Last updated: September 30, 2026 · Will Cousin, VinScroll
What are the vertical video ad specs for car dealers?
Meta recommends 9:16 vertical video at 1440 x 2560 pixels for Reels and Stories, and 4:5 at 1440 x 1800 pixels for the Facebook feed. Each placement has its own length and text limits, plus areas the app covers with buttons and captions. Build one vertical video and check it against each placement.
What does Meta ask for in Reels?
Meta's Instagram Reels spec asks for 9:16 video at 1440 x 2560 pixels, as MP4 or MOV, up to 4GB. Meta suggests 44 characters of primary text, so the year, model, and price belong in the video itself. Meta suggests leaving at least 14% of the top, 35% of the bottom, and 6% on each side free of text and logos, so the app's buttons and caption don't cover them.
source (checked September 30, 2026)
What about Stories?
Facebook Stories uses the same 9:16 frame at 1440 x 2560 pixels, with video from 1 second to 3 minutes. Meta recommends 125 characters of primary text and a 40-character headline. The bottom safe zone is smaller than in Reels: Meta suggests keeping roughly 14% (250 pixels) of the top and 20% (340 pixels) of the bottom clear. Videos longer than 15 seconds get split into separate Stories cards.
source (checked September 30, 2026)
And the Facebook feed?
For the feed, Meta recommends 4:5 at 1440 x 1800 pixels, a little shorter than full vertical. The text recommendation is 50 to 150 characters of primary text and a 27-character headline. On all three placements, Meta lists captions and sound as optional but recommended.
source (checked September 30, 2026)
How do the three placements compare?
Here are the numbers side by side. Each column comes from the Meta placement page linked in the section above it. Meta changes these pages from time to time, so check them before you build a batch of videos.
| Instagram Reels | Facebook feed | Facebook Stories | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 | 4:5 | 9:16 |
| Recommended resolution | 1440 x 2560 pixels | 1440 x 1800 pixels | 1440 x 2560 pixels |
| Video length | 0 seconds to 15 minutes | 1 second to 241 minutes | 1 second to 3 minutes |
| Max file size | 4GB | 4GB | 4GB |
| Primary text | 44 characters | 50 to 150 characters | 125 characters |
| Headline | Not listed | 27 characters | 40 characters |
| Keep clear of text and logos | Top 14%, bottom 35%, 6% each side | Not listed | Top 14%, bottom 20% |
What should the first frame show?
Open on the car with its price already on screen. Shoppers scroll fast, and a logo intro spends the opening on your store instead of the unit. Put the year, make, model, and price inside the safe zone from the first frame, and save your branding for the end card.
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Common questions
Can I use one video for Reels, Stories, and the feed?
Usually, yes. Build it at 9:16 and keep text inside the Reels safe zone, which is the tightest of the ones Meta lists: the top 14%, the bottom 35%, and 6% on each side stay clear. That file fits Stories too. Meta recommends 4:5 for the feed, so preview the vertical version there before it runs.
How long should a car video ad be?
For one unit, 15 seconds or less is a good target. Meta allows much longer videos, but Facebook Stories splits anything over 15 seconds into separate cards. A short video still has room for the car's photos, the price, and a link to its VDP.
Does a car video ad need sound?
No, but Meta recommends it. Sound and captions are listed as optional but recommended on Reels, Stories, and the feed, and Meta calls sound strongly recommended for Instagram Reels. Put the price and model on screen so the ad still works for shoppers who watch muted.
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