Meta recommends a 4:5 ratio for single images in Facebook Feed, 1:1 in Instagram Feed and 9:16 for Stories, Status and Reels. For carousels it recommends 1:1 or 4:5, with the same ratio on every card.
TL;DR
- 4:5 for single images in Facebook Feed, 1:1 in Instagram Feed, 9:16 for Stories, Status and Reels.
- A 1080 pixel width is a common working size, for example 1080 by 1350 for 4:5.
- 1:1 and 4:5 are both supported in Feed, so one 4:5 image can serve Facebook and Instagram.
- Keep text and logos away from the edges of tall formats.
- Check the preview for each placement before you publish.
Which ratio goes with which placement?
| Placement | Ratio Meta recommends | Working size (pixels) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook Feed, single image | 4:5 | 1080 by 1350 | 1:1 also works |
| Instagram Feed, single image | 1:1 | 1080 by 1080 | 4:5 also works |
| Stories | 9:16 | 1080 by 1920 | Full screen, text laid over the media |
| Reels | 9:16 | 1080 by 1920 | Full screen video |
| Status | 9:16 | 1080 by 1920 | Same tall shape as Stories |
| Carousel | 1:1 or 4:5 | 1080 by 1080 or 1080 by 1350 | Same ratio on every card |
The ratios come from Meta's aspect ratio guidance. The pixel sizes are working defaults that match those ratios at a common width, not a separate rule from Meta, so check Ads Manager if you need a limit for a specific placement.
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Try for Free ($0 Trial)Why does the ratio matter?
Meta recommends 9:16 for Stories, Status and Reels because most people hold their phones upright. A square image in a tall placement shows with empty space or gets cropped, and either one wastes the area where people look. The other reason is delivery: if a placement shows a poor crop, it may cost more per result, so check results by placement in Ads Manager.
A worked example for one ad
A made-up bakery wants one concept to run in four places.
- Make the hero image at 1080 by 1350 (4:5). It runs in Facebook Feed and Instagram Feed.
- Make a 1080 by 1920 (9:16) version for Stories and Reels. This is a new layout, not a stretched copy, with the pastry in the middle and the text near the center.
- Make a three-card carousel at 1080 by 1350 for Feed.
- Preview all four in Ads Manager and fix any cropped text.
That is three files, not one, and it takes less time than fixing cropped ads after launch.
What mistakes cause cropping?
- Uploading one square image everywhere. Tall placements crop or pad it.
- Putting text on the edges. Tall formats lay the profile name and buttons over the media.
- Mixing ratios in a carousel. Meta recommends the same ratio on every card.
- Trusting an automatic crop. Review each one before publishing. Meta's tips for text in ads suggest tailoring copy by placement.
Our answer on the Meta ad creative safe zone shows where to keep text and logos inside a tall frame.
How do you check before you publish?
Open the ad in Ads Manager and use the preview for each placement. Look at the first frame, the text and the button. If a placement looks wrong, upload a native version for it, or turn the placement off for that ad. When you launch many ads, resizing by hand gets slow, which is where a tool such as Madgicx Ad Launcher can help with launching.
Where Madgicx fits
Madgicx helps you make the versions you need. The Madgicx AI Ad Generator generates image ads from a prompt, an image or any ad in the Meta Ad Library, ready to edit, so you can produce a tall and a square version of one concept. It makes images, not video. You review each version before it runs.
FAQ
What is the best size for a Facebook ad?
For a single image in Facebook Feed, Meta recommends 4:5. A 1080 by 1350 pixel file matches it.
What size is a Meta Reels ad?
Meta recommends 9:16, which is 1080 by 1920 pixels at a common width.
Can I use one image for Facebook and Instagram?
Yes, a 4:5 image works in both Feeds. Stories and Reels need a 9:16 version.
Does Meta crop my ad automatically?
Meta can crop for a placement when the ratio does not fit. Review the preview, because an automatic crop can cut text.
Related
- Answers: What is ad creative on Facebook?
- Answers: Meta ad creative formats
- Answers: Improving Facebook ad creatives
Go deeper
Our post on creatives in advertising covers formats and design basics in full.
Sources
- Best practices for aspect ratios, Meta Business Help Center
- Creative best practices for text in ads, Meta Business Help Center
