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YouTube Ads video requirements
YouTube ads are built from videos uploaded to YouTube, so Google’s file specs are the same for every ad type: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MPEG, 3GP or WebM, up to 256 GB, in 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3 or 2:3, at least 480 px on the short side and 1080 px recommended. What changes is length: bumpers run 5–6 s, non-skippable ads up to 1 min, skippable ads have no maximum, and Shorts ads can be up to 3 min, of which only the first 1 min play in the feed.
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YouTube Ads video requirements
Google publishes one file table for video campaigns and a length for each ad type. Where Google doesn’t publish a value, such as frame rate or bitrate, the cell says so.
| Requirement | Skippable in-stream and in-feed | Non-skippable in-stream | Bumper | YouTube Shorts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File format | MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MPEG, 3GP or WebM[1] Google lists these as accepted formats and recommends the MPG format. The checker treats any other container as not on the list. | MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MPEG, 3GP or WebM[1] | MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MPEG, 3GP or WebM[1] | MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MPEG, 3GP or WebM[1] |
| Video codec | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Length | no maximum; 3 min or less recommended[3] Viewers can skip an in-stream ad after 5 seconds. Google’s reach page lists any length for skippable in-stream and in-feed ads. | up to 1 min[3] In Video reach campaigns the lengths are narrower: see the rules below. | 5–6 s[3] The reach page says “any length” up to the bumper maximum. | up to 3 min; 1 min or less recommended[2] Google adds that a vertical video of 10 to 60 seconds is needed for Shorts eligibility in some campaign types. |
| Resolution | at least 480 px on the short side; 1080 px or more on the short side recommended[1] Google gives a higher minimum for HD and a lower one for SD, and doesn’t recommend SD; the checker applies the SD minimum and recommends full HD. | at least 480 px on the short side; 1080 px or more on the short side recommended[1] | at least 480 px on the short side; 1080 px or more on the short side recommended[1] | at least 480 px on the short side; 1080 px or more on the short side recommended[1] |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3 or 2:3; 16:9 recommended[1] Horizontal videos serve in both skippable in-stream and in-feed placements; vertical ones don’t serve in-feed. | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3 or 2:3; 16:9 recommended[1] Google says 30-second assets must be horizontal. | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3 or 2:3; 16:9 recommended[1] | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3 or 2:3; 9:16 recommended[1] Vertical is best suited to Shorts; horizontal and square assets are also supported. |
| File size | up to 256 GB[1] | up to 256 GB[1] | up to 256 GB[1] | up to 256 GB[1] |
| Frame rate | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sound | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published Google recommends sound in Shorts ads but doesn’t say that a silent video is refused. |
| Audio codec | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Video bitrate | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
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.
What Google says about YouTube video ads
Skippable in-stream and in-feed
- The video must be hosted on YouTube first: video ads are built from videos uploaded there.[3]
- Audio-only files (MP3, WAV, PCM) are not accepted.[4]
- Viewers can skip an in-stream ad after 5 seconds.[3]
- Vertical videos don’t serve in in-feed placements, while horizontal ones serve in both.[1]
- Vertical videos are used mainly for Shorts, and only sometimes in skippable in-stream.[1]
Non-skippable in-stream
- The video must be hosted on YouTube first: video ads are built from videos uploaded there.[3]
- Audio-only files (MP3, WAV, PCM) are not accepted.[4]
- In Video reach campaigns, a 15-second non-skippable ad runs from 7 to 15 seconds.[1]
- A 30-second ad, shown mainly on connected TVs, runs from 16 to 30 seconds.[1]
- 30-second assets must be horizontal: square or vertical ones can’t run.[1]
Bumper
YouTube Shorts
- The video must be uploaded to YouTube as public or unlisted.[2]
- Audio-only files (MP3, WAV, PCM) are not accepted.[4]
- To be Shorts-eligible, upload at least one vertical video of 10 to 60 seconds.[4]
- Past 60 seconds the ad is cut in the Shorts feed; an overlay at 50 seconds lets viewers watch the rest on the watch page.[2]
- A horizontal video is served with blurred bars above and below.[2]
- Google recommends sound (music, a voice-over or both) in Shorts ads.[2]
- Where EU, Indian or New York rules require it, ads made or edited with AI must carry a disclosure or label.[2]
How to upload a video to YouTube Ads
Skippable in-stream and in-feed
- With video enhancements, Google can make vertical versions of a horizontal video during ad creation.[1]
YouTube Shorts
Questions
What are the YouTube Ads video specs?
Google lists MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, MPEG, 3GP or WebM files up to 256 GB, in 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3 or 2:3, with at least 480 px on the short side; full HD is recommended. Audio-only files aren’t accepted, and the video must be hosted on YouTube. Length depends on the ad type.
How long can a YouTube ad be?
Bumpers run 5–6 s. Non-skippable in-stream ads can be up to 1 min. Skippable in-stream and in-feed ads have no maximum, with 3 min or less recommended. Shorts ads can be up to 3 min, but only the first 1 min play in the Shorts feed.
Which ratio should I use for YouTube ads?
Google recommends 16:9 for in-stream ads and 9:16 for Shorts, and accepts 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:3 or 2:3. Horizontal videos run in Shorts with blurred bars, and vertical videos don’t serve in-feed.
Do YouTube ads need sound?
Google doesn’t say a silent video is refused. It recommends sound, music or a voice-over, in Shorts ads. The checker therefore doesn’t flag a file without a sound track.
How do I label an AI-made ad for YouTube Shorts?
Where EU, Indian or New York rules require a disclosure, add a label directly to the creative or use the AI label setting in Google Ads. Google says such labels don’t violate its policies on text overlays and watermarks.
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.
TikTok Ads video requirements
In-Feed, reservation and TopView ads: MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP or AVI, up to 500 MB, sound required, and the toggle for AI content.
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 YouTube Shorts
See where YouTube Shorts 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
- Google Ads Help: Video reach campaigns — checked October 29, 2026
- Google Ads Help: Your guide to YouTube Shorts ads — checked October 29, 2026
- Google Ads Help: About video ad formats — checked October 29, 2026
- Google Ads Help: About video assets for Performance Max campaigns — 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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