TikTok Ad Specs and Requirements 2026

Getting TikTok ad specifications right ensures your creative displays properly and gets approved quickly. This quick-reference guide covers all technical requirements for TikTok advertising in 2026.

Video Specifications

Video is the core format for TikTok advertising. Follow these specifications for optimal display and performance.

Resolution Requirements

Resolution Type	Dimensions	Use Case
Recommended	1080 x 1920 pixels	Best quality, full HD
Minimum (vertical)	540 x 960 pixels	Acceptable quality
Minimum (square)	640 x 640 pixels	Square format ads
Minimum (horizontal)	960 x 540 pixels	Landscape format

Note: Videos recorded in 4K will be downgraded to 1080p on upload.

Aspect Ratios

Ratio	Dimensions	Recommendation
9:16 (vertical)	1080 x 1920	Recommended for all ads
1:1 (square)	1080 x 1080	Supported, adds letterboxing
16:9 (horizontal)	1920 x 1080	Supported, adds letterboxing

Vertical 9:16 fills the entire screen and delivers the best engagement. Square and horizontal formats work but display with black bars.

Video Length

Length	Status	Best For
5-60 seconds	Standard support	Most ad campaigns
9-15 seconds	Recommended	Optimal engagement
Up to 10 minutes	Supported	Long-form content

For ads, 9-15 seconds is the sweet spot for completion rates and engagement.

Bitrate Requirements

Quality	Bitrate
Minimum	516 kbps
Recommended (1080p)	5-10 Mbps

Higher bitrates improve video quality. Stay within the 5-10 Mbps range for optimal quality-to-size ratio.

Image Specifications

Image ads and carousel components require specific dimensions for proper display.

Image Dimensions

Specification	Requirement
Recommended resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels
Minimum resolution	720 x 1280 pixels
Aspect ratio	9:16 (vertical), 1:1 (square), 16:9 (horizontal)

Profile Image Requirements

Specification	Requirement
Aspect ratio	1:1
Format	JPG, PNG
File size	Under 50 KB

Text Requirements

Ad copy has character limits that vary by element.

Character Limits

Element	Limit
App name	4-40 Latin characters or 2-20 Asian characters
Brand name	2-20 Latin characters or 1-10 Asian characters
Ad description	1-100 characters (varies by placement)
CTA button	Pre-defined options

Text Restrictions

• Emojis not allowed in app/brand name fields
• Special characters may be restricted
• All caps should be used sparingly
• Text must comply with TikTok's advertising policies

On-Screen Text Best Practices

• Keep text in the center safe zone
• Avoid bottom 15% (covered by interface)
• Use high-contrast, readable fonts
• Limit to essential information

File Format Requirements

Video Formats

Format	Support Level
MP4	Recommended
MOV	Fully supported
MPEG	Supported
3GP	Supported
AVI	Supported
WebM	Supported

MP4 and MOV are the most reliable formats across devices.

Image Formats

Format	Support
JPG/JPEG	Fully supported
PNG	Fully supported

File Size Limits

File Type	Maximum Size
Video	500 MB
Image	100 MB
Profile image	50 KB

Specs by Ad Format

Different ad formats have specific requirements beyond standard specifications.

In-Feed Ads

Specification	Requirement
Aspect ratio	9:16, 1:1, 16:9
Resolution	Min 540x960, Rec 1080x1920
Video length	5-60 seconds (9-15 recommended)
File size	Max 500 MB
Bitrate	Min 516 kbps
File formats	MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI

TopView Ads

Specification	Requirement
Aspect ratio	9:16
Resolution	720p or 1080p recommended
Video length	5-60 seconds (9-15 recommended)
File size	Max 500 MB
File formats	MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP

Spark Ads

Spark Ads boost existing organic content, so specifications match the original video:

Specification	Requirement
Aspect ratio	Same as original
Resolution	Same as original (1080p recommended)
Video length	No restrictions
File size	Max 500 MB

Branded Hashtag Challenge Ads

Specification	Requirement
Aspect ratio	9:16
Resolution	720p, 1080p
Video length	5-60 seconds (12-15 recommended)
File size	Max 100 MB
File formats	MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI

Pangle Ads (Network Ads)

Specification	Requirement
Aspect ratio	9:16
Resolution	720p, 1080p
Video length	5-60 seconds (12-15 recommended)
File size	Max 100 MB
File formats	MP4, MOV, MPEG, 3GP, AVI

Quick Reference Summary

Essential Specs at a Glance

Specification	Standard Ads
Aspect ratio	9:16 (vertical)
Resolution	1080 x 1920 px
Length	9-15 seconds
File size	Under 500 MB
Format	MP4
Bitrate	5-10 Mbps

Pre-Upload Checklist

• [ ] Video is vertical (9:16 aspect ratio)
• [ ] Resolution is at least 720p, preferably 1080p
• [ ] File size is under 500 MB
• [ ] Video length is 5-60 seconds
• [ ] File format is MP4 or MOV
• [ ] Text is within character limits
• [ ] Content complies with TikTok advertising policies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best TikTok ad size?

The best TikTok ad size is 1080 x 1920 pixels in a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. This fills the entire screen without letterboxing and provides the best user experience. While other ratios are supported, vertical videos consistently outperform square or horizontal formats.

What file format should I use for TikTok ads?

MP4 is the recommended file format for TikTok ads. It's universally compatible across devices and platforms. MOV is also fully supported. Keep file sizes under 500 MB for reliable uploads.

How long can TikTok ads be?

TikTok ads can be 5-60 seconds long, with up to 10 minutes supported for some content types. However, 9-15 seconds is the recommended length for optimal engagement and completion rates. Every second should earn its place.

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Key Takeaways

• Vertical 9:16 at 1080 x 1920 pixels is the optimal format
• Keep video length to 9-15 seconds for best engagement
• MP4 format under 500 MB is recommended
• Minimum bitrate is 516 kbps; 5-10 Mbps is optimal
• Spark Ads inherit specs from original organic content

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