTok video
Duration
No separate restriction stated; the organic video must publish successfully
Container
.mp4 or .mov normally
Codec
Not stated on the linked source page
Frame rate
Not stated on the linked source page
Audio
Required for all video creatives
File or bitrate limit
Not stated on the linked source page

Practical recording notes

  • The ad pulls an existing organic TikTok video, so the source defers to what the app accepted.
  • This is not permission to ignore safe placement; TikTok still warns that interface elements may cover or crop key content.
  • Use TikTok's placement preview before launch.
TikTok reservation in-feed ad specifications (including Reach & Frequency)

Instagram Reels

Organic Instagram Reels

Checked 2026-07-12
Aspect ratio
1.91:1 through 9:16 accepted
Dimensions
Minimum resolution of 720 pixels; no exact pixel pair stated
Duration
Not stated on the linked source page
Container
Not stated on the linked source page
Codec
Not stated on the linked source page
Frame rate
Minimum 30 FPS
Audio
Not stated on the linked source page
File or bitrate limit
Not stated on the linked source page

Practical recording notes

  • Instagram accepts ratios from 1.91:1 through 9:16 on this help page.
  • For a full-screen vertical workflow, record and compose in 9:16.
  • The recommended cover is 420 × 654 px (1:1.55), and the page says it cannot currently be edited after upload.
Reel size & aspect ratios on Instagram

Instagram Reels

Facebook and Instagram Reels ads — creative essentials

Checked 2026-07-12
Aspect ratio
9:16 vertical recommended
Dimensions
Not stated on the linked source page
Duration
Not stated on the linked source page
Container
Not stated on the linked source page
Codec
Not stated on the linked source page
Frame rate
Not stated on the linked source page
Audio
Quality audio is part of Meta's stated Reels creative essentials
File or bitrate limit
Not stated on the linked source page

Practical recording notes

  • Meta recommends vertical 9:16 video, quality audio, and key messages inside the safe zone.
  • The linked page is creative guidance, not a complete upload-specification table.
  • Use Ads Manager's current placement preview and safe-zone checker for the final asset.
Instagram & Facebook Reels: Create Short Video Ads

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts ads — general asset guidance

Checked 2026-07-12
Aspect ratio
9:16 vertical recommended
Dimensions
Not stated on the linked source page
Duration
Up to 3 minutes; only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed; less than 60 seconds recommended
Container
Not stated on the linked source page
Codec
Not stated on the linked source page
Frame rate
Not stated on the linked source page
Audio
Use sound: music, voiceover, or both
File or bitrate limit
Not stated on the linked source page

Practical recording notes

  • Upload the video to YouTube as public or unlisted before using it as an ad.
  • Vertical assets are recommended; horizontal assets can appear with blurred areas above and below.
  • For action-oriented ads, Google recommends 10–30 second vertical videos, while campaign eligibility can vary by campaign type.
YouTube Shorts ads: Asset specs and best practices

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts inventory — Demand Gen video asset

Checked 2026-07-12
Aspect ratio
9:16
Dimensions
1080 × 1920 px recommended for HD
Duration
Minimum 5 seconds
Container
MPG (source wording)
Codec
MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 (source wording)
Frame rate
Not stated on the linked source page
Audio
Not stated on the linked source page
File or bitrate limit
256 GB maximum video file

Practical recording notes

  • Google lists 9:16 as the recommended vertical orientation for YouTube Shorts.
  • Videos shorter than 10 seconds are ineligible for YouTube In-stream, which is a separate placement consideration.
  • Google says its format mocks are not exhaustive and recommends checking the in-platform preview.
Video asset specifications and ad format guidelines for Demand Gen campaigns

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How to use it

Match the publishing path before you match the numbers.

Start with the record that matches both your platform and your publishing path. An organic Reel, a boosted Reel, a TikTok reservation ad, and a YouTube Demand Gen asset can have different rules even when all four appear vertical.

Use the ratio, dimensions, duration, container, codec, frame-rate, audio, and file-limit fields as a recording and handoff checklist. A field marked not stated is a cue to check the platform's live uploader or a more specific official placement page.

Every record links to its first-party source and shows the date it was checked. Recheck that source before a high-stakes launch because this page is a working reference, not permanent platform certification.

Questions

What to know before you use it.

Why do some fields say the value is not stated?

Because platform pages often publish only the facts relevant to that page. This reference leaves an explicit gap instead of borrowing a number from an unrelated placement or presenting a guess as a rule.

Does matching a record guarantee platform approval?

No. Specifications, account options, policies, placements, and interfaces change. Check the linked source and the platform's final upload or ad preview before publishing.

Does this tool inspect or fix my video?

No. It is a filterable reference. It does not read a file, certify compliance, normalize dimensions, compress video, or create an ad.

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