Pinterest ad specs determine the technical requirements your visual content must meet to display correctly on the platform. Getting these specifications right ensures your ads reach Pinterest’s 518 million monthly users without image distortion, cutoff, or quality loss that could undermine your campaign performance.
What are the specs for Pinterest ads?
Pinterest ad specs include specific requirements for aspect ratios, file sizes, and dimensions that vary by ad format. Standard image ads perform best with a 2:3 aspect ratio at 1000 x 1500 pixels, while video ads should use vertical formats like 2:3 or 9:16.
All uploaded images convert to standard 8-bit RGB JPEGs, so advertisers should upload in PNG with sRGB formats to maintain image quality.
The platform supports multiple file types including PNG, JPEG, MP4, and MOV, with maximum file sizes of 20MB for images and 2GB for videos.
Character limits also matter: pin titles cap at 100 characters (though they may truncate at 40), while descriptions allow up to 500-800 characters depending on the ad format.
Why Pinterest Ad specs matter for businesses
Understanding Pinterest’s technical requirements protects your advertising investment and maximizes campaign effectiveness. When specs align correctly, your ads integrate seamlessly into user feeds, appearing professional and trustworthy rather than pixelated or poorly formatted.
Boosting campaign performance
Pinterest users are more likely to shop than those on other platforms, with ads offering a 2X higher return on ad spend for retail brands compared to other social media. Properly formatted ads capture attention in feeds crowded with visually stunning organic content.
Vertical pins that meet the 2:3 aspect ratio occupy more screen real estate on mobile devices, making them more prominent and noticeable to scrolling users.
High-quality visuals that meet Pinterest’s specifications also benefit from the platform’s algorithm. The system rewards relevant, well-formatted content creation with better distribution and lower costs per engagement.
This means your budget stretches further when you get the technical details right from the start.
Avoiding costly mistakes
Incorrect specifications waste your creative investment and ad spend. Images taller than the 2:3 ratio get cropped in feeds, potentially cutting off logos, calls-to-action, or key product features.
Low-resolution content appears fuzzy in user feeds, and since users choose pins to add to their collections, flawless content quality is essential.
File size errors can prevent your ads from uploading entirely, delaying campaign launches and missing time-sensitive promotional windows.
When technical issues force you to recreate assets, you’re paying twice for the same creative work while competitors’ properly formatted ads continue capturing audience attention.
Learn more about social media marketing with our full guide.
Pinterest Ad formats and specs for business
Each Pinterest ad format serves different marketing objectives and requires specific technical specifications. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right format for your social media marketing campaign goals while ensuring your creative assets display correctly.
Promoted pins
Standard promoted pins are the foundation of Pinterest advertising, blending naturally with organic content while driving traffic to your website. The recommended aspect ratio is 2:3 with a dimension of 1000 x 1500 pixels, as anything taller risks cropping in feeds.
These ads accept PNG or JPEG files up to 20MB on desktop (32MB in-app). Your pin title has a 100-character limit, but keep essential information within the first 40 characters to avoid truncation.
Descriptions allow up to 500 characters—use this space for compelling copy that includes relevant keywords, as Pinterest uses this text to determine ad placement.
Video pins
Video content on Pinterest captures attention quickly in scrolling feeds. Pinterest users watch close to 1 billion videos daily, making video one of the best ways to build brand awareness.
Standard width video ads maintain the same proportions as regular pins, while max-width videos extend across users’ entire mobile feed for immersive viewing.
Video ads should run between 6 and 15 seconds to achieve optimal completion rates and engagement. Use MP4, MOV, or M4V formats with H.264 or H.265 encoding. File sizes can reach up to 2GB, with a minimum duration of 4 seconds.
For standard width, use aspect ratios of 1:1 (square), 2:3, 4:5, or 9:16 (vertical). Max-width videos require either 1:1 or 16:9 aspect ratios.
Most users watch with sound off, so ensure your message lands through text overlays and clear visuals even when muted. Open with a hook—a surprising question, bold visual, or compelling moment that stops the scroll within the first second.
Carousel ads
Carousel ads let users swipe through multiple images, making them perfect for showcasing product ranges, step-by-step processes, or different use cases. Each card should maintain the same aspect ratio, either 1:1 (square) or 2:3 (vertical), with 1:1 recommended for consistency.
You can include 2-5 cards per carousel ad, each with its own landing page URL. This format works particularly well for e-commerce brands wanting to display product collections or for storytelling that requires multiple frames.
Maintain visual consistency across cards with a unified color palette, typography, and photography style to create a polished, professional appearance.
Shopping ads
Shopping ads turn product discovery into immediate purchase opportunities by pulling images and details directly from your product catalog.
These ads require a synced product catalog connected to your Pinterest Business account and follow the same specifications as standard image and video ads.
Product images should be high-resolution (at least 800 x 800 pixels) with items clearly visible against white or neutral backgrounds. Your product feed must maintain accurate pricing, clear keyword-rich titles, and current inventory information.
The better your product data quality, the more effectively Pinterest can display your ads to users searching for similar items.
Recommended image and video dimensions for businesses
Following best practices for Pinterest ad dimensions ensures your content displays correctly across all devices and placements. These recommendations come from analyzing top-performing ads and platform guidelines.
Use vertical formats consistently: The 2:3 aspect ratio (1000 x 1500 pixels) dominates Pinterest for good reason. Vertical images stand out in user feeds and take up more screen space, particularly on mobile devices where most Pinterest browsing occurs. Square formats (1:1) are supported but vertical consistently outperforms.
Keep critical elements in safe zones: Avoid placing logos in the bottom-right corner, as Pinterest’s visual search icon may obscure them. Keep text, branding, and calls-to-action within the central area of your image where they won’t be cut off by interface elements or aspect ratio adjustments.
Optimize for mobile viewing first: Most Pinterest users access the platform via mobile devices. Design your ads for small screens, using large, legible text overlays and ensuring your product or key message remains clear even at thumbnail size. Test how your creative appears on actual mobile devices before launching.
Match video length to platform behavior: Short videos of 6-15 seconds perform best because users want to learn about brands quickly while browsing through numerous pins. Front-load your most important message and brand identification within the first 3 seconds to capture attention before users scroll past.
Use high-resolution assets without bloating file sizes: While Pinterest accepts images up to 20MB, optimize your files to load quickly without sacrificing visual quality. Compress images using tools that maintain sharpness while reducing file size. This improves user experience, particularly for users on slower mobile connections.
Creating Pinterest ads that drive business results
Success on Pinterest requires more than meeting technical specifications. The platform rewards brands that inspire action through compelling visuals paired with strategic messaging. Your ads should fit seamlessly into the discovery-focused environment where users actively seek ideas and solutions.
Ready to create Pinterest ads that meet platform specifications while delivering business results? Contact CEEK Marketing to develop a Pinterest advertising strategy tailored to your brand’s goals and audience.