Facebook carousel ads let you show 2–10 scrollable cards in a single ad unit, each with its own image or video, headline, and link. Getting the specs right is the most basic thing you can do to make these ads look sharp. Wrong dimensions cause cropping, distortion, and lower engagement. Here are the current specs for every element of a Facebook carousel ad.
Facebook Carousel Ad Image Size
The recommended image size for Facebook carousel ads is 1080 x 1080 pixels at a 1:1 aspect ratio. This square format renders consistently across mobile and desktop placements and is the industry standard for carousel creative.
Facebook technically supports aspect ratios from 9:16 to 16:9, but non-square images are cropped to 1:1 in most feed placements. If you use a non-square format, preview your ad across placements before publishing — you'll often find key elements cut off on mobile.
The minimum image size is 600 x 600 pixels, but treat 1080 x 1080 as the practical minimum. Anything smaller looks soft on retina displays.
Facebook Carousel Ad Dimensions: Full Spec Table
| Spec | Requirement |
| Recommended image size | 1080 x 1080 px |
| Minimum image size | 600 x 600 px |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1 (recommended); 9:16 to 16:9 supported |
| Image file formats | JPG, PNG |
| Max image file size | 30 MB |
| Number of cards | 2–10 |
| Primary text | 125 characters recommended (truncates beyond this) |
| Headline per card | 40 characters recommended |
| Description per card | 20 characters recommended |
Facebook Carousel Ad Video Specs
Individual carousel cards can be video instead of still images. You can also mix video and image cards within the same carousel ad.
| Spec | Requirement |
| Recommended video format | MP4, MOV, or GIF |
| Max file size | 4 GB |
| Video duration | 1 second to 240 minutes (6–15 seconds performs best) |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1 recommended (3% tolerance) |
| Resolution | Minimum 1080 x 1080 px recommended |
| Captions | Optional but recommended (most users watch without sound) |
Text Character Limits for Carousel Cards
Each card in a Facebook carousel ad supports its own text fields. Facebook's recommended character limits before truncation:
- Primary text: 125 characters. Text beyond this is hidden behind a "See more" link on most placements.
- Headline per card: 40 characters. This appears directly below the card image.
- Description: 20 characters. Not always shown depending on placement.
- Link description: Appears in some desktop placements, typically hidden on mobile.
Design Best Practices for Facebook Carousel Ad Image Size
Use consistent visual framing across cards. Each card will be viewed individually as the user swipes, but the series should feel cohesive. Using the same background treatment, color palette, or visual style across all cards makes the ad look intentional rather than assembled.
Put your strongest card first. The first card in the carousel is what users see before they swipe. Lead with your most compelling visual or offer. Facebook also auto-optimizes card order based on performance — you can disable this if you want to tell a sequential story.
Design for mobile cropping. Even though 1:1 is the recommended ratio, some placements show a slightly wider view. Keep all critical text and product imagery centered and away from the edges by at least 50–100 pixels.
Avoid excessive text overlays. Facebook historically penalized ads with more than 20% text coverage in images, and while the formal rule has changed, heavy text overlays still tend to reduce delivery in the auction.
Use video cards for high-performing products. Video carousel cards autoplay in the feed. For a product that benefits from demonstration (apparel, food, software), a 6–10 second video card outperforms static images consistently.
Where Facebook Carousel Ads Appear
Facebook carousel ads can run across multiple placements. The 1:1 format is the safest choice because it renders well across all of them:
- Facebook Feed (mobile and desktop)
- Facebook Stories (full-screen; 9:16 creative recommended for this placement separately)
- Facebook Marketplace
- Facebook Right Column (desktop only)
- Instagram Feed and Stories (if running Meta cross-placement campaigns)
- Audience Network
- Messenger Inbox
How Facebook Carousel Ads Differ From Single Image Ads
The key structural difference is that each card in a carousel can have its own destination URL. This makes carousels particularly effective for showcasing a product catalog (each card links to a different product page), telling a sequential story, or highlighting multiple features of a single product. Single image ads are simpler but limited to one visual and one link.
Carousels typically have a lower cost-per-click than single image ads because the interactive format generates more engagement signals, which the Meta algorithm rewards with better delivery pricing.
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