Facebook Reels are currently the fastest-growing content format on Meta’s flagship platform. If you think Reels are just for Instagram, you are missing out on millions of potential views from an entirely different audience.
While the dimensions are identical to Instagram, the user behavior and interface on Facebook are slightly different. Optimizing your video specifically for the Facebook Feed can give you a significant algorithmic boost.
The Official Specs
- Dimensions: 1080 pixels (width) by 1920 pixels (height).
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16.
- Duration: Up to 90 seconds.
- File Size: No strict limit, but under 4GB is recommended.
Facebook vs. Instagram Reels: What’s the Difference?
Technically, the file is the same. However, the Display Context is different.
On Instagram, Reels are often viewed in a dedicated tab. On Facebook, Reels frequently appear in the middle of the News Feed as a suggested strip. This means your thumbnail and the first 3 seconds of visual movement are even more critical to stop the user from scrolling past family photos and news updates.
The “Safe Zone” Rule
Facebook’s overlay includes the creator’s name and description at the bottom left, and engagement buttons (Like, Comment, Share) on the bottom right.
Critical Tip: Leave the bottom 35% of the screen free of essential text. Facebook’s UI gradient is often darker and taller than Instagram’s, which can obscure subtitles placed too low.
Why 1080×1920?
Facebook still supports square (1:1) and vertical (4:5) videos in the feed, but Reels must be 9:16 to qualify for the dedicated Reels monetization and discovery engine. If you upload a square video as a Reel, it will look unpolished and may be ineligible for recommendation.