YouTube Ad Specs 2026: Formats, Sizes, Lengths and Safe Zones
Short answer: YouTube video ads run in 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1, ideally at 1080p (1920×1080, 1080×1920 or 1080×1080) and at least 720p (non skippable ads also accept SD, which Google does not recommend), in a file under 256 GB. Skippable in stream ads can be skipped after 5 seconds and have no maximum length (under 3 minutes recommended). Bumper ads are up to 6 seconds. Standard non skippable ads are 7 to 15 seconds, with 16 to 30 second versions on connected TV. Shorts video ads can be up to 3 minutes long, but only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed, so keep them under 60 seconds. Every vertical ad shares one Google safe zone: 288 px top, 672 px bottom, 48 px left and 192 px right on 1080×1920.
Check a YouTube ad against Google's safe zones
The Safe Zone Checker draws Google's vertical and horizontal video ads templates over your own frame, in your browser and without uploading anything.
YouTube ad formats at a glance
| Format | Where it runs | Skipping | Length | How you pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skippable in stream | Before, during or after YouTube videos and on Google video partners | After 5 seconds | No maximum, under 3 minutes recommended | With CPV bidding, when a viewer watches 30 seconds (or the whole ad if shorter) or interacts |
| Non skippable in stream | Before, during or after YouTube videos and on Google video partners | Not skippable | 7 to 15 seconds standard; 16 to 30 seconds on connected TV, horizontal only | Target CPM, per impression |
| Bumper | Same as in stream | Not skippable | Up to 6 seconds | Target CPM |
| In feed video | YouTube search results, the Watch Next feed and the mobile home feed | The viewer chooses to watch | No fixed limit | When someone clicks to watch, or after 10 seconds of autoplay in Video View campaigns |
| Shorts ads | Between Shorts in the Shorts feed | Immediately, by swiping | Up to 3 minutes; only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed, so under 60 seconds is recommended | Per impression, view or engagement, depending on bidding |
| Masthead | Top of the YouTube Home feed | Autoplays, not skippable | 16:9 video of any length | CPM or cost per hour |
A note on non skippable length: Google's format overview now describes non skippable in stream ads as 60 seconds or shorter, while its campaign setup page lists the three lengths above. Until the two agree, cut a 15 second version for every screen and a 30 second horizontal version for TV.
Video file specs
| Orientation | Ratio | Recommended (1080p) | Minimum (720p) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal | 16:9 | 1920 × 1080 px | 1280 × 720 px |
| Vertical | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 px | 720 × 1280 px |
| Square | 1:1 | 1080 × 1080 px | 480 × 480 px |
- SD on non skippable in stream: SD is accepted for non skippable ads only, and Google does not recommend it. The SD minimums are 640 × 480 px horizontal, 480 × 640 px vertical and 480 × 480 px square, and SD frames in 4:3 and 2:3 are accepted as well. The Ad Spec Checker warns on SD for non skippable ads and fails it on the other formats.
- File size: less than 256 GB.
- Formats: MPG (
MPEG-2orMPEG-4) is recommended. WMV, AVI, MOV, FLV,MPEG-1, MP4, MPEGPS, 3GPP, WebM, DNxHR, ProRes, CineForm and HEVC (H.265) are also accepted. Audio only files such as MP3, WAV or PCM are not. - Recommended lengths by campaign: 15 seconds for in video ads; 15 seconds for skippable in stream and in feed, 6 seconds for bumpers and 6 to 60 seconds for vertical Shorts placements in video reach campaigns; 10 seconds or more for video action campaigns.
- Encoding: YouTube recommends MP4 with H.264 High Profile, progressive scan, the recorded frame rate, and stereo audio at 384 kbps and 48 kHz. The audio codec can be AAC, Opus or Eclipsa Audio, with
AAC-LCas the AAC profile. SDR bitrates: 8 Mbps at 1080p and 24 to 30 fps, 12 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps; 35 to 45 Mbps at 4K and 24 to 30 fps, 53 to 68 Mbps at 48 to 60 fps.
Headline, description and call to action limits
| Campaign or placement | Headline | Long headline | Description | Call to action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In video ads on YouTube | 2 lines, 40 characters per line | n/a | 2 lines, 35 characters per line | n/a |
| Masthead | 40 characters | n/a | 60 characters | 15 characters |
| Video action campaigns | 30 characters | 90 characters | 90 characters | 10 characters |
| Demand Gen video | 40 characters | 90 characters | 90 characters | Business name: 25 characters |
Demand Gen video ads serve across the Discover feed, YouTube feeds, in stream, Shorts, Gmail and the Google Display Network. They accept 16:9, 1:1, 4:5 and 9:16, need at least 5 seconds, and videos under 10 seconds are not eligible for YouTube in stream. Google recommends at least three different headlines, long headlines and descriptions.
Companion banners and thumbnails
- Companion banner: 300×60 px (5:1), JPG, GIF or PNG, 150 KB at most.
- Thumbnail: 1280×720 px (16:9), JPG, GIF or PNG, under 2 MB.
YouTube ad safe zones
Google publishes two templates in its video ad specs, under "Universal safe zones for video ads on YouTube". They apply to every YouTube video ad in that orientation.
| Edge | Vertical, 1080×1920 | Horizontal, 1920×1080 |
|---|---|---|
| Top | 288 px (15.0%) | 38 px (3.5%), stepping down to 183 px from x 38 to 496 and 133 px from x 1444 to 1758 |
| Bottom | 672 px (35.0%) | 387 px (35.8%) |
| Left | 48 px (4.4%) | 38 px (2.0%) |
| Right | 192 px (17.8%) | 162 px (8.4%) |
| Safe box | 840 × 960 px, from (48, 288) to (888, 1248) | 1720 × 655 px, from (38, 38) to (1758, 693), minus the two top blocks |
The horizontal template's bottom margin, 387 px or more than a third of the frame, surprises most editors. Google reserves that whole band for the ad interface drawn over the video, so lower thirds belong above y 693 on a 16:9 YouTube ad, not in the traditional broadcast position. For the vertical template and how it compares with organic Shorts, see the YouTube Shorts safe zone guide.
Preflight checklist
- Pick the formats first, then the lengths: 6 seconds for bumpers, 15 for non skippable, and a separate 30 second horizontal cut for TV.
- Deliver 1080p in each orientation you need: 1920×1080, 1080×1920 and 1080×1080.
- Put the brand and the message in the first 5 seconds of skippable ads and the first second of Shorts ads.
- Keep text out of the template margins, especially the bottom 387 px on 16:9 and 672 px on 9:16. Confirm it in the checker.
- Write headlines to the tightest limit you will use: 30 characters covers video action campaigns and fits everywhere.
- Tag the final URL. ValueTrack parameters such as
{campaignid}are explained in our URL macros guide.
YouTube ad specs FAQ
What size should a YouTube video ad be?
1920×1080 for 16:9, 1080×1920 for 9:16 and 1080×1080 for 1:1. The minimums are 1280×720, 720×1280 and 480×480. Non skippable in stream ads also accept SD down to 640×480 horizontal and 480×640 vertical, which Google does not recommend.
How long can a YouTube ad be?
Skippable in stream ads have no maximum, with under 3 minutes recommended. Bumpers are up to 6 seconds. Non skippable ads are 7 to 15 seconds as standard, up to 30 seconds on connected TV. Shorts video ads can run up to 3 minutes, but only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed.
When can viewers skip a YouTube ad?
After 5 seconds on skippable in stream ads, and immediately on Shorts ads, by swiping.
What is the maximum file size for YouTube ads?
Less than 256 GB. The practical limit is your upload, not YouTube.
Are there official YouTube ad safe zones?
Yes. Google publishes a vertical and a horizontal template for all YouTube video ads. Vertical: 288 / 672 / 48 / 192 px. Horizontal: 38 px top and left, 387 px bottom, 162 px right, with deeper blocks at the top corners.
What size is a YouTube companion banner?
300×60 px, JPG, GIF or PNG, up to 150 KB.
Related guides and tools
- YouTube Shorts safe zone 2026: the vertical template, organic Shorts and monetization.
- TikTok ad specs 2026
- LinkedIn ad specs 2026
- Google Ads HTML5 validator guide: for display banners rather than video.
Sources, checked 27, 28 and 30 September 2026, Google Ads Help and YouTube Help: About video ad formats, Non skippable in stream ads, Create a Video reach campaign, About video ad specs, Video ads specs and format requirements, Shorts video ads, Demand Gen video asset specifications, YouTube recommended upload encoding settings.