YouTube video ads
Quick answer: YouTube video ads are recommended at 1920 x 1080 (16:9), 1080 x 1920 (9:16) or 1080 x 1080 (1:1), with a 256 GB max file size. Non-skippable in-stream ads run up to 30 seconds in auction and 60 seconds in reservation.
| Orientation | Ratio | Recommended (1080p) | Minimum HD (720p) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal | 16:9 | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 |
| Vertical | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 | 720 x 1280 |
| Square | 1:1 | 1080 x 1080 | 480 x 480 |
Recommended format .MPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4); MP4, MOV, WebM, HEVC and others are accepted. Max file size 256 GB. Audio-only files are not accepted.
Lengths and text
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| Skippable in-stream | Any length; under 3 minutes typically performs better |
| Non-skippable in-stream | Max 30 seconds in auction, 60 seconds in reservation |
| In-feed headline | 2 lines, 40 characters per line |
| In-feed description | 2 lines, 35 characters per line |
| Thumbnail | 1280 x 720 (16:9), under 2 MB |
| Companion banner (desktop) | 300 x 60, max 150 KB |
✓ VerifiedLast checked 2026-10-21 Source: support.google.com, support.google.com, support.google.com, support.google.com.
FAQ
What resolution should a YouTube ad be?
1080p is recommended: 1920 x 1080 horizontal, 1080 x 1920 vertical or 1080 x 1080 square. 720p is the HD minimum.
How long can a non-skippable YouTube ad be?
Up to 30 seconds in auction and up to 60 seconds in reservation.
What is the max YouTube ad file size?
256 GB.