TikTok Ad Specs 2026: Video Formats, Sizes & Requirements

Getting your TikTok ad specs right is the difference between a smooth approval process and frustrating rejections that delay your campaigns. TikTok's advertising platform has specific technical requirements for each ad format, and understanding these specifications ensures your creative displays correctly across all devices while meeting platform guidelines. Whether you're running In-Feed ads, TopView takeovers, or Spark Ads, this guide covers every technical requirement you need to know.

The specifications outlined here reflect TikTok's current 2026 requirements, which have evolved significantly since the platform's early advertising days. Higher resolution support, expanded file size limits, and new ad formats mean advertisers have more creative flexibility than ever—but also more technical details to track. Bookmark this guide as your go-to reference for ensuring every ad you create meets TikTok's standards.

In-Feed Video Ad Specifications

In-Feed ads are the most common TikTok ad format, appearing natively within users' For You Page alongside organic content. Because these ads compete directly with creator content for attention, meeting technical specifications while maintaining creative quality is essential. Poor quality videos not only risk rejection but also underperform even when approved.

The foundation of any successful In-Feed ad is the correct aspect ratio. TikTok strongly recommends 9:16 vertical video, which fills the entire screen and matches user expectations from organic content. While 1:1 square and 16:9 horizontal formats are technically supported, they display with black bars and typically see 30-40% lower engagement rates. Vertical video isn't just a preference—it's a performance requirement.

In-Feed video requirements

Video duration deserves special attention. While TikTok accepts videos up to 60 seconds, internal platform data shows that ads between 9-15 seconds achieve the highest completion rates and engagement. Shorter isn't always better—5-second ads often don't provide enough time to communicate value—but longer ads risk losing viewers before delivering your message. Test different durations, but start with the 9-15 second sweet spot.

TopView Ad Specifications

TopView is TikTok's premium ad placement, appearing as the first thing users see when opening the app. This full-screen, sound-on format commands complete attention for up to 60 seconds, making it ideal for brand awareness campaigns and major product launches. The premium nature of TopView means specifications are stricter, and creative quality expectations are higher.

Unlike In-Feed ads where vertical is recommended, TopView requires 9:16 aspect ratio—no exceptions. The ad occupies the entire screen without any interface elements for the first few seconds, creating an immersive experience that demands flawless video quality. Any pixelation, compression artifacts, or audio issues are immediately noticeable and reflect poorly on your brand.

TopView specifications

TopView ads transition to In-Feed format after the initial full-screen display, so your creative needs to work in both contexts. The first 3-5 seconds are critical for capturing attention while users have no option to scroll past. After that, the standard TikTok interface appears, and users can engage or continue scrolling. Design your creative to hook immediately, then maintain interest through the transition.

Spark Ads Specifications

Spark Ads allow you to boost organic TikTok content—either your own or creator content—as paid advertising. This format maintains the authentic feel of organic posts while adding targeting capabilities and call-to-action buttons. Because Spark Ads use existing content, the specifications are more flexible, but understanding the requirements helps you plan creator partnerships effectively.

The primary advantage of Spark Ads is authenticity. Organic content that already resonates with audiences often outperforms purpose-built ads because it matches user expectations of the platform. When the Spark Ads format launched, advertisers saw average CTR improvements of 30% compared to traditional In-Feed ads. However, the organic post must still meet advertising guidelines—content that works organically might be rejected as a paid ad if it violates advertising policies.

Spark Ads requirements

• Source content: Must be an existing TikTok post (yours or authorized creator)
• Authorization: Creator must provide ad authorization code
• Video specs: Inherited from original post (no separate requirements)
• Duration: Original video length maintained
• Music: Must use commercially licensed audio for ads

Music licensing is the most common Spark Ads issue. Organic TikTok posts often use trending sounds from TikTok's library, but many of these tracks aren't licensed for commercial advertising use. When boosting content, TikTok will flag unlicensed music and require you to either mute the audio or select an alternative track from their commercial music library. Plan for this when working with creators by specifying commercial-safe audio requirements upfront.

Image Ad Specifications

While TikTok is primarily a video platform, image ads are available for specific placements and campaign types. Image ads appear in the TikTok News Feed and Pangle network placements rather than the main For You Page. These formats suit advertisers who want to test TikTok without video production investment, though performance typically lags behind video formats.

Image ads require careful attention to dimensions because different placements have different requirements. The Global App Bundle placement accepts multiple aspect ratios, while specific placements like Pangle may require exact dimensions. Preparing images in multiple sizes ensures maximum placement flexibility.

Image ad specifications

The text overlay guideline mirrors Meta's historical approach—images with excessive text receive lower distribution. TikTok's image ad review process penalizes creative where text dominates the visual, so keep copy concise and let imagery do the heavy lifting. If you need to communicate detailed information, use the ad copy fields rather than burning text into the image itself.

Carousel Ad Specifications

Carousel ads allow advertisers to showcase multiple images or videos in a single ad unit, with users swiping between cards. This format excels for e-commerce product showcases, step-by-step demonstrations, and storytelling that benefits from sequential presentation. Each card can link to a different destination, making carousels particularly effective for catalog-style advertising.

Consistency across carousel cards is crucial for professional presentation. All images within a carousel must share the same aspect ratio, and the visual style should feel cohesive. A carousel where each card looks like it came from a different brand or shoot confuses users and reduces engagement. Plan your carousel as a unified campaign rather than assembling unrelated images.

Carousel requirements

• Card count: 2-35 cards per carousel
• Aspect ratio: 1:1 square (required for all cards)
• Resolution: Minimum 1080x1080 pixels
• File format: JPG, PNG for images; MP4, MOV for video cards
• Video duration: 5-60 seconds per video card
• Headline: Maximum 40 characters per card

Video carousels—where some or all cards are short video clips rather than static images— combine the engagement benefits of video with carousel's product showcase capabilities. Consider mixing formats: open with a video card that captures attention, then follow with product images that users can browse at their own pace.

Playable Ad Specifications

Playable ads are interactive ad units that let users experience a game or app directly within TikTok before downloading. This format is primarily used by mobile game advertisers but also works for interactive product demonstrations and try-before-you-buy experiences. Playables require HTML5 development, making them more technically complex than standard video ads.

The interactivity of playable ads demands careful optimization for mobile performance. Users expect instant responsiveness, and any lag or loading delay causes immediate abandonment. TikTok's playable ad specifications prioritize lightweight files that load quickly even on slower connections.

Playable ad requirements

Playable ads require a companion video that plays before the interactive element loads. This video should preview the playable experience and encourage users to engage. If users skip before the playable loads, they see only the video—so ensure your video creative stands alone as effective advertising even without the interactive component.

File Formats and Codec Requirements

Choosing the right file format and codec affects both upload success and playback quality. While TikTok accepts various formats, not all are created equal. The wrong codec can result in visible compression artifacts, audio sync issues, or outright upload failures. Standardizing on proven formats eliminates these risks.

H.264 codec within an MP4 container represents the gold standard for TikTok video ads. This combination offers excellent compression efficiency—keeping file sizes manageable—while maintaining visual quality across the resolution range TikTok supports. H.265 (HEVC) provides even better compression but has compatibility issues on some devices and isn't officially recommended by TikTok.

Recommended encoding settings

• Container: MP4 (.mp4)
• Video codec: H.264 (AVC)
• Audio codec: AAC
• Frame rate: 24-60 fps (30 fps recommended)
• Bitrate (video): 2500-5000 kbps for 1080p
• Bitrate (audio): 128-256 kbps
• Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz

Frame rate deserves attention for content that will be repurposed across platforms. TikTok natively supports up to 60fps, which creates smooth motion for fast-paced content. However, 24fps is standard for cinematic content, and 30fps works well for most advertising purposes. Avoid non-standard frame rates like 25fps (PAL standard) which can cause playback issues.

Safe Zones and Text Placement

TikTok's interface overlays various elements on top of your video content, including the username, caption, music ticker, and engagement buttons. Any important visual information placed in these areas will be partially or completely obscured. Understanding safe zones is essential for ensuring your key messages and branding remain visible throughout your ad.

The bottom portion of the screen presents the biggest challenge. TikTok's interface elements occupy roughly the bottom 20% of the screen, where caption text, the music ticker, and call-to-action buttons appear. Placing your product, logo, or key messaging in this zone means users might never see it. Similarly, the right edge displays engagement buttons (like, comment, share), requiring a margin on that side.

Safe zone guidelines

For 1080x1920 video, this means your "safe zone" for critical content is roughly 992x1595 pixels, centered within the frame. Design your creative with this constraint from the start rather than trying to adjust existing content. Text that works fine on a wide screen often needs complete repositioning for TikTok's vertical format and interface overlay requirements.

Audio Requirements and Best Practices

Sound is fundamental to TikTok's experience in a way that distinguishes it from other social platforms. Platform data shows 93% of TikTok users watch content with sound on, compared to significantly lower rates on Facebook and Instagram. This means audio isn't optional for TikTok ads—it's a core component that directly impacts performance.

Technical audio specifications are relatively straightforward, but creative audio choices matter more. Music selection should align with your target demographic and content style. TikTok's Commercial Music Library provides pre-cleared tracks safe for advertising use, eliminating licensing concerns. Using trending sounds can boost organic feel, but ensure they're available for commercial use before building campaigns around them.

Audio specifications

• Format: AAC (preferred), MP3 accepted
• Channels: Stereo (2-channel)
• Sample rate: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
• Bitrate: 128 kbps minimum, 256 kbps recommended
• Loudness: -14 LUFS integrated (broadcast standard)

Voiceover and music balance requires attention during mixing. TikTok's auto-volume normalization can affect how your final mix sounds, so test your ads on actual devices before launching campaigns. What sounds perfect in your editing software might be too quiet or have buried vocals when played through TikTok's audio pipeline. Always include captions or on-screen text for accessibility and for the 7% of users who do watch without sound.

Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them

Ad rejections waste time and delay campaigns. Understanding why TikTok rejects ads helps you avoid common pitfalls and achieve faster approval. While TikTok's moderation combines automated systems with human review, certain issues trigger rejection consistently. Addressing these during creative production prevents rejection-related delays.

Technical specification failures account for many rejections, but policy violations are equally common. TikTok maintains strict guidelines about ad content, claims, and landing page experiences. Even technically perfect creative will be rejected if it violates advertising policies around prohibited products, misleading claims, or inappropriate content.

Top rejection reasons

• Incorrect aspect ratio: Using 16:9 or unusual dimensions instead of 9:16
• Low resolution: Video below 540x960 appears pixelated
• Text in unsafe zones: Key information obscured by UI elements
• Unlicensed music: Particularly common with Spark Ads
• Prohibited claims: Unsubstantiated health, income, or performance claims
• Landing page mismatch: Ad creative not matching destination content
• Missing disclosures: Required disclaimers for certain product categories
• Brand safety violations: Content inappropriate for advertising context

When ads are rejected, TikTok provides a reason code. Take these seriously and address the root cause rather than making minimal changes and resubmitting. Repeated rejections can flag your account for additional scrutiny, slowing future approvals. If rejection reasons seem unclear, TikTok's advertiser support can provide additional context.

Complete Ad Specs Reference Table

This comprehensive table provides a quick reference for all TikTok ad format specifications. Use it as a checklist when preparing creative assets to ensure compliance with platform requirements before upload. Having assets that meet these specifications from the start prevents revision cycles and speeds time to launch.

While meeting technical specifications is necessary, it's not sufficient for success. Your creative must also resonate with TikTok's audience and align with platform culture. For guidance on creating effective creative within these specifications, see our TikTok Creative Best Practices guide. Technical excellence combined with platform-native creative is the formula for TikTok advertising success.

Ready to launch TikTok campaigns with confidence? Benly can help you manage creative assets across formats, automatically flag specification issues before upload, and optimize your campaigns based on performance data. Get your ads approved faster and performing better with AI-powered creative management.