9:16 Video Specs and Every Ad Size: 9:16, 1:1 and 16:9 by Platform

The takeaway: An ad cropped from one aspect ratio to another often loses out: text gets cut off or the product disappears from the frame. The better approach is to build every ad in three aspect ratios from the start: 9:16 for vertical, 1:1 for square, and 16:9 for landscape.

Which aspect ratio works on which platform?

Always check each platform's guidelines; recommended aspect ratios sometimes change.

Why is cropping not enough?

• Text gets cut off: The on-screen headline falls outside the frame.
• The product disappears: In a square crop, the product may end up out of the picture.
• Obstructed areas: In 9:16, platform buttons cover the bottom and side of the screen.

How do we design for each aspect ratio?

1. We place the product and face in the center of the safe area.
2. We position text away from button areas.
3. We rearrange the scene for each aspect ratio rather than simply cropping it.
4. We deliver each variation in all three aspect ratios together.

How many variations do you actually get?

If you have 30 videos, three aspect ratios turn them into 90 upload-ready files. That means the same campaign works across every platform without additional production.

Where should text sit inside the frame?

In vertical 9:16, the platform's interface covers the top and bottom of the screen: the account name, the call-to-action button and comments. Keep text and product in the middle of the frame, with a safe margin at the top and bottom, so no part of the message hides behind platform buttons.

A checklist before exporting each size

• The product is clearly visible in the first two seconds.
• Text sits inside the safe area and reads on a phone screen.
• The logo does not cover the product.
• Sound works, and the text is enough for viewers without sound.

How should files be named and delivered?

When dozens of files arrive at once, time is lost hunting for the right version. So we name every file by product, angle, hook and size, and sort them into folders by platform. Your ads team uploads faster and, when reading results, knows exactly which hook won.

A file name then reads like oud-01_gift_hook-b_9x16.mp4, and you know what is inside without opening it.

Which size should you start with on a tight budget?

Start with vertical 9:16, because it runs on TikTok, Snapchat, Reels, Stories and YouTube Shorts at once. Once you know which version works, order the other sizes for that version only, instead of producing every size for every version from day one.

1. Test versions in 9:16 first.
2. Pick the winners from the results.
3. Add 1:1 or 4:5 for the Facebook and Instagram feed.
4. Add 16:9 if the campaign includes YouTube or landscape screens.

Frequently asked questions

What size are TikTok and Snapchat ads? Vertical 9:16, which we deliver at 1080×1920.

Do I need 16:9? Yes, if the campaign includes YouTube or horizontal placements.

Can a horizontal video be turned vertical? It can, but designing for each size from the start gives a clearer result than cropping.

Does 4:5 suit Instagram ads? Yes. It takes more space in the feed than a square, so we use it for Instagram and Facebook feed posts.

Do more sizes mean more work? Yes, which is why you start with vertical and order the other sizes for the winning versions only.

Can the same on-screen text be used in every size? The message can stay the same, but its position and size change with each format so it stays clear and away from the platform's buttons.

What do I send you to get versions in every size? Clear product photos and your store link, nothing more, and no product sample to ship. We build every size from those inputs and arrange the scene and text inside each one.

Can I see the result before ordering every size? Yes. Request a free sample video for your product before you pay, and once you have watched it, decide which sizes and versions your campaign needs on each platform.

What are the dimensions of a 9:16 video? A vertical 9:16 video is usually exported at 1080 × 1920 pixels (width × height), or 720 × 1280 at a lower resolution, and it is the main vertical format on TikTok, Reels, Snapchat and YouTube Shorts.

Read also The Ad Testing Matrix.

Part of our approach to Scaling Ad Creative from 30 to 200 Videos per Month.