How to make a TikTok ad: a short video that feels native and sells
MaestroCut Editorial Team 3 min readPublished:
A TikTok ad should be vertical 1080×1920 (9:16), run 15–35 seconds and show a hook within the first two seconds. Because TikTok's caption block at the bottom is large, keep text 480 px from the bottom and 160 px from the right. The best-performing ads don't look like ads — they look like native TikTok content.
TikTok video specs and safe zone
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (vertical) |
| Resolution | 1080×1920 pixels |
| Recommended length | 15–35 s |
| Frame rate | 30 fps (up to 60) |
| Safe-zone margins | top 160 · bottom 480 · left 60 · right 160 px |
| Free for text | 53.1% of the frame (860×1280 px) |
Source: MaestroCut platform data set (2026-10).
TikTok's caption block grows as the caption gets longer, so its bottom safe margin (480 px) is noticeably bigger than on Instagram Reels (380 px). Leave 160 px on the right for the action column too.
The structure of a TikTok ad that sells
- 1
0–2 s: the hook
Write the problem, the result or a curiosity question in the first frame. A direct line like "You've been looking for this for 3 days" stops thumbs far better than a logo.
- 2
2–8 s: the demo
Show the product in use: the screen, the hands, the result. Focus on one benefit.
- 3
8–20 s: proof and detail
A real number, a short customer quote or a step-by-step use. Never invent numbers.
- 4
Last 3 s: one call to action
One action such as "Try it now" or "Order from our profile". Put it on the last strong beat of the music.
Sound and music
TikTok is a sound-on platform, yet your ad must still make sense on mute: the text alone has to carry the message. Popular songs usually can't be used in ad accounts; use commercially licensed music or a score made for the video. Cutting on the bars of the music brings your video closer to TikTok's rhythmic language (editing to the beat).
Common TikTok ad mistakes
- Putting text behind the caption block at the bottom.
- Uploading a landscape (16:9) video with black bars.
- Wasting the first second on a logo or an empty intro.
- Asking for three different actions in one video.
- Faking platform interface elements (like counts, verification badges).
Frequently asked questions
How long should a TikTok ad be?
+
15–35 seconds is recommended for promos. The message must land in the first 2 seconds and the call to action in the last 3.
What size is a TikTok video?
+
1080×1920 pixels, vertical 9:16. To keep text safe, leave at least 480 px at the bottom and 160 px on the right.
Can I use a popular song in a TikTok ad?
+
Usually not; commercial use of popular songs needs a separate licence. Commercially licensed music or a score made for the video is the safest route.
Can the same video run on TikTok and Reels?
+
Yes, a 9:16 master works on both. Keep text where both platforms' safe zones overlap; the "every vertical platform" placement in MaestroCut does this automatically.
Sources and notes
- MaestroCut platform data set (2026-10): TikTok placement
- Shared safe zone: Reels + TikTok + Shorts + Stories
This page was last reviewed on . Numbers come from the MaestroCut platform and industry data set and are updated as platforms change their limits.
Make your TikTok-ready video
A 9:16 video with safe zones and rhythm set for you, in minutes.