YouTube bumper ad specs
YouTube bumper ads are non-skippable and last 6 seconds, with Google's table giving 5 seconds as the minimum. They follow the general YouTube video ad requirements: 1080p recommended, 720p minimum HD, and 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1 among accepted ratios. Bumpers suit reach and recall, not explanation.
Updated
The spec sheet
| Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Length | 6 seconds (5 seconds minimum) |
| Skip | Not skippable |
| Resolution | 1080p recommended; 720p minimum HD |
| Aspect ratios | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1; also 4:3, 2:3, 4:5 |
Writing for six seconds
- Pick one idea. A bumper cannot carry a feature list, a story and an offer.
- Show the product or the brand in the first second, not the last.
- Write the line so it still makes sense muted: on-screen text plus a strong image.
- Cut it from a longer ad only if the longer ad's single best moment works alone. Usually it is better written from scratch.
Where bumpers fit
Bumpers are a frequency tool. They work best alongside a longer ad that has already explained the product, reminding the same audience cheaply. On their own they can build recognition of a name or a look, but they rarely persuade someone who has never heard of you.
Questions
- How long is a YouTube bumper ad?
- 6 seconds, with a 5-second minimum, according to Google Ads Help.
- Can viewers skip bumper ads?
- No. Bumper ads are non-skippable.
Sources
Read on 13 October 2026. Platforms change specs and policies without notice; check the source before you build to a number.