Ijharul Islam
YouTube ad specs by format: skippable in-stream ads can be any length and are skippable after 5 seconds; non-skippable in-stream ads run 7 to 15 seconds (16 to 30 seconds on connected TVs); bumpers are up to 6 seconds; Shorts ads should be under 60 seconds and vertical. Upload 1920×1080, 1080×1920 or 1080×1080, under 256 GB.
More on this topic: Video specs by platform, every guide in one place.
Every ad has to be a video on YouTube, public or unlisted, so the file rules are YouTube's upload rules. This page collects the numbers from Google Ads Help and notes where Google's own pages disagree.
The short answer
Skippable in-stream: no maximum length (under 3 minutes recommended), skip after 5 s. Non-skippable in-stream: 7-15 s, or 16-30 s on CTV. Bumper: up to 6 s, can't be skipped. In-feed: any length. Shorts ads: up to 3 minutes, under 60 s recommended, 9:16. Sizes: 1920×1080 (16:9), 1080×1920 (9:16), 1080×1080 (1:1); 720p minimum; file under 256 GB.
Key takeaways
- Make three cuts of one ad: 6 seconds for bumpers, 15 seconds for non-skippable and in-feed, and a longer skippable version.
- Put the brand and the point in the first 5 seconds; that's when skippable ads can be skipped.
- Upload the ad to YouTube as public or unlisted; unlisted keeps it off your channel page.
- For Shorts, deliver 9:16 at 1080×1920; horizontal ads show with blurred bars.
- Google recommends 1080p; 720p is the minimum and SD isn't recommended.
What are the YouTube ad specs for each format?
Each YouTube ad format has its own length and skip rule; the file specs are the same for all of them. From Google Ads Help's video ad formats page and the format pages linked below:
| Format | Length | Skippable? | Where it shows | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skippable in-stream | No maximum; under 3 minutes recommended | After 5 seconds | Before, during or after YouTube videos; Google video partners | CPV at 30 s watched (or the whole ad if shorter) or an interaction; or per impression with tCPM, tCPA, Maximize conversions |
| Non-skippable in-stream | 7-15 s standard; 16-30 s on connected TV | No | YouTube videos; Google video partners | Target CPM |
| Bumper | Up to 6 s | No | YouTube videos; Google video partners | Target CPM |
| In-feed | Any length | Thumbnail; viewer clicks to watch | Search results, Watch next, Home, Subscriptions | When clicked, or an autoplay view of 10 s |
| Shorts ads | Up to 3 minutes; under 60 s recommended | Swipe away at any time | Shorts feed | CPV (10 s or the end) or tCPM |
| Masthead | Any length; over 10 s recommended | Autoplays muted (30 s on desktop) | Top of YouTube Home | Reserved through Google sales |
Checked on 26 October 2026 against Google Ads Help's pages on video ad formats, video ad specs and each format. One inconsistency: Google's formats overview gives non-skippable ads as 15 to 60 seconds depending on the campaign subtype, while the dedicated non-skippable page lists 7 to 15 seconds (standard) and 16 to 30 seconds (CTV only, horizontal) and says ads of 6 seconds or less run as bumpers. Build to the dedicated page: 15 seconds for most placements, 30 for TV.
What size should a YouTube ad be?
A YouTube ad should be 1920×1080 for horizontal, 1080×1920 for vertical or 1080×1080 for square. Google's video ad specs page lists:
| Orientation | Recommended (1080p) | Minimum (720p) | SD minimum (not recommended) | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal | 1920×1080 | 1280×720 | 640×480 | 16:9 (4:3 accepted) |
| Vertical | 1080×1920 | 720×1280 | 480×640 | 9:16 (2:3 and 4:5 accepted) |
| Square | 1080×1080 | 480×480 | 480×480 | 1:1 |
| File | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum file size | 256 GB |
| Recommended format | .MPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4) |
| Also accepted | .MP4, .MOV, .AVI, .WMV, .FLV, .MPEG-1, .MPEGPS, 3GPP, WebM, DNxHR, ProRes, CineForm, HEVC (H.265) |
| Not accepted | Audio-only files (MP3, WAV, PCM) |
| Thumbnail | 1280×720, 16:9, JPG/GIF/PNG, under 2 MB |
| Companion banner (desktop only) | 300×60, JPG/GIF/PNG, under 150 KB |
Google's ad specs pages don't set a frame rate, codec or bitrate. Because the ad is an ordinary YouTube upload, export it as you would any YouTube video. Best export settings for YouTube has the bitrates, and the free video bitrate calculator works out file size for any length.
How long should a YouTube ad be?
Match the length to the format and the goal. Google's pages give these lengths and recommendations:
| Goal or format | Google's length guidance |
|---|---|
| Bumper | Up to 6 s |
| Non-skippable (standard) | 7-15 s |
| Non-skippable (CTV) | 16-30 s, horizontal |
| Video reach campaign, horizontal | 15 s (skippable, in-feed) and 6 s (bumper) |
| Video reach campaign, vertical or square | 6-60 s |
| Video action campaign | 10 s or longer |
| In-feed, awareness | 15-20 s |
| In-feed or skippable, consideration | 2-3 minutes |
| Shorts ads, action-focused | 10-30 s, vertical |
Two thresholds are worth knowing. Google's in-feed page says views aren't counted for ads shorter than 10 seconds, and remarketing lists and YouTube Analytics need ads of 12 seconds or more. The skippable in-stream page adds that, for Reservation buys, ads must be 12 seconds to 6 minutes. If you plan to retarget viewers, keep the main cut at 12 seconds or longer.
For skippable ads, the first 5 seconds decide whether anyone sees the rest. Show the product, the problem or the brand right away; how to write a hook covers openers that hold attention.
What are the specs for YouTube Shorts ads?
YouTube Shorts ads should be vertical 9:16, ideally 1080×1920, and under 60 seconds. Google's Shorts ads page says:
- Maximum length is 3 minutes, but only the first 60 seconds play in the Shorts feed; at 50 seconds an overlay links to the rest on the watch page.
- Recommended length is under 60 seconds: 6-60 s for Video reach, 10-60 s for Video action, App and Performance Max campaigns, and 10-30 s for action-focused ads.
- Vertical 9:16 is recommended and prioritised for brand campaigns. Square and horizontal ads are supported, but horizontal ads show with blurred areas above and below.
- The call to action appears at 3 seconds (Performance Max, App, Demand Gen) or 10 seconds (Video view, Video reach).
- Text: description 90 characters, headline 40 characters recommended.
- Use sound: Google recommends music, voiceover or both.
Keep text and faces clear of the bottom of the frame, where the ad's headline and buttons sit. YouTube Shorts size and length covers the organic limits, and the YouTube Shorts safe zone shows what the overlays cover.
How do you upload a YouTube ad?
You upload the video to a YouTube channel first, then pick it in Google Ads. Google's format pages say the ad must be a YouTube video that's public or unlisted; a private video isn't eligible, and switching a running ad's video to private gets the ad disapproved. Unlisted is the usual choice for ad cuts, because the video doesn't show on your channel.
- Export each cut (6 s, 15 s, longer) at 1080p as an H.264 MP4.
- Upload them to YouTube and set visibility to Unlisted.
- In Google Ads, create a Video campaign, choose the goal and subtype, and paste each video's URL or search for it.
- Add the headline, call to action and, for desktop, an optional 300×60 companion banner.
Need a vertical cut of a horizontal ad? The free video resizer puts a 16:9 video on a 1080×1920 or 1080×1080 canvas without cropping, and the free video trimmer cuts a 6-second bumper out of a longer spot, both free, runs in your browser and never uploads your file.
How do YouTube ad specs compare with other platforms?
| YouTube | Facebook and Instagram | TikTok | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main vertical size | 1080×1920 | 1080×1920 | 1080×1920 |
| Shortest format | Bumper, up to 6 s | See Meta's specs | See TikTok's specs |
| Where the file lives | On YouTube (public or unlisted) | Uploaded to Ads Manager | Uploaded to TikTok Ads Manager |
Each platform's own numbers: Facebook video ad specs and TikTok ad specs. If you need short ad videos to test, QuickVeed's UGC video ads tool makes 9:16 ads of up to 30 seconds, which fits Shorts ads, and its auto subtitles burn captions in for viewers watching muted.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a YouTube ad be?
Skippable in-stream and in-feed ads have no maximum length; Google recommends under 3 minutes for skippable ads. Non-skippable ads are 7-15 seconds (16-30 seconds on TV) and bumpers up to 6 seconds.
When can viewers skip a YouTube ad?
After 5 seconds, on skippable in-stream ads. Non-skippable and bumper ads can't be skipped.
What resolution should a YouTube ad be?
1080p: 1920×1080 horizontal, 1080×1920 vertical or 1080×1080 square. 720p is the minimum.
What's the maximum file size for a YouTube ad?
256 GB, according to Google Ads Help.
Can a YouTube ad be unlisted?
Yes. The video must be public or unlisted; private videos can't run as ads.
How long is a YouTube bumper ad?
Up to 6 seconds, and it can't be skipped.
Do YouTube Shorts ads have to be vertical?
No, but 9:16 is recommended and prioritised; horizontal ads show with blurred bars.
Try it with your own video
Make short vertical ads and caption them for muted viewers. Upload a product photo, pick a creator and a script, and get a 9:16 ad to test. QuickVeed plans start at $18/month, and new accounts get a 14-day trial with 250 credits, no card needed. Sign up or see pricing.
Sources
Competitor details in this post were checked against these public pages in October 2026. Products and prices change, so confirm with each vendor before you decide.
- Google Ads Help: about video ad formats
- Google Ads Help: about video ad specs
- Google Ads Help: video ads specs and format requirements
- Google Ads Help: skippable in-stream ads
- Google Ads Help: non-skippable in-stream ads
- Google Ads Help: bumper ads
- Google Ads Help: in-feed video ads
- Google Ads Help: YouTube Shorts ads asset specs and best practices
