When you advertise on Instagram, you have more than one option for your ad type. There are currently 7 different Instagram ad types, each perfect for a slightly different marketing campaign. So, it is important for you to understand all the 7 types of ad and their format including specs and sizes.

Here we start with the most important ad types and their formats.

1. Single Image Ads

Single image ad is the most widely used ad type in Instagram advertisement. This ad type consists of an image, ad copy, and a call-to-action button. The Instagram image size can vary depending on the size of your uploaded photo. You can use this for all kinds of advertising offers as you can use different types of images and offers inside the Single Image Ad format.

Single Image Instagram Ad Specs

• Caption: up to 125 characters
• Media Type: image
• Recommended Image Size: 1080 x 1080 pixels or 1200 x 628 pixels (the typical Facebook ad image size)
• Image Format: .jpg or .png
• File Size: 30 MB

2. Instagram Carousel Ads

Carousel Ad have some small dots under the image which shows that there are more images to be seen. These ads can be a bit trickier to compile than Single Image Ads. With these ads you can create a step-by-step product user manual, brand storytelling and much more.

Instagram Carousel Ad Specs

• Caption: up to 125 characters
• Media Type: image or video
• Recommended Image/Video Resolution: 600 x 600 pixels, max. 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Image Format: .jpg or .png
• Minimum Number of Cards: 2
• Maximum Number of Cards: 10
• Image Ratio: 1:1
• Video Aspect Ratio: 1:1
• Minimum Video Length: 3 seconds
• Maximum Video Length: 60 seconds
• Video Thumbnail Image Ratio: Should match the aspect ratio of your video. If not, thumbnail auto resize is available.

3. Instagram Video Ads

With video ads you can promote your offer with a video or GIF. Video ads can share an engaging message about your brand, and you can present your product’s working very easily.

Instagram Video Ad Specs

Caption: up to 125 characters

Media Type: video

Recommended Video Resolution: 600 x 600 pixels (square) or 600 x 315 pixels (landscape)

Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square) or 1.9:1 (landscape)

Minimum Resolution: 600 x 600 pixels

Maximum Resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels

Minimum Length: 3 seconds

Maximum Length: 60 seconds

Maximum Size: 4GB

Frame Rate: 30fps max

File Type: .mp4 container

Video: H.264 video compression, high profile preferred, square pixels, fixed frame rate, progressive scan

Audio: Stereo AAC audio compression, 128kbps + preferred

4. Slideshow Ads

Slideshow Ads seems like Carousel Ads but there is a little difference. The Slideshow Ads let you add up to 10 images and music to create a looping video ad.

Instagram Slideshow Ad Specs

Caption: up to 125 characters

Media Type: images + soundtrack

Image Duration: up to 50sec per image

Image Size: min. 600 x 600 pixels, max. 1080 x 1080 pixels. If you use images of different sizes, your slideshow will be cropped to be square.

Music File Format: WAV, MP3, M4A, FLAC and OGG. You must have all legal rights necessary to use the song.

These ad formats are mainly used by the marketers to promote their brand and attract more and more visitors.