Meta vs TikTok Ad Video Specs: Sizes, Lengths and Safe Zones

Ads fail quietly when text sits under a button or the crop cuts off the product. Use this reference when you brief an editor. Always confirm current limits in each platform's ad documentation, because specs change.

Aspect ratios

• 9:16 vertical: the default for Reels, Stories, TikTok and Shorts placements.
• 4:5: a strong feed option on Facebook and Instagram, taking more screen than 1:1.
• 1:1: a safe fallback that works across most feed placements.
• 16:9: still used for YouTube and some desktop placements.

Safe zones

Platform UI covers the top, the bottom and the right edge of vertical video. Keep captions, logos and CTAs inside the centre of the frame, away from the like and share buttons and the caption area.

Length

Short ads tend to hold attention better, but the right length depends on the offer. Test a short and a longer cut of the same concept instead of guessing.

Captions and sound

Many viewers watch without sound, so burn in captions, and still design the audio, because sound-on viewers notice weak audio.

Workflow

Give your editor one master edit plus a list of required placements. With an unlimited UGC ad editing service, resizing and re-exporting every placement is part of the plan, and short-form editing covers vertical-first content.