Correction, 2026-10-02: the Length section said Merge Videos joins clips into a longer ad. Merge Videos (the Montage node) uses at most 15 seconds of each clip, so it cannot join 30-second generations in full, and its output has no sound. Ads with sound, or built from longer clips, are cut on the Video Editor timeline.
Meta's ads guide lists these specs for Instagram Reels video ads: 9:16, a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, MP4 or MOV, up to 4 GB, up to 15 minutes long, at a constant frame rate. The part that decides whether an ad works is the safe zone: Meta asks you to keep at least 14% at the top, 35% at the bottom and 6% on each side free of text, logos and key elements, because the profile icon, caption and call to action sit there.
TL;DR
| Spec | Instagram Reels video ads |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2560 |
| Formats | MP4, MOV |
| File size | up to 4 GB |
| Length | up to 15 minutes |
| Frame rate | constant |
| Safe zone | keep 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% each side clear |
From Meta's Facebook Ads Guide, Instagram Reels video specs, checked 2026-09-29.
Composing AI video for the safe zone
On a 1440 x 2560 frame, the safe zone leaves roughly this area for anything that must be seen:
| Edge | Keep clear | On 1440 x 2560 |
|---|---|---|
| Top | 14% | about the top 358 px |
| Bottom | 35% | about the bottom 896 px |
| Left and right | 6% each | about 86 px each side |
That puts the usable area in the upper-middle of the frame. When you prompt a vertical shot, say where the subject goes: "subject framed in the upper-middle third, lower third empty" is more useful than hoping. A generated product close to the bottom edge will sit under the caption.
Add text in the edit, not in the generation, so you can place it inside the safe zone exactly.
Resolution from AI models
Meta's figure is 1440 x 2560. Among the video models on 8frame, Veo 3.1 and Veo 3.1 Fast deliver 1080p (1080 x 1920 in 9:16) and Hailuo H3 delivers 2K. Wan 3.0 and Happy Horse go to 1080p when you choose it; Seedance and Grok Imagine stop at 720p. A 1080 x 1920 file is the common delivery size for vertical video; if you want to match Meta's figure, Hailuo H3 is the model that gets closest without upscaling. Details in AI video resolution by model.
Length
Reels ads can run up to 15 minutes; one AI generation on 8frame runs up to 30 seconds (Wan 3.0, Seedance 2.5). Longer ads are several clips joined. Merge Videos on the canvas joins 2 to 10 clips for 10 credits, but it uses at most 15 seconds of each and returns the picture without sound, so cut a longer ad, or any ad with sound, on the timeline of 8frame's Video Editor mode, which has sound layers. For choosing models, see best AI video for Instagram Reels.
FAQ
What size should an Instagram Reels ad be? 9:16 at 1440 x 2560 pixels, per Meta's ads guide.
What is the Instagram Reels safe zone? Keep at least 14% at the top, 35% at the bottom and 6% on each side free of text, logos and key elements.
How long can an Instagram Reels ad be? Up to 15 minutes, per Meta's ads guide.
What is the maximum file size for a Reels ad? 4 GB, as MP4 or MOV.
Sources
- Meta Facebook Ads Guide, Instagram Reels video specs: 9:16, 1440 x 2560, MP4 or MOV, up to 4 GB, 0 seconds to 15 minutes, constant frame rate, safe zone 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% each side: facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video/instagram-reels, fetched 2026-09-29
- 8frame resolutions and clip lengths: the 8frame app, checked 2026-09-29
Frame the subject high, keep the bottom third for Meta's interface. The 8frame canvas is free and unlimited; generation is paid from $19/month.