TikTok’s carousel ads and posts have gained popularity as an effective way to showcase multiple images or videos in a single swipeable format. Whether you’re an advertiser or a content creator, understanding TikTok carousel specs is crucial for optimizing your content and maximizing engagement. In this guide, we’ll cover the latest specifications and best practices for 2025.

What Are TikTok Carousel Ads & Posts?

TikTok offers two types of carousel-style content:

• TikTok Carousel Ads: These appear as swipeable images within the For You Page or feed.

• TikTok Image Posts (Photo Mode): A non-ad format allowing users to upload multiple images in a slideshow format with music.

TikTok Carousel Image Specs

For carousel image ads:

• Recommended Image Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels

• Aspect Ratio: 9:16, 1:1, or 16:9

• File Formats: JPG or PNG

• Maximum File Size: 500 KB per image

• Number of Images: 2 to 10 images per carousel ad

• Text & Captions: Recommended under 100 characters to avoid truncation

For photo mode posts:

• Recommended Image Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels

• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical preferred)

• File Formats: JPG or PNG

• Number of Images: Up to 35 per post

• Music: Can be added to enhance engagement

TikTok Carousel Video Specs

• Recommended Video Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels

• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical), 1:1, or 16:9

• File Formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, or GIF

• Maximum File Size: 500 MB per video

• Number of Videos: 2 to 10 per carousel ad

• Video Length: Up to 60 seconds per video

• Captions & Overlays: Keep text concise and within TikTok’s safe zones

Best Practices for TikTok Carousel Posts & Ads

To make the most of TikTok carousels, follow these best practices:

• Use High-Quality Visuals: Avoid pixelation by uploading high-resolution images or videos.

• Optimize for Mobile Viewing: Keep text within safe zones to ensure visibility.

• Engaging Captions & CTAs: Encourage interaction with concise and compelling calls to action.

• Leverage TikTok’s Music Library: Adding trending sounds can increase engagement.

• A/B Test Different Formats: Experiment with various layouts and aspect ratios to determine what works best.

TikTok Carousel Ads vs. Regular Carousel Posts

Conclusion

Understanding TikTok carousel specs is key to creating visually appealing and engaging content. Whether you’re using carousels for ads or organic posts, optimizing your images and videos according to TikTok’s guidelines ensures a seamless user experience and better engagement. Start experimenting with different formats today to see what resonates best with your audience!

FAQs

1. How many images can I include in a TikTok carousel post? You can include up to 35 images in a photo mode post and up to 10 images in a carousel ad.

2. Can I add music to TikTok carousel ads? No, music is only available for organic carousel posts, not ads.

3. What is the best aspect ratio for TikTok carousel images? The recommended aspect ratio is 9:16, but 1:1 and 16:9 are also supported.

4. How long can TikTok carousel videos be? Each video can be up to 60 seconds long in a carousel ad.

5. What file formats are supported for TikTok carousels? For images: JPG, PNG. For videos: MP4, MOV, AVI, or GIF.

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