What Are TikTok Ad Specs?
TikTok ad specs govern every creative upload.
TikTok ad specs are the pixel dimensions, aspect ratios, file formats, duration limits, and character counts that TikTok Ads Manager enforces for each ad format and placement. Uploading creative outside these parameters triggers rejection, auto-cropping, or compression that degrades quality. According to TikTok Business Center documentation, the platform accepts MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, and AVI files up to 500 MB, with 9:16 vertical video at 720px minimum width as the baseline for all In-Feed placements.
TikTok is a vertical-first platform. Unlike Meta, which distributes ads across dozens of placements with varying aspect ratios, TikTok standardizes around full-screen 9:16 video. That simplicity is deceptive — the specs still differ by ad format, and getting them wrong costs time and budget.
Whether you are running TikTok ads for ecommerce, launching Spark Ads, or testing new concepts from your TikTok ad examples swipe file, this guide gives you every spec in one reference. Bookmark it and return before every upload.
The standard TikTok In-Feed video ad is 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 vertical), between 5 and 60 seconds long, with a maximum file size of 500 MB. TopView ads extend to 60 seconds. Spark Ads inherit the specs of the organic video they promote, but the promoted content must still meet minimum resolution of 720 x 1280.
Video accounts for over 95% of TikTok ad spend. Every format on the platform is built around moving content. Here are the full video specs broken down by format:
| Format | Resolution (px) | Aspect Ratio | Duration | Max File Size | File Types | Min Bitrate |
|---|
| In-Feed Ad | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 5–60 sec | 500 MB | MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI | 516 kbps |
| In-Feed Ad (Square) | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | 5–60 sec | 500 MB | MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI | 516 kbps |
| In-Feed Ad (Horizontal) | 1920 x 1080 | 16:9 | 5–60 sec | 500 MB | MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI | 516 kbps |
| TopView | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 5–60 sec | 500 MB | MP4, MOV | 516 kbps |
| Spark Ads | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Any (organic) | N/A (organic) | N/A (organic) | 516 kbps |
| Video Shopping Ad | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 5–60 sec | 500 MB | MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI | 516 kbps |
| Branded Hashtag Challenge | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 5–60 sec | 500 MB | MP4, MOV | 516 kbps |
| Branded Effect Ad | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Up to 10 sec (effect preview) | 500 MB | MP4, MOV | 516 kbps |
Source: TikTok Business Center — Ad Specifications
Key rules for TikTok video ads
Shoot in 9:16 vertical. TikTok supports 1:1 and 16:9, but vertical 9:16 fills the entire screen and consistently outperforms other ratios. Internal TikTok data shows 9:16 ads generate 91% higher 6-second view rates compared to horizontal content repurposed from other platforms.
Stay under 30 seconds for performance. The platform allows up to 60 seconds, but ads between 21 and 34 seconds hit the optimal balance of storytelling and completion rates per TikTok's creative best practices. Ads under 10 seconds often lack enough information to convert. Ads over 45 seconds lose most viewers before the CTA.
Minimum 720p resolution. TikTok requires a minimum width of 720 pixels, but always upload at 1080 x 1920 for sharpness on modern devices. Lower resolutions appear soft, and users instinctively scroll past content that looks low-quality relative to organic posts.
Keep safe zones clear. The bottom 150 pixels of your video overlap with the CTA button and ad description text. The right 100 pixels overlap with engagement icons (like, comment, share). Place key visuals and text in the center 80% of the frame.
What Are the Image Ad Specs for TikTok?
TikTok image ads require 1200 x 628 pixels (1.91:1) for the Pangle placement and 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16) for TikTok's native Image Ads format in the For You feed. Maximum image file size is 100 MB per image. Supported formats are JPG and PNG only.
Image ads represent a smaller share of TikTok inventory but serve specific purposes — particularly for catalog-driven ecommerce campaigns and the Pangle network. TikTok expanded native image ads in 2025, allowing carousel-style image sequences in the For You feed.
TikTok Image Ad Specs by Placement
| Placement / Format | Recommended Size (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | File Types | Max Images |
|---|
| Image Ad (For You Feed) | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 100 MB | JPG, PNG | 1 |
| Carousel Ad (For You Feed) | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 100 MB per image | JPG, PNG | 2–35 |
| Pangle (Display) | 1200 x 628 | 1.91:1 | 100 MB | JPG, PNG | 1 |
| Pangle (Interstitial) | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 100 MB | JPG, PNG | 1 |
| Collection Ad (Header) | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 100 MB | JPG, PNG | 1 |
Source: TikTok Business Center — Image Ad Specifications
Key rules for TikTok image ads
Vertical beats landscape. Even for image ads, design at 1080 x 1920 to fill the screen. Landscape images get letterboxed with black bars, which signals "ad" to users scrolling the feed.
Carousel ads need visual continuity. Each image in a carousel must stand alone but should follow a visual narrative. Use consistent backgrounds, lighting, and typography across all slides. Carousels with 3 to 7 images perform best — enough to tell a story without requiring excessive swiping.
Avoid text-heavy images. TikTok does not enforce Meta's former 20% text rule, but the recommendation holds: images with minimal overlay text outperform heavy-text designs in feed placements because they resemble organic content.
What Are the Text and Copy Specs for TikTok Ads?
TikTok ad copy allows up to 100 characters for the ad description (displayed below the video), 12–100 characters for the display name, and up to 20 characters for the CTA button text when using custom CTAs. Headlines are optional and support up to 100 characters. All text counts are in Latin characters — CJK characters reduce limits by approximately half.
Copy on TikTok functions differently than on Meta or Google. The primary conversion driver is the video itself, not the surrounding text. Ad descriptions are truncated after roughly 80 characters on most devices, so front-load the key message.
TikTok Ad Copy Limits by Element
| Element | Character Limit | Notes |
|---|
| Ad Description | 1–100 characters | Truncates at ~80 on most devices |
| Display Name | 2–40 characters | Your brand or app name |
| Headline (optional) | Up to 100 characters | Not shown on all placements |
| CTA Button (standard) | Pre-set options | "Shop Now," "Learn More," etc. |
| CTA Button (custom) | Up to 20 characters | Available in some regions |
Front-load your ad description. The first 40 characters are all most users will see without tapping "more." Put the value proposition or hook before the truncation point.
Use standard CTAs for consistency. "Shop Now" converts highest for ecommerce. "Learn More" works for consideration campaigns. Custom CTAs should be tested against standard options before committing budget.
Measure how your copy drives action by running the numbers through a CTR calculator — even a 0.2% lift in click-through rate compounds across thousands of impressions.
What Resolution and Encoding Settings Produce the Best Results?
Export TikTok video ads at 1080 x 1920 using H.264 codec at a bitrate of 2,500–6,000 kbps. Frame rate should be 24, 25, or 30 fps. Audio should be AAC at 128 kbps or higher, 44.1 kHz sample rate. These settings balance file size with visual quality across all device tiers.
Uploading a video that technically meets the minimum spec is not the same as uploading one that looks good. TikTok compresses all uploaded video, and starting with a higher-quality source file preserves detail after compression.
Recommended Export Settings for TikTok Ads
| Setting | Recommended Value | Minimum Acceptable |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 | 720 x 1280 |
| Codec | H.264 (AVC) | H.264 |
| Bitrate (video) | 2,500–6,000 kbps | 516 kbps |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps | 24 fps |
| Audio Codec | AAC | AAC |
| Audio Bitrate | 128–256 kbps | 128 kbps |
| Audio Sample Rate | 44.1 kHz | 44.1 kHz |
| Color Space | BT.709 | BT.709 |
Do not export at 60 fps. While some editors default to 60 fps, TikTok re-encodes everything and 60 fps files are larger without visible quality improvement in the feed. Stick with 30 fps.
Use variable bitrate (VBR). VBR allocates more data to complex scenes (fast motion, lots of detail) and less to simple scenes (static frames, solid backgrounds). This produces smaller files at equivalent perceived quality compared to constant bitrate (CBR).
Include audio. TikTok reports that 88% of users consider sound essential to the platform experience. Silent ads with text overlays can work, but adding a voiceover, trending sound, or original audio increases completion rates. Always mix audio at -14 LUFS for consistent volume across devices.
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Building ads that meet every spec is the starting point. The creative still needs to convert. ConversionStudio analyzes your brand's audience signals and generates ad creative frameworks calibrated to your product category — so you spend less time guessing what will work and more time scaling what already does.
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TikTok accepts fewer placements and aspect ratios than Meta, but enforces stricter video-first requirements. Meta supports image, video, and carousel across 12+ placements. TikTok centers on 9:16 video with limited image support. The biggest practical difference: TikTok's 500 MB video cap versus Meta's 4 GB cap, and TikTok's 60-second standard limit versus Meta's 241-minute feed video limit.
If you run campaigns on both platforms — and most ecommerce advertisers do — understanding the overlap and differences prevents wasted production time. For detailed Meta specs, see our full Facebook ad sizes and specs guide.
| Spec | TikTok | Meta (Facebook/Instagram) |
|---|
| Primary Video Ratio | 9:16 | 1:1, 4:5, 9:16 |
| Max Video File Size | 500 MB | 4 GB |
| Max Video Length (Feed) | 60 seconds | 241 minutes |
| Min Video Resolution | 720 x 1280 | 600 x 600 |
| Video File Types | MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI | MP4, MOV |
| Image Max File Size | 100 MB | 30 MB |
| Ad Description Limit | 100 characters | 125 characters (primary text) |
| Headline Limit | 100 characters | 40 characters |
| Safe Zone Concerns | Bottom 150px, right 100px | Top/bottom 14% (Stories/Reels) |
The production workflow implication: If you produce at 1080 x 1920 (9:16) as your master format, you can use it natively on TikTok, Instagram Stories, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Stories. For Facebook and Instagram feed, create a 1080 x 1080 (1:1) or 1080 x 1350 (4:5) crop. This two-format workflow covers both platforms efficiently.
What Are the Most Common Spec Mistakes That Get TikTok Ads Rejected?
The top five rejection triggers are: video resolution below 720px width, video shorter than 5 seconds, file format not supported (WebM and FLV are excluded), landing page URL mismatch with the registered domain in Ads Manager, and text/logo occupying more than 20% of the thumbnail. TikTok's automated review catches spec violations within minutes, but policy violations (misleading claims, prohibited products) can take 24–48 hours and require manual appeal.
Rejection delays your launch and burns the time you invested in production. Here are the mistakes that trip up even experienced media buyers:
1. Repurposing horizontal video without re-editing. Uploading a 16:9 video designed for YouTube results in a small, letterboxed frame with black bars consuming 40% of the screen. Always re-edit for 9:16 or use TikTok's built-in cropping tool as a minimum.
2. Ignoring the safe zone. Text placed in the bottom 150 pixels gets covered by your own ad description and CTA button. Brands often catch this only after the ad is live and wonder why their offer text is invisible.
3. Exceeding 500 MB. Long-form footage or high-bitrate exports from DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro can easily exceed 500 MB. Check file size before uploading. Most 30-second 1080p ads at 4,000 kbps land around 15–20 MB.
4. Missing audio. TikTok permits silent video, but the algorithm deprioritizes it. Silent ads compete poorly for impressions because TikTok's system assumes users prefer content with audio. Even adding a low-volume ambient track helps.
5. Wrong thumbnail. TikTok auto-generates thumbnails from the first frame. If your first frame is a black screen, loading screen, or off-brand image, the thumbnail shown in certain placements (like profile grids or search results) will look unprofessional.
How Should You Set Up Your Creative Production Workflow for TikTok Specs?
Create a master template at 1080 x 1920 (9:16) with marked safe zones — 150px from bottom, 100px from right, 64px from top for the status bar. Export using H.264 at 30 fps and 3,000–5,000 kbps bitrate. Batch export 1:1 and 4:5 crops for Meta placements simultaneously. This workflow covers both TikTok and Meta with minimal rework.
Production efficiency matters when you are testing 5–10 creatives per week, which is the volume most ecommerce brands need to find winners consistently.
Pre-production checklist
- Set your video editor canvas to 1080 x 1920 (9:16)
- Create guide overlays for safe zones (top 64px, bottom 150px, right 100px)
- Design text and key visuals within the center safe area
- Plan for both sound-on and sound-off viewing (captions or text overlays for key messages)
Export checklist
- Codec: H.264
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920
- Frame rate: 30 fps
- Bitrate: 3,000–5,000 kbps (VBR)
- Audio: AAC, 128 kbps, 44.1 kHz
- File format: MP4
- File name: no special characters or spaces
Post-export verification
- File size under 500 MB (should be well under for 30-second ads)
- First frame is visually compelling (this becomes the auto-thumbnail)
- CTA text is above the 150px bottom zone
- Brand logo is not in the right-side engagement icon zone
- Audio levels are consistent (target -14 LUFS)
Running this workflow as a repeatable template means your team produces spec-compliant creative every time without checking this guide on each upload. Check performance benchmarks after launch with a CTR calculator to identify which spec variations (duration, aspect ratio, bitrate) drive the strongest engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best video size for TikTok ads?
The best size is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This fills the entire screen on mobile devices and matches the native content format, which helps ads blend with organic videos in the For You feed.
How long can a TikTok ad be?
Standard In-Feed ads can be 5 to 60 seconds. TopView ads also support up to 60 seconds. TikTok recommends keeping ads between 21 and 34 seconds for the best balance of engagement and completion rate.
Does TikTok support image-only ads?
Yes. TikTok supports single image ads and carousel ads (2–35 images) in the For You feed. However, video ads receive significantly more distribution because the platform's algorithm is optimized for video content. Image ads are most effective for catalog-driven ecommerce campaigns.
TikTok accepts MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, and AVI files. MP4 with H.264 encoding is the most reliable format and produces the most consistent quality after TikTok's server-side re-encoding.
Can I use the same creative for TikTok and Facebook ads?
You can use 9:16 vertical video on both TikTok and Meta's Stories/Reels placements. However, Meta's feed placements perform better with 1:1 or 4:5 crops. The recommended workflow is to produce at 1080 x 1920 as your master and create secondary crops for Meta feed. See our Facebook ad sizes and specs guide for the full list of Meta dimensions.
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