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TikTok Ads video requirements
A non-Spark TikTok In-Feed ad takes MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP or AVI, up to 500 MB, at 516 kbit/s or more, in 9:16, 16:9 or 1:1 (vertical 9:16 is recommended) and at least 540 px on the short side. TikTok’s ad policy asks for 5 s–1 min and for sound. Reservation and TopView ads need 2.5 Mbit/s or more, and TopView only vertical video. A video made fully or significantly with AI must be flagged with a toggle in Ads Manager.
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TikTok Ads video requirements
Auction In-Feed ads, reservation In-Feed ads (including Reach & Frequency) and TopView each have their own page of specs. Sound and length come from TikTok’s ad format policy, which applies to all three.
| Requirement | In-Feed (auction) | In-Feed (reservation) | TopView |
|---|---|---|---|
| File format | MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP or AVI[1] | MP4, MOV, MPEG or 3GP[2] | MP4, MOV, MPEG or 3GP[3] |
| Video codec | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Length | 5 s–1 min[4] TikTok’s Auction In-Feed spec page names a much longer maximum; the ad format policy says 1 min. A longer file gets a warning, not a failure. | 5 s–1 min[2] The page also recommends a shorter length; the checker doesn’t warn on it. | 5 s–1 min[3] The page also recommends a shorter length; the checker doesn’t warn on it. |
| Resolution | at least 540 px on the short side; at least 640 px for square video[1] The minimum depends on the shape: 540 px on the short side, 640 px for square video. | at least 540 px on the short side; at least 640 px for square video[2] | at least 540 px on the short side[3] |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16, 16:9 or 1:1; 9:16 recommended[1] | 9:16, 16:9 or 1:1; 9:16 recommended[2] | 9:16[3] |
| File size | up to 500 MB[1] | up to 500 MB[2] | up to 500 MB[3] |
| Frame rate | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sound | Required[4] This comes from TikTok’s ad format policy, which applies to every placement. | Required[4] | Required[4] |
| Audio codec | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Video bitrate | at least 516 kbit/s[1] | at least 2.5 Mbit/s[2] | at least 2.5 Mbit/s[3] |
Numbers come from the platform’s own help pages (sources below). Where the platform says nothing publicly, the cell says “Not published” and the checker skips that rule.
Rules for TikTok video ads
In-Feed (auction)
- A Spark Ad (pull) uses an existing TikTok post, so there is no ad file to check: the page sets no duration restriction.[1]
- Ad content must be dynamic: still images may take up no more than 50% of the video.[4]
- The video must be legible and of high resolution.[4]
- No fake buttons or gestures, such as “Swipe up to learn more” text: swiping just leads to the next video.[4]
- Language, currency and other elements must match the ad’s target market, or be acceptable there; otherwise add subtitles in an acceptable language.[4]
- A video that is completely AI-generated or significantly modified by AI needs the “This ad contains AI-generated content” toggle. Spark Ads follow the Community Guidelines instead.[5]
- Captions can’t hold clickable links, @ mentions or hashtags.[1]
In-Feed (reservation)
TopView
- TopView creatives need pre-approval: talk to your TikTok sales representative.[3]
- TopView has two stages: a 3-second zoom-in takeover, then an in-feed video.[3]
- No plain white in the first 3 seconds: it hides the TikTok logo.[3]
- Nothing may overlap the TikTok logo, the skip button or the swipe link in the opening 3 seconds.[3]
- In the in-feed stage, keep text and logos away from where buttons, usernames and captions appear.[3]
- The same creative can’t run in another placement, such as in-feed, on the same day.[3]
- Assets can’t be changed or replaced once preloading begins or the campaign is live.[3]
How to upload a video to TikTok Ads
In-Feed (auction)
- In Ads Manager, tick “This ad contains AI-generated content” while you create the ad, then submit.[5]
- After you submit, the toggle can’t be cleared unless the video changes, and creating a new campaign, including duplicating one, resets it.[5]
- TikTok provides downloadable safe zone files for the standard layout and the Arabic (right-to-left) one, with and without an anchor.[1]
In-Feed (reservation)
- If the video uses an anchor, download the safe zone file that includes it.[2]
TopView
Common reasons for rejection
In-Feed (auction)
- An ad that misses the format rules can be rejected, get fewer impressions or cost more per impression.[4]
Questions
What are the TikTok Ads video specs?
For a non-Spark In-Feed ad: MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP or AVI, up to 500 MB, a bitrate of 516 kbit/s or more, and the aspect ratios 9:16, 16:9 or 1:1 with 9:16 recommended. The minimum is 540 px on the short side, or 640 px for square video. The ad policy asks for 5 s–1 min and for sound.
How long can a TikTok ad be?
TikTok’s ad format policy says 5 s–1 min, and the reservation and TopView pages give the same range. The Auction In-Feed spec page names a much longer maximum, so the checker only warns above 1 min.
Does a TikTok ad need sound?
Yes. The ad format policy says the ad must contain audio and that it must not be of poor quality, such as unclear or muffled sound. The checker marks a file with no sound track as “Fix”.
Do I have to label AI-generated video in TikTok ads?
If the video is completely AI-generated or significantly modified by AI, tick “This ad contains AI-generated content” in Ads Manager when you create the ad. Spark Ads follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines for AI content instead. After you submit, the toggle can’t be cleared unless the video changes, and duplicating a campaign resets it.
What is different about TopView?
TopView takes only vertical video (9:16), needs 2.5 Mbit/s or more, requires pre-approval from your TikTok representative, and has two stages, a takeover and an in-feed video, each with its own safe zone.
Requirements on other platforms
Meta Ads video requirements
Facebook and Instagram ads in Feed, Stories and Reels: up to 4 GB, Reels rules and the safe zone.
YouTube Ads video requirements
Skippable, non-skippable, bumper and Shorts ads: files up to 256 GB, bumpers of 5–6 s, Shorts up to 3 min.
LinkedIn Ads video requirements
Video ads in the feed: MP4, 3 s–30 min, up to 500 MB; in-stream ads up to 90 s.
Pinterest Ads video requirements
Standard width, max. width and Showcase video ads: up to 2 GB, 4 s–15 min.
Safe zones for TikTok
See where TikTok buttons and captions cover your video, and keep text out of those areas.
Free ad check
A file can meet every spec and still not work as an ad. The free AI check reads a vertical video ad from a public link and tells you what to fix.
All platform requirements
Marketplaces and ad platforms in one table, with one file checked against all of them.
Sources
- TikTok Ads Manager Business Help Center: TikTok Auction In-Feed Ads — checked October 29, 2026
- TikTok Ads Manager Business Help Center: TikTok reservation in-feed ad specifications (including Reach & Frequency) — checked October 29, 2026
- TikTok Ads Manager Business Help Center: TopView ad specifications — checked October 29, 2026
- TikTok Advertising Policies: Ad Format and Functionality — checked October 29, 2026
- TikTok Ads Manager Business Help Center: Add disclaimers to ads in TikTok Ads Manager — checked October 29, 2026
This page is written by Quelta. We read each platform’s help pages, copy the numbers with a quote and the date, and recheck them when the pages change. If a page contradicts itself, we say so in the table.
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