Meta Static Ad Sizes 2026: Feed, Stories and Reels Specs Plus Safe Zones

By Kaleb Phillips · November 4, 2026

Part of Static Facebook Ads for Ecommerce: The Complete Playbook

For Meta static ads in 2026, make two files per ad: a 4:5 image for Facebook and Instagram Feed, which Meta's Ads Guide recommends at 1440 x 1800 pixels, and a 9:16 image for Stories and Reels, recommended at 1440 x 2560. On the 9:16 version, keep roughly the top 14%, the bottom 35% and 6% of each side clear of text and logos. Everything below was checked against Meta's Ads Guide and Business Help Center on November 4, 2026; Meta updates specs, so recheck before a large production run.

Recommended static sizes per placement

Spec sheet (as of November 4, 2026)

Other details from the Ads Guide for Facebook Feed images: minimum width 600 pixels, and an aspect ratio tolerance of 3%. Instagram Stories lists a minimum width of 500 pixels and a 1% ratio tolerance. For placements not listed (Instagram Feed, Marketplace, search, right column, carousel), check the specific page in Meta's Ads Guide.

1080 vs 1440

Many people still export at 1080 x 1350 (4:5) and 1080 x 1920 (9:16). Meta's current recommended resolution is the 1440 versions. If you are making new files, export at 1440 wide. Older 1080 files can still meet minimums, but use the recommended size for new work.

1080x1350 vs 1080x1080 for Facebook ads

Both are allowed in feed. Meta's best practices page says you can use 1:1 or 4:5 for Facebook Feed and recommends vertical 4:5 for single-image ads delivered to Facebook Feed. The practical difference: 4:5 is taller, so it takes up more of a phone screen as people scroll. Unless you have a reason to use square, start with 4:5.

Safe zones for Stories and Reels

Stories and Reels put interface elements over your image: the profile name and icon at the top, and the call-to-action, captions and buttons at the bottom.

The guidance

Meta's Ads Guide for Facebook Stories, Instagram Stories and Facebook Reels images suggests keeping roughly:

• Top 14% clear
• Bottom 35% clear
• 6% on each side clear

of text, logos and other key elements.

In pixels on a 1440 x 2560 canvas

These are just the percentages applied to the canvas, rounded:

So your text and logo live in a box roughly 1268 px wide by 1306 px tall, starting about 358 px from the top. The background can extend edge to edge; only key elements need to stay inside.

Instagram Story ad safe zone for a static image

Same guidance as above, from Meta's Instagram Stories image spec page. A simple way to check: put a semi-transparent overlay on your design file covering the top 14% and bottom 35%. If anything important is under the overlay, move it.

Facebook Reels text note

For Facebook Reels image ads, Meta's Ads Guide recommends not adding text on the image because of the small image size. If you serve the same 9:16 file to Reels, make sure the image still works when the text is hard to read.

One design, multiple crops: workflow

If you upload only one image, Meta can crop or adapt it for other placements. That can cut off text or the product. Meta's best practices page mentions asset customization, which lets you use different images per placement in one ad. Use it.

The workflow we use

1. Design the 9:16 first with the safe zone overlay on. It is the most restrictive frame.
2. Place the product and hook in the middle band, inside the safe zone.
3. Extend to 4:5 by cropping the top and bottom of the 9:16 design. Because key elements are already in the middle, they survive.
4. Check the 4:5 for balance. Nudge text up if it now sits too low.
5. Upload both and assign them to placements with asset customization.
6. Preview every placement in Ads Manager before publishing.

One image for feed and Stories: what goes wrong

• Text at the very top of a 4:5 lands under the profile name in Stories.
• A 4:5 in Stories may be shown with background fill, which looks less native.
• Fine print at the bottom gets hidden by the CTA.

Building both sizes avoids all three.

4:5 vs 1:1 vs 9:16 trade-offs

There is no universal answer to "4:5 vs 9:16 static ads, which performs better," because each is built for different placements. Meta delivers to placements, so the question is which file each placement should get.

Decision rule

• Running Advantage+ placements or automatic placements: supply 4:5 and 9:16 for every ad.
• Running feed only: 4:5 is enough.
• Running carousel: check the carousel spec page for your placements.

To test which performs better in your account, use the placement breakdown in Ads Manager and compare cost per purchase by placement over enough spend. That tells you about your ads, which is more useful than general claims.

Export checklist

• 4:5 at 1440 x 1800 for feed
• 9:16 at 1440 x 2560 for Stories and Reels
• Text and logo inside the 9:16 safe zone (top 14%, bottom 35%, sides 6%)
• JPG or PNG
• Under the max file size listed in the Ads Guide
• sRGB color profile so colors look the same on phones
• Text readable on a phone screen at actual size
• File names include concept and ratio, e.g. "review-card_v2_4x5.png"
• Both files assigned with asset customization
• Every placement previewed, including with Advantage+ creative enhancements; see Advantage+ creative for static ads

Making text survive at phone size

A 1440-wide file is shown much smaller on a phone. Before export:

1. Zoom your design to roughly the size it appears on a phone screen.
2. Read every word from arm's length.
3. If anything is hard to read, make it bigger or delete it.
4. Check light text on busy photos; add a solid or blurred panel behind it if needed.

Small type is the most common reason a correctly sized ad still fails.

Spec change log habit

Meta changes recommended specs from time to time. Keep a note in your design file with the date you last checked the Ads Guide, and recheck monthly. For how sizes fit into a full creative system, see the static Facebook ads playbook.

FAQ

What size should Meta static ads be in 2026?

As of November 4, 2026, Meta's Ads Guide recommends 4:5 at 1440 x 1800 for Facebook Feed and 9:16 at 1440 x 2560 for Stories and Reels. JPG or PNG files are accepted. Recheck the Ads Guide before large production runs.

Is 1080x1350 or 1080x1080 better for Facebook ads?

Meta allows both in Facebook Feed and recommends vertical 4:5 for single-image feed ads, and 4:5 takes up more screen space than square. For new files, Meta's recommended 4:5 size is 1440 x 1800. Test in your own account using the placement breakdown.

What is the Instagram Story ad safe zone for a static image?

Meta's guidance is to keep roughly the top 14%, the bottom 35% and 6% on each side clear of text, logos and key elements. On a 1440 x 2560 canvas that is about 358 px at the top, 896 px at the bottom and 86 px on each side. Backgrounds can still extend to the edges.

Can I use one image for feed and Stories?

You can, and Meta may crop or adapt it, but text and products often end up cut off or covered. It is safer to upload a 4:5 and a 9:16 version and assign them by placement. Design the 9:16 first so key elements sit in the middle.

Kaleb Phillips is a former top Meta media buyer who has managed well over $100 million in ad spend.

hope this helps. and if you'd rather not spend the time and effort figuring it out on your own, you can always use Duggie: https://app.duggie.io