Get your image sizes right: A guide to Facebook ad specs cheat sheet 2024
If you’re on Facebook (which most of us are, whether for work or personal use), you might have noticed that there are A LOT of ad spaces over there.
When you’re scrolling through your feed, you often get a bunch of sponsored photos and videos.
You’re watching a funny cat video and bam! An ad interrupts the feline fun.
Even as you browse the listings on the marketplace for a pre-loved bicycle, you’ll be spammed with a bunch of sponsored listings.
There are ads even in the sidebar, where your friend list is.
Not even your Facebook Messenger is safe! Ads sneakily slide into your inbox and stories too.
It’s like every inch of your Facebook world has been claimed by this ad invasion.
So, when someone asks for a Facebook ad design, the first thing any savvy designer thinks is, “What size are we dealing with here?”
And that’s a fair question. With so many ad spaces, the ad sizes vary wildly. It’s like choosing the right shoes for different terrains in that digital jungle.
The ad size you need will vary depending on where you want your ads to show up.
What if you want your ad to appear in all of the places Facebook can put it?
You don’t have to worry. As seasoned ad creators, we’ve got the map to navigate this ad-sized maze.
In this article, we’ll break down the different Facebook ad types and their sizes so your product, service, or event can shine in the jungle that is Facebook.
Get to know the different Facebook ad formats
Before diving into the specifics, let’s first differentiate Facebook ad placements and ad formats.
Ad formats dictate what creative you are using, whether that’s a photo, video, or a combination of both.
Meanwhile, ad placements are how the ads appear on the platform.
Facebook ads allow you to place ads in a variety of areas, such as the ones we mentioned at the start of this guide.
Let’s first understand the different formats of ads you can make on the platform.
Each of these ad types has its own set of requirements and best practices (which we’ll discuss in a bit).
Single Facebook image ads
Simple yet effective, these ads use a single image to convey your message.
This usually includes one Facebook ad image or a collage of images with a brief description and your call to action or CTA.
This is great for quickly attracting the attention of your audience with an attention-grabbing photo.
Facebook video ads
These are the engaging ads that use video content to capture attention.
Similar to the previous format, these use one short video that can show up either on the timeline, in stories, etc. to attract your audience quickly.
Facebook carousel ads
These ads offer a more interactive experience, as users can scroll through multiple images or videos within a single ad.
You can showcase different product benefits, use multiple photos or videos, and feature multiple items in a collection for people to browse through.
Facebook collection ads
This format combines the image and video ads with a carousel ad.
There is a single big image or video on the top of the ad with a collection of items you want to feature from your website below it.
These ads make it easy for users to browse and shop directly from the ad.
Facebook ad image sizes
When was the last time you clicked on a Facebook post or ad because there was an attractive photo in it?
These ads are great for showcasing sales, attractive new product launches, or spreading brand awareness.
However, you can have the most attractive image and still draw no engagement if you’re not using the right size and format.
Facebook recommends you use JPG or PNG file types.
To ensure your image ads look their best, use the correct image size depending on the placement you want them to be shown in.
Here are the recommended sizes for different placements:
- Facebook feed ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
- Facebook reel ads: 1080×1920 pixels (story size)
- Facebook Stories ads: 1080×1920 pixels (story size)
- Facebook right column ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
- Facebook search results: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
- Facebook marketplace ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
- Facebook business explore: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
For file size, you want to limit your images to 30 MB only.
Tips for making Facebook single-image ads
Since you are working with one image, it might be tempting to put every detail in this ad.
However, you should keep it simple.
Use a high-resolution image with clear and compelling visuals that immediately convey your message.
You should also use minimal text on these images, as Facebook might limit the visibility of your ad if the image is too wordy.
For example, if you’re promoting a new product launch for a fashion brand, use a high-quality image of the product.
Use a clean background with a minimal amount of text to highlight key features.
Have a clear CTA, whether within the image or as a button in your Facebook ad.
Facebook video ad sizes and specs
Video ads can capture the attention of your audience for longer with moving visuals and sound.
This makes them perfect for storytelling, showcasing products in action, or delivering a compelling brand message.
Make the most of your video ads by using the right format and size.
Facebook accepts .mp4,.mov, and.gif video formats with a fixed frame rate.
Here are the recommended video sizes:
- Facebook feed: 1080×1080 (square size) for desktop and 1080×1350 (portrait or 4:5 ratio) for mobile
- Facebook in-stream video ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size) or 1080 x 1920 pixels (story size)
- Facebook reels ads: 1080×1920 pixels (story size)
- Facebook Messenger ads: 1080×1920 pixels (story size)
- Facebook right column ads: 1080×1080 (square size) for desktop and 1080×1350 (portrait size) for mobile
- Facebook search results: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
- Facebook business explore: 1080×1080 (square size) for desktop and 1080×1350 (portrait size) for mobile
Facebook allows videos up to 4 GB in size and 241 minutes in duration only.
How to use Facebook video ads effectively
The first few seconds of your video are the most important, so make sure to have an attention-grabbing intro to hook your viewers in.
While it isn’t required to include captions in your video, a lot of users watch videos without sound, so it is best to use captions and clear visuals.
People browsing through Facebook may be too impatient for long videos so you want to keep them short and sweet.
For example, if you are creating a video ad for a travel agency, you want to showcase beautiful destinations with stunning footage of the locations, add captions to highlight key attractions, and include a call-to-action at the end to encourage bookings.
Facebook carousel ad specs
Facebook offers carousel ads that allow you to display multiple images or videos within a single ad.
You want your visuals to be engaging enough for users to swipe or click through the carousel cards.
According to Facebook, you can use JPG or PNG formats for photos and.mp4,.mov, or.gif formats for videos.
You can add 2 to 10 cards per carousel ad.
The sizes of your carousel ad cards depends on your placement:
- Facebook feed: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
- Facebook reels ads: 1080×1920 pixels (story size)
- Facebook Stories ads: 1080×1920 pixels (story size)
- Facebook search results: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
- Facebook marketplace ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
- Facebook business explore: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square size)
For file sizes, your images can only be up to 30 MB, and your videos can be up to 4 GB and 240 minutes in length.
Best practices when creating Facebook carousel ads
As you only have up to 10 cards and a limited attention span for your audience, you want each card to be attractive and cohesive.
Use each card to highlight different features of your product or service and include a clear call-to-action on each card to guide users towards the desired action.
For example, if you are making a carousel ad for a real estate agency, you could feature different properties.
Each card could showcase a different property with images of the interior and exterior, along with key details like price and location, to attract your audience.
Advertise on Facebook with the right collection ad sizes
Collection ads offer a Facebook instant experience for users.
While they’re browsing through their feed, they are shown a collection of items for them to browse, and they can shop directly from the ad.
These ads feature a cover image or video, followed by several product images.
Regardless of placement, Facebook recommends your cover image or video be 1080 x 1080 pixels or square size.
Similar to the previous formats, Facebook accepts JPG or PNG formats for photos and.mp4,.mov, or.gif formats for videos.
Your image should be limited to 30 MB in file size, while your video is limited to 4 GB.
For the featured products, they’re usually automatically generated from your e-commerce product catalog.
The sizes of these product photos are square (1:1 ratio) and if you upload any other size, it will automatically be cropped.
Make the most of your Facebook collection ad
Facebook collection ads are known to be great for conversions because people are encouraged to make purchases immediately while they are on the feed.
You want to make the most of your collection ad by making use of high-quality images and videos to make your products stand out.
You will also have to test the format to ensure that the transition from the ad to your online store is seamless.
Depending on your e-commerce site, the products might appear differently in your collection ad.
For example, if you’re creating a collection ad for an online clothing store, you could feature a cover video showing models wearing the latest collection, followed by individual product images.
Each product image would link directly to the product page on your website.
Make sure each link is working properly.
Advertising through the Facebook audience network
A great thing about Facebook advertising is that you aren’t limited to advertising within the Facebook mobile app.
You can choose to display your ad both as a Facebook and Instagram ad.
This means that your image or video ad will appear on both Facebook and Instagram and will direct to your selected link.
The Facebook audience network also allows you to reach users outside of Facebook through games, apps, and articles connected to Meta.
The sizes of these social media platforms may vary so it is best to test your ads before launching them.
Understanding the different Facebook ad sizes and specs for ad placements
If you haven’t seen the pattern yet, the safest image or video size to use for Facebook ads is the 1:1 aspect ratio, or square size.
It is the most versatile format that fits most placements, whether on a desktop or mobile device.
However, if you’re particular about how you want your ad to look, especially in reels, stories, and in-stream videos, you might have to pay attention to the other sizes and create ads specifically for those placements.
Creating effective ads on Facebook requires attention to detail so you can ensure your ads look professional and perform well.
After all, if you’re selling a premium item, you don’t want your ads to appear amateur and DIY-ed.
You can use this guide to Facebook ad sizes as a reference for your future ads.
However, you should still remember that the key to successful Facebook ads is not just in the visuals but also in understanding your audience and crafting a message that resonates.
With the right approach, your ads can become powerful tools for reaching and engaging your target market.
Need more help with your Facebook ads and eCommerce marketing?
Here are some guides that can help!
➡️10 mistakes newbies make with paid Facebook ads
➡️Tips to design your website to convert visitors into customers: conversion-focused web design
➡️Top eCommerce website design tips for boosting traffic, engagement, and conversions
Are you feeling dizzy just thinking about the different ad sizes?
Let Deer Designer handle the designs for you!
Just send us the request, and our team will take care of all the sizing, formatting, and design choices.
All you’ll have to do is review and revise if necessary.
Key takeaways
- There are multiple ad formats and placements you can use when you want to advertise across Facebook and its connected apps and games.
- Use image ads, video ads, carousel ads, and collection ads depending on what you want to promote and what creatives you have.
- The size of these different ad formats will depend on where you want them to appear on Facebook. The most versatile size is the square or 1:1 aspect ratio.
- With Facebook ads, your ad is not limited to content on Facebook. You can also promote on Instagram and other apps on the Facebook audience network.
- Other than your ad’s visuals, your ad copy will also encourage people to interact with your ad.