YouTube In-Feed Video Ad Specs: Video, Thumbnail and Text Limits
YouTube in-feed video ad specs: upload a 16:9 video at 1920 x 1080 pixels (9:16 at 1080 x 1920 and 1:1 at 1080 x 1080 also work), with 15 seconds as Google's recommended length and no maximum length. Write a headline of 2 lines at 40 characters per line and a description of 2 lines at 35 characters per line, and use a 16:9 thumbnail of 1280 x 720 pixels under 2 MB.
Checked October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
An in-feed video ad does not play before someone else's video. It shows a thumbnail image from your video with some text, in YouTube search results, next to related videos, on the mobile Home feed and at the top of the Subscriptions tab in the mobile and tablet app. When someone clicks, the video plays on the YouTube watch page or your channel page. That means three assets decide whether the ad works: the video file, the thumbnail and the two short text lines. This guide lists the specs for each from Google Ads help, then walks through making an ad that passes on the first upload. Where Google gives a recommendation rather than a hard limit, the table says so.
| Spec | Google's value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal video | 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixels | 15 seconds recommended. |
| Vertical video | 9:16, 1080 x 1920 pixels | 15 seconds recommended. |
| Square video | 1:1, 1080 x 1080 pixels | 15 seconds recommended. |
| Maximum length | No max length | The 15 seconds above is a recommendation, not a limit. |
| Recommended file format | .MPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4) | .MP4, .MOV, .AVI, .WMV, .FLV, WebM, 3GPP, ProRes, HEVC (h265) and others are also accepted. |
| File size | Less than 256 GB | Audio files such as MP3, WAV or PCM are not accepted. |
| Where the video lives | Hosted on YouTube | Upload to your channel first, then pick it in Google Ads. |
| Headline | 2 lines, 40 characters per line | Not shown on the desktop and TV watch page, and may not show on mobile. |
| Description | 2 lines, 35 characters per line | Not shown on the desktop watch page or on TV. |
| Thumbnail | 16:9, 1280 x 720 pixels (min 1280 x 640) | .JPG, .GIF or .PNG, under 2 MB for videos. |
| Companion banner | Shown on desktop only | Upload your own image or let Google Ads build one from your channel banner. |
YouTube In-Feed Video Ad Specs: Video, Thumbnail and Text Limits
Choose the video shape for where the ad will show
Google accepts 16:9 at 1920 x 1080, 9:16 at 1080 x 1920 and 1:1 at 1080 x 1080 for in-feed ads. Horizontal 16:9 matches the 16:9 thumbnail shape Google lists for video ads. If you already have a vertical cut for Shorts, you can use it, but check that the frame Google pulls for the thumbnail still reads well.
Plan the first seconds and the length
There is no maximum length for in-feed ads and Google recommends 15 seconds. Billing matters here: you are charged when someone clicks to watch, or, in a Video view campaign, when the ad autoplays for at least 10 seconds. Put your product and the reason to care in the opening seconds, because muted autoplay on hover is how many people first see it.
Make a thumbnail that works small
The thumbnail is most of the ad. Use 16:9 at 1280 x 720 pixels (at least 1280 x 640), saved as JPG, GIF or PNG under 2 MB. Use one clear subject, high contrast and very few words, since the headline already carries the text. The free YouTube Thumbnail Resizer crops and resizes an image to a YouTube thumbnail size in your browser.
Write the headline and description to the limits
Write the headline as 2 lines of up to 40 characters each and the description as 2 lines of up to 35 characters each. Put the key message in the headline, since descriptions do not show on the desktop watch page or TV. The free YouTube Ad Mockup previews an in-feed ad with a 16:9 thumbnail, a 2 x 40-character headline and a 2 x 35-character description, so you can see where text wraps.
Make or finish the video in Infinall AI
On Pro, the Video tool in Infinall AI lets you pick a platform preset, set the shape and make a video from 1 to 180 seconds that uses your saved brand. Motion makes animated videos from 10 to 60 seconds on Free and Pro and exports an MP4. To trim, caption or re-export a clip you already have, the AI Editor exports in your browser with no credits.
Upload to YouTube, then build the ad
Upload the finished file to your YouTube channel, because video ad content must be hosted on YouTube. Then create the in-feed ad in Google Ads, or build it in the Infinall Social Hub New ad composer, which can run ads on Google once your ad account is connected (a Pro feature).
How an in-feed ad differs from in-stream and Shorts ads
Skippable and non-skippable in-stream ads play before, during or after other videos. An in-feed ad is a thumbnail plus text that invites a click, and the video then plays on the watch page or channel homepage. Google lists no max length for in-feed ads, while non-skippable in-stream ads run 15 to 60 seconds depending on the campaign subtype, and Shorts ads have a recommended length under 60 seconds.
The campaign type also changes how the ad behaves. In a Video action campaign, in-feed ads include 2 call-to-action buttons: one goes to your final URL and one to the video. In a Video reach or Video view campaign, there is no arrow icon and clicking the ad leads straight to the video. In Google Ads, in-feed ads sit under the campaign objective YouTube reach, views, and engagements.
Text rules that cause cut-offs
The headline and description are short and do not show everywhere. Points to check before you upload:
- Headline: 2 lines, 40 characters per line. Google notes headlines are excluded from the desktop and TV watch page and may not show up on mobile.
- Description: 2 lines, 35 characters per line. Descriptions do not appear on the desktop watch page or on TV.
- Because the text can disappear, the thumbnail and the first frames of the video should explain the offer on their own.
If you also run the same video in a Video action campaign, its text limits are different: Google lists a 30-character headline, a 90-character long headline, a 90-character description and a 10-character call to action there.
File format and size in practice
Google recommends .MPG (MPEG-2 or MPEG-4) but accepts a long list of other formats, including .MP4, .MOV, .AVI, WebM and HEVC (h265). Files should be less than 256 GB, so size is rarely the problem. Audio-only files such as MP3, WAV or PCM are not accepted. If your editor offers several presets, an MP4 export is on Google's accepted list.
Where Infinall AI helps and where it does not
Infinall AI makes the creative: video on Pro, motion videos, images for the thumbnail, voiceovers and copy from your saved brand, so the logo, colours and tone match your other ads. It does not buy media for you. The ad budget is charged by Google to your own ad account. In the New ad composer, saving drafts is free and a live ad uses 2 credits a month.
The free plan gives 1,000 credits every month with no card. Pro is $10 for the first month, then $30 a month or $299 a year, and adds the Video tool and connecting ad accounts. If you already have a finished video and thumbnail, YouTube Studio, Google Ads and the free tools linked here are enough to check and launch it.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a YouTube in-feed video ad be?
Google lists 16:9 at 1920 x 1080 pixels, 9:16 at 1080 x 1920 pixels and 1:1 at 1080 x 1080 pixels for in-feed video ads.
How long can a YouTube in-feed video ad be?
There is no max length for in-feed video ads. Google's specs page recommends 15 seconds.
What is the headline limit for a YouTube in-feed ad?
The headline is 2 lines of 40 characters per line, and the description is 2 lines of 35 characters per line.
What thumbnail size do YouTube video ads use?
Google lists 16:9 at 1280 x 720 pixels, with a minimum of 1280 x 640, as .JPG, .GIF or .PNG under 2 MB for videos.
When am I charged for a YouTube in-feed ad?
You are charged when someone clicks to watch the ad, or, when buying in-feed ads with a Video view campaign, when they watch it autoplay for at least 10 seconds.
Sources and checks
Every price, rating and number on this page comes from the source pages below, checked October 2026. Prices and plans change often, so confirm on the vendor's own page before you buy.
- Google Ads Help: Video ads specs and format requirements, checked October 2026
- Google Ads Help: About video ad formats, checked October 2026
- Infinall docs: Platforms, file types and sizes, checked October 2026
- Infinall docs: Length, shape, quality and versions, checked October 2026
- Infinall docs: Make a motion video, checked October 2026
- Infinall docs: Export your video, checked October 2026
- Infinall docs: Paid ads from the Social Hub, checked October 2026