Facebook Carousel Ad Specs: Complete 2025 Specifications Guide

Facebook carousel ads allow you to showcase multiple images or videos in a single ad unit, making them perfect for product catalogs, storytelling, and multi-feature campaigns. This complete guide covers all the technical specifications and best practices you need.

Quick Reference: Facebook Carousel Ad Specs

Complete Facebook Carousel Ad Specifications

Image Requirements

Recommended Dimensions:

• 1080 x 1080 pixels (square format)
• 1200 x 628 pixels (landscape format)

Supported Aspect Ratios:

• 1:1 (Square): 1080 x 1080 px - Most popular
• 1.91:1 (Landscape): 1200 x 628 px - Good for storytelling
• 4:5 (Vertical): 1080 x 1350 px - Mobile-optimized

Technical Specs:

• File formats: JPG, PNG (PNG recommended for graphics with text)
• Maximum file size: 30 MB per image
• Color space: sRGB
• Resolution: Minimum 600 x 600 pixels

Video Requirements (for Video Carousels)

Video Specifications:

• Aspect ratios: 1:1, 4:5, 16:9
• Resolution: Minimum 720p
• Duration: 1 second to 241 minutes
• File size: Maximum 4 GB
• Formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, GIF

Text & Copy Specifications

Primary Text:

• Character limit: 125 characters
• Best practice: 40-80 characters for mobile optimization
• Appears above: The carousel images

Headline (per card):

• Character limit: 40 characters
• Appears below: Each carousel image
• Best practice: Keep under 25 characters

Description (optional):

• Character limit: 30 characters
• Appears below: Headline text
• Usage: Additional context or CTA

Call-to-Action Button:

• Standard Facebook CTA options available
• Same CTA applies to entire carousel
• Popular options: Learn More, Shop Now, Sign Up

Carousel Card Requirements

Number of Cards

• Minimum: 2 cards required
• Maximum: 10 cards allowed
• Optimal: 3-5 cards for best performance
• Mobile display: 1.75 cards visible initially

Individual Card Specs

• Each card needs: Individual headline and link
• Image consistency: All images should have same aspect ratio
• Link destinations: Can link to different pages
• Card order: Matters for storytelling and user flow

Platform-Specific Display Differences

Facebook Feed Carousel Specs

Desktop Feed:

• Shows 2-3 cards initially
• Users can scroll horizontally
• Full 1080x1080 display
• Text appears above and below

Mobile Feed:

• Shows 1.75 cards initially
• Swipe gesture to navigate
• Optimized for thumb scrolling
• Text may be truncated

Instagram Carousel (Cross-posted)

When running Facebook carousel ads on Instagram:

• Image specs remain the same
• Text limits apply differently
• Stories placement available
• Explore placement supported

Carousel Ad Design Best Practices

Visual Consistency

• Maintain brand colors across all cards
• Use consistent fonts and design elements
• Match image quality and style
• Consider card flow and visual progression

Content Strategy

• Tell a story across multiple cards
• Showcase different product angles or features
• Create tutorials or step-by-step guides
• Highlight various benefits or use cases

Text Optimization

• Front-load important information in primary text
• Use action-oriented headlines for each card
• Keep descriptions concise and scannable
• Include clear call-to-actions

High-Converting Carousel Ad Examples

1. Product Catalog Carousel

Use case: E-commerce showcasing multiple products

• Card 1-5: Different products with prices
• Headlines: Product names + key benefits
• CTA: "Shop Now"
• Best for: Retail, fashion, electronics

2. Feature Highlight Carousel

Use case: SaaS showcasing app features

• Card 1: Problem statement
• Cards 2-4: Key features with visuals
• Card 5: CTA or testimonial
• Best for: Software, apps, services

3. Before/After Carousel

Use case: Transformation or results showcase

• Card 1: "Before" state
• Card 2: Process or method
• Card 3: "After" result
• Best for: Fitness, beauty, home improvement

4. Tutorial/How-to Carousel

Use case: Educational step-by-step content

• Cards 1-5: Sequential steps
• Clear numbering: Step 1, 2, 3, etc.
• Final card: Result or CTA
• Best for: DIY, cooking, tutorials

Technical Setup & Upload Guidelines

Preparing Images

1. Create all images at 1080 x 1080 pixels
2. Ensure consistent quality across all cards
3. Optimize file sizes (under 1 MB recommended)
4. Test different aspect ratios for performance
5. Include branding without overwhelming the image

Facebook Ads Manager Setup

1. Choose Carousel as ad format
2. Upload 2-10 images in desired order
3. Add headlines for each card (40 characters max)
4. Set destination URLs for each card
5. Add primary text and call-to-action
6. Preview across placements before publishing

Quality Checks Before Publishing

• Image sharpness: No blurry or pixelated images
• Text readability: Readable on mobile devices
• Brand consistency: Consistent with brand guidelines
• Link testing: All destination URLs work correctly
• Mobile preview: Check mobile appearance

Carousel Performance Optimization

A/B Testing Elements

• Image order: Test different card sequences
• Aspect ratios: Compare 1:1 vs 1.91:1 performance
• Number of cards: Test 3 vs 5 vs 7 cards
• Headlines: Test different headline approaches
• CTAs: Compare different call-to-action buttons

Performance Metrics to Monitor

• Click-through rate (CTR): Overall and per-card
• Cost per click (CPC): Optimization metric
• Relevance score: Facebook's quality indicator
• Card interactions: Which cards perform best
• Conversion rate: Final business objective

Common Optimization Issues

• Low CTR: Try more compelling visuals or headlines
• High CPC: Improve ad relevance and targeting
• Poor mobile performance: Optimize for mobile viewing
• Card 1 dominance: Reorder cards for better distribution

Advanced Carousel Strategies

Dynamic Product Ads (DPA)

• Automatic product pulling from catalog
• Personalized recommendations based on user behavior
• Real-time inventory updates
• Optimal for e-commerce with large product catalogs

Multi-Objective Carousels

• Different goals per card: Awareness + Conversion
• Funnel progression: Top to bottom of funnel
• Cross-selling opportunities: Related products

Seasonal Carousel Campaigns

• Holiday-specific imagery and messaging
• Limited-time offers across multiple cards
• Event-based storytelling

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Design Mistakes

• Inconsistent image quality across cards
• Too much text on images (20% text rule)
• Poor mobile optimization
• Unclear call-to-actions

Strategy Mistakes

• No logical card progression
• Overwhelming number of cards (over 7)
• Weak opening card that doesn't grab attention
• Generic headlines without value proposition

Technical Mistakes

• Wrong aspect ratios causing cropping
• Large file sizes slowing load times
• Broken destination links
• Missing UTM parameters for tracking

Tools for Creating Carousel Ads

Design Tools

• Canva: Pre-sized Facebook carousel templates
• Adobe Creative Suite: Professional design capabilities
• Figma: Collaborative design platform
• Facebook Creative Hub: Built-in design tools

Automation Tools

• Facebook Business Manager: Native carousel creation
• AdEspresso: A/B testing for carousels
• Qwaya: Advanced carousel management
• Revealbot: Automated optimization

Measuring Carousel Success

Key Metrics Dashboard

• Overall campaign CTR: Target 1.5%+
• Individual card performance: Identify top performers
• Cost metrics: CPC, CPM, CPA
• Engagement metrics: Likes, shares, comments

Reporting Best Practices

• Weekly performance reviews
• Card-level analysis for optimization
• Creative fatigue monitoring
• ROI tracking by campaign objective

Facebook carousel ads offer powerful storytelling and conversion opportunities when executed with proper specifications and strategy. Focus on high-quality visuals, compelling copy, and continuous optimization for best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the exact Facebook carousel ad dimensions for 2025?

The recommended Facebook carousel ad dimensions are 1080 x 1080 pixels (square format) with a 1:1 aspect ratio. You can also use 1200 x 628 pixels for landscape format or 1080 x 1350 pixels for vertical mobile-optimized format. Each image should be under 30 MB with JPG or PNG format.

How many cards can I include in a Facebook carousel ad?

Facebook carousel ads support between 2 and 10 cards per carousel. However, the optimal number for best performance is typically 3-5 cards. Mobile users see approximately 1.75 cards initially, so your first card should be especially compelling.

What's the character limit for carousel ad text and headlines?

For carousel ads, the primary text limit is 125 characters, though 40-80 characters work best for mobile optimization. Each card's headline has a 40-character limit, with 25 characters or less being ideal. Optional descriptions are limited to 30 characters per card.

Can each carousel card link to a different webpage?

Yes, each carousel card can have its own unique destination URL and headline. This makes carousel ads perfect for showcasing different products that lead to specific product pages, or different services that link to relevant landing pages.

Should I use square or landscape images for carousel ads?

Square images (1080 x 1080 pixels) are most popular and work well across all placements including Instagram. Landscape images (1200 x 628 pixels) are good for storytelling but may not perform as well on mobile. Test both formats to see which works better for your specific audience and campaign goals.

How do I optimize carousel ads for mobile users?

To optimize for mobile, use square 1080 x 1080 images, keep headlines under 25 characters, ensure text is readable at small sizes, make your first card compelling since it's most visible, and test your ads on mobile devices before publishing. Remember that mobile users see fewer cards initially.

What file format should I use for carousel ad images?

Use JPG format for photographs and complex images as it provides smaller file sizes. Use PNG format for graphics with text or when you need transparency. Both formats are supported, but JPG is generally preferred for faster loading times while maintaining good quality.

How often should I update my carousel ad creative?

Update your carousel ad creative every 2-4 weeks to prevent ad fatigue. Monitor performance metrics like CTR and relevance scores - when these decline, it's time for new creative. For seasonal businesses, update more frequently to match current promotions and seasonal themes.

Related Resources

• LinkedIn Image Specs Tool: Get exact LinkedIn image dimensions
• Social Media Image Size Tool: All platform image specifications
• Social Media Management Workflow: Organize your ad creation process

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