TikTok video ad specs for 2026
For a TikTok in-feed ad that is not a Spark Ad, TikTok's help center (last updated June 2026) recommends vertical 9:16 video of at least 540 x 960 pixels, in .mp4, .mov, .mpeg, .3gp or .avi, up to 10 minutes and 500 MB, at 516 kbps or more. The safe zone depends on your caption length, so use TikTok's downloadable template.
Updated
The numbers, as TikTok lists them
- Aspect ratio: vertical 9:16 recommended (at least 540 x 960 px). Horizontal 16:9 (at least 960 x 540) and square 1:1 (at least 640 x 640) are accepted.
- File types: .mp4, .mov, .mpeg, .3gp, .avi.
- Length: up to 10 minutes for non-Spark ads; Spark Ads, which boost an existing post, list no duration limit.
- File size: 500 MB or less. Bitrate: 516 kbps or more.
- Profile photo: 98 x 98 px square, .jpg or .png, under 50 KB, key element in the center 66 x 66 px.
- Display name: one line, up to 20 characters in most languages.
Export at 1080 x 1920 and you clear every minimum with room to spare. SingingAds files are 9:16 MP4s at exactly that size.
Safe zones: why your text gets covered
TikTok lays the caption, account name, buttons and call to action over the bottom and right side of your video. It says the safe zone changes with the dimension, the length of your ad caption and any extra formats such as anchors, and offers downloadable safe zone files for standard and Arabic layouts. Drop the template over your edit before export. Keep the product, the price card and any burned-in captions inside the clear area, and leave the bottom band for TikTok's own text. More on safe zones.
Ad caption and text rules
The ad caption on non-Spark ads is shown in white in a uniform font you cannot change, and it does not support clickable links, @ mentions or hashtags. Spark Ads use the original post's caption, up to four lines. Put your offer in the video itself and use the caption for one plain sentence. Burned-in captions on the video help people watching with the sound off follow along.
Sound and music
TikTok's help center says businesses cannot use the general music library commercially and should use the Commercial Music Library, a pre-cleared set of about 1 million songs, for video ads, organic posts and branded content. If you use another user's original sound or other licensed music, TikTok tells you to get proper legal clearance. An original jingle avoids the question entirely; see music licensing for video ads.
AI-generated ads need a disclaimer
TikTok's ad policy allows AI-generated content if you apply the AIGC label or add a clear disclaimer, caption, watermark or sticker, and says undisclosed AI content will be rejected or restricted. In Ads Manager, the disclaimer toggle includes an AI-generated content option shown at the bottom of in-feed ads. Details for each platform are in AI label rules.
Length: what the spec allows vs what works
Ten minutes is the ceiling, not a target. For a product ad, 15 to 30 seconds gives you a hook, one or two benefits and an end card; longer only pays off when people are already curious. Cut a 15 second version from your 30 and test both. SingingAds makes 15, 30 and 60 second versions.
The options
-
Export 1080 x 1920, 9:16
Comfortably above TikTok's 540 x 960 minimum and the native shape of the feed.
- Best for
- Every in-feed ad.
- Price
- No cost
-
Check the bitrate
TikTok asks for at least 516 kbps; heavy compression from some apps can drop below it and look soft.
- Best for
- Files exported from phone editors.
- Price
- No cost
-
Stay under 500 MB
Larger files are rejected at upload for non-Spark ads.
- Best for
- Long or high-bitrate exports.
- Price
- No cost
-
Download TikTok's safe zone file
It shows exactly where captions and buttons will sit for your caption length.
- Best for
- Ads with text, prices or captions on screen.
- Price
- No cost
-
Write a one-line ad caption
The caption cannot hold links, @ mentions or hashtags, so it should carry one clear sentence.
- Best for
- Non-Spark ads.
- Price
- No cost
-
Prepare a 98 x 98 profile image
Without one, a default picture is used on non-Spark ads, which looks unbranded.
- Best for
- New ad accounts.
- Price
- No cost
-
Keep the display name to 20 characters
Longer names are cut off in the one-line slot.
- Best for
- Brands with long names.
- Price
- No cost
-
Use the Commercial Music Library or original audio
The general music library is not cleared for business use.
- Best for
- Any ad with music.
- Price
- No cost for the library; an original jingle varies
-
Turn on the AI-generated content disclaimer
TikTok requires disclosure for completely AI-generated images, video or audio.
- Best for
- Ads made with AI tools, including AI-sung jingles.
- Price
- No cost
-
Consider a Spark Ad
Boosting an organic post keeps its likes and comments and has no duration limit.
- Best for
- Brands that post organically first and promote what works.
- Price
- Your ad budget
What it can't do
- Specs are for TikTok auction in-feed ads as listed on 17 Oct 2026; TopView and reservation formats have their own pages.
- TikTok notes that ad previews may differ slightly from the live ad on some devices.
What it costs
From $15 for one ad, or $29 a month for about 4 thirty-second video ads. A jingle take costs 4 credits; a typical 30-second video ad about 26. There is no free tier and no free sample.
One-time packs
One ad
$15 once
Five ads
$59 once
Monthly plans
Starter
$29 a month
Growth
$79 a month
Agency
$199 a month
Questions
- What resolution should a TikTok ad be?
Vertical 9:16 at 540 x 960 pixels or more; 1080 x 1920 is the usual export and clears the minimum easily.
- How long can a TikTok ad be?
Up to 10 minutes for non-Spark in-feed ads, and no listed limit for Spark Ads. Most product ads run 15 to 30 seconds.
- Can I put hashtags in a TikTok ad caption?
Not in non-Spark ads: TikTok says the ad caption does not support clickable links, @ mentions or hashtags.
- Can I use a trending song in my TikTok ad?
Not from the general music library. TikTok points businesses to its Commercial Music Library, or you can use original audio you own.
- Where is the TikTok safe zone?
It depends on the ad format and caption length. TikTok offers downloadable safe zone files; keep key text out of the bottom and right edges.
Sources
- TikTok, TikTok Auction In-Feed Ads (specifications), 2026-06, read 17 Oct 2026
- TikTok, About the Commercial Music Library, 2025-07, read 17 Oct 2026
- TikTok, Misleading and false content (Edited media and AIGC), 2026-04, read 17 Oct 2026
- TikTok, About ad disclaimers in TikTok Ads Manager, 2025-09, read 17 Oct 2026