Mega Digital Logo
TikTok
TikTok
BLOG

YouTube Ad Specs in 2024: All Required and Recommended Ad Sizes

With a massive global user base, YouTube is no doubt a powerful platform for businesses to reach their audience. Not so sure about YouTube Ad Specs and which one should be used for your ads? Don’t worry, in this blog post, I’ll keep you updated with the latest requirements from YouTube, and provide you with useful tips and tricks to boost your advertising.

Assets Requirements for all YouTube ad formats & campaign types

Navigating the world of YouTube Ads involves more than just creative content; other components also work, just like building blocks for your campaigns.

That’s right, successful YouTube Ads hinge upon a comprehensive understanding of the requisite assets. Here’s a breakdown of the essential assets and their specific requirements:

AssetRequirements
YouTube Video URLAdd the link to your YouTube video. It must be public or unlisted and comply with Google Ads policies and YouTube Ads’ requirements
Final URLEnsure the URL users reach after clicking aligns with your ad content
Display URLThe website address visible in your ad should match the advertised site or page
Companion Banner (For desktop)Enhance desktop ad appearance with a 300×60 JPEG, GIF, or PNG (150 KB max) companion banner
Channel name (For In-Feed Ads)The name of your channel
Thumbnail (For In-Feed Ads)A small preview as an idea of the video’s content
– Resolution: 1280 x 720px, 1280 x 640px (min)
– Aspect ratio (16:9)
– Format : .JPG, .GIF or .PNG
– File size: Videos (<2MB); Podcasts (<10MB)
Logo (For Outstream Ads)A logo is required for the Outstream ad campaign
Primary video layout (For Masthead Ads)The way Masthead Ads appear on a compatible device. Either “Widescreen” or “Standard video size” can be used. Use YouTube Masthead Preview Tool to preview your assets.

Note: Further requirements may vary by different YouTube ad types. Make sure you’ve got all the necessary assets before you get into the details of all YouTube ad specs.

YouTube Ad specifications for each type

Mastering the specs of dimensions, length, size and so much more of your YouTube Ads using our comprehensive guide. I’ll provide you with detailed specifications as well as extra notes for all 6 current YouTube ad formats.

YouTube Ad specifications for each type

(Image: 6 Formats of YouTube Ads)

Skippable In-Stream Ads Specs

One of the 2 types of in-stream video ads, is a campaign that shows up within a video stream. Skippable in-stream ads play before, during, or after videos on websites or YouTube and apps on Google video partners.

Skippable In-Stream Ads Specs

(Image: Example of Skippable In-Stream Ads)

They last for 11 seconds or longer and after 5 seconds, the viewer has the option to skip the ad and continue watching the video.

Here are the accepted YouTube Ad Video Specs for this type:

ResolutionSD, 720p (Standard HD), 1080p (Full HD)
DimensionsMinimum for HD:
– Horizontal: 1280 x 720
– Vertical: 720 x 1280
– Square: 480 x 480

Minimum for SD:
– Horizontal: 640 x 480
– Vertical: 480 x 640
– Square: 480 x 480
Aspect ratios(For SD)
Horizontal: 4:3
Vertical: 2:3
FormatsWMV, MOV, AVI, and FLV MPEG-1, MP4, 3GPP, MPEGPS, WebM, ProRes, DNxHR, CineForm & HEVC (h265)
SizeAny size
LengthAny length

Recommended specs:

Resolution1080p (Full HD)
Dimensions(For HD)
Horizontal: 1920 x 1080
Vertical: 1080 x 1920
Square: 1080 x 1080
Aspect ratiosHorizontal: 16:9
Vertical: 9:16
Square: 1:1
FormatsMPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4)
Size≤256 GB
LengthMarketing objective:
– Awareness: 0:15 – 0:20
– Consideration: 2:00 – 3:00
– Action: 0:15 – 0:20
Headline/Description≤15 characters

Note: 

  • It is recommended to not use SD for optimal quality.
  • Audio files are not accepted: MP3, WAV, or PCM.
  • Views count for YouTube only if the video exceeds 10 seconds.
  • Optimal consideration lift with ad formats between 60 to 180 seconds.
  • If you have a Call-to-action, the headline/description should be ≤10 characters.

Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads Specs

Very similar to skippable in-stream ads. Non-skippable ads also play before, during, or after videos on websites or YouTube and apps on Google video partners. The difference is that they only last for 15 seconds or less (20 – 30 seconds in some regions), and the viewer is not allowed to skip the ad.

Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads Specs

(Image: Example of Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads)

Here are the accepted YouTube Ad Video Specs for this type:

ResolutionSD, 720p (Standard HD), 1080p (Full HD)
DimensionsMinimum for HD:
– Horizontal: 1280 x 720
– Vertical: 720 x 1280
– Square: 480 x 480

Minimum for SD:
– Horizontal: 640 x 480
– Vertical: 480 x 640
– Square: 480 x 480
Aspect ratios(For SD)
Horizontal: 4:3
Vertical: 2:3
FormatsAVI, WMV, MOV and FLV MPEG-1, MPEGPS, MP4, 3GPP, WebM, ProRes, DNxHR, CineForm & HEVC (h265)
SizeAny size
Length15 – 30 seconds

Recommended specs:

Resolution1080p (Full HD)
Dimensions(For HD)
Horizontal: 1920 x 1080
Vertical: 1080 x 1920
Square: 1080 x 1080
Aspect ratiosHorizontal: 16:9
Vertical: 9:16
Square: 1:1
FormatsMPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4)
Size≤256 GB
Length≤0:15 (0≤:20 in certain regions)
Headline/Description≤15 characters

Note:

  • It is recommended to not use SD for optimal quality.
  • Audio files are not accepted: MP3, WAV, or PCM.
  • If your ad is less than 6 seconds, it will run as a Bumper Ad.
  • If you have a Call-to-action, the headline/description should be ≤10 characters.

In-Feed Video Ads Specs

YouTube In-Feed Video Ads are the clickable thumbnails that will appear under the YouTube search results, YouTube homepage, and also in the YouTube watch next feed.

In-Feed Video Ads Specs

(Image: Example of In-Feed Video Ads)

In-Feed Ads include a headline and your brand name. You can promote any length of video content using this ad format. People have to actually click on the advertisement to view your video.

Here are the accepted YouTube Ad Specs for this type:

ResolutionSD, 720p (Standard HD), 1080p (Full HD)
DimensionsMinimum for HD:
– Horizontal: 1280 x 720
– Vertical: 720 x 1280
– Square: 480 x 480

Minimum for SD:
– Horizontal: 640 x 480
– Vertical: 480 x 640
– Square: 480 x 480
Aspect ratiosHorizontal: 9:16 or 4:3 (SD)
Vertical: 2:3 (SD)
FormatsMOV, WMV, AVI, and FLV MPEG-1, MP4, 3GPP, MPEGPS, WebM, ProRes, DNxHR, CineForm & HEVC (h265)
SizeAny size
LengthAny length
Headline100 characters max
DescriptionUp to 2 lines with 35 characters max for each

Recommended specs:

Resolution1080p (Full HD)
Dimensions(For HD)
Horizontal: 1920 x 1080
Vertical: 1080 x 1920
Square: 1080 x 1080
Aspect ratiosHorizontal: 16:9Square: 1:1
FormatsMPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4)
Size≤256 GB
LengthMarketing objective:
– Awareness: 15 – 20 seconds
– Consideration: 2 – 3 minutes
HeadlineLess than 40 characters per line for 2 lines
DescriptionLess than 35 characters per line for 2 lines

Note:

  • It is recommended to not use SD for optimal quality.
  • Audio files are not accepted: MP3, WAV, or PCM.
  • Views count for YouTube only if the video exceeds 10 seconds.
  • Video must be more than 12 seconds to use YouTube Analytics.
  • On some devices, headlines with more than 25 characters might be shortened. 
  • All headlines and descriptions are excluded from the TV watch page and desktop.

Bumper Ads Specs

Bumper Ads are 6 seconds or less, they are also non-skippable in-stream ads that appear before, during, or after other videos on YouTube and Google video partners. They work with brand awareness and reach objectives. This type of short format works especially well on mobile as people often watch videos on the go.

Bumper Ads Specs

(Image: Example of Bumper Ads)

These YouTube Ad Specs follow the same guidelines as Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads, except for:

Video length: 6 seconds (maximum).

Outstream Ads Specs

Outstream Ads are mobile ads. They’ll exclusively appear on mobile websites or in mobile apps. They don’t appear on YouTube at all, only on the Google video network. Outstream Ads will play automatically within content (with sound off) and they will generally start playing as someone is scrolling through the website or switching pages.

Outstream Ads Specs

(Image: Example of Outstream Ads)

People have the option to click it and listen to the advertisement with sound enabled. 

There are 3 subtypes of YouTube Outstream Ads:

  • In-Page
  • In-Banner
  • In-Text
3 subtypes of YouTube Outstream Ads

(Image: Types of Outstream Ads)

Note: A logo is required for this ad campaign. Follow these logo’s guidelines:

Aspect ratios (Recommended)Square: 1:1 (200 x 200px) with transparent background
FormatsJPG, GIF, or PNG
SizeMaximum of 200KB

Accepted specs (The other specs are not mentioned as the ad is your original YouTube video):

LengthAny length
Headline80 characters max
Description100 characters max
Call-to-action80 characters max

Note: 

  • It is recommended to not use SD for optimal quality.
  • Audio files are not accepted: MP3, WAV, or PCM.
  • Views count for YouTube only if the video exceeds 10 seconds.
  • Video must be more than 12 seconds to use YouTube Analytics.
  • On some devices, headlines with more than 25 characters might be shortened. 
  • All headlines and descriptions are excluded from the TV watch page and desktop.

Masthead Ads Specs

Masthead Ads are the advertisements featured at the very top of the YouTube homepage and are available on desktop, mobile, TV screens, and tablets. With Masthead Ads, you can’t create campaigns that will allow you to run this video ad format directly through Google Ads. Instead, you actually have to go through a Google sales representative and purchase a Masthead Ad.

Masthead Ads Specs

(Image: Example of Masthead Ads)

This ad type is definitely for large advertisers, such as a movie studio or big enterprises.

Here are the YouTube Ad Specs for this type:

Dimensions (Recommended)1920 x 1080 or higher
Aspect ratioWidescreen16:9 (this ratio allows to display more assets)
LengthThe autoplay shouldn’t be above 30 seconds
Headline26 characters max
Use YouTube Masthead Preview Tool for text length recommendations
Description62 characters max
Call-to-action10 characters max

Note:

  • A chosen video automatically starts playing without sound for a maximum of 30 seconds at the top of YouTube’s homepage. Viewers have the option to click the mute icon to activate sound.
  • The ad is presented in a widescreen or 16:9 format and once played, it reverts to its thumbnail.
  • Clicking either the video or the thumbnail directs viewers to a full-screen viewing page.
  • Call-to-action elements cannot be added to these TV screen Masthead ads.

Universally applicable safe zones for video ads

Overlays, CTAs, and buttons vary in position based on format, campaign type, and screen. Refer to these images to keep vital elements like your logo, product, and supers within the red safe area, preventing coverage in specific inventory.

Universally applicable safe zones for video ads
applicable safe zones for video ads

Conclusion

Crafting compelling ad campaigns goes beyond creativity; it’s about details, and hopefully, our recommended YouTube ad specs can help you with that. As you optimize your ad length, size, and dimensions, remember that precision is the cornerstone of impactful advertising.

If you need more guidance on how to run your YouTube campaign effectively, don’t hesitate to contact us for consultation, and we’ll be happy to assist you with your advertising!

5/5 - (2 votes)

Author

Ngoc Nguyen
Ngoc Nguyen
Specialize in analyzing the benefits of Google ads for sellers and offer optimized solutions for your Google advertising or marketing campaigns.

Share

Random Picks