GDN Banner Size List | Recommended Sizes and Checkpoints for Creating Them

When you try to deliver banner ads on the Google Display Network (GDN), you tend to get stuck on "which sizes should I prepare?" and "what's the difference between responsive and image ads?" That's because there are many size types and the submission specs are detailed. This article organizes the recommended sizes for GDN banners in a list, and clearly explains the checkpoints to keep in mind when creating them.

GDN Banners Have Two Ad Types

Before thinking about sizes, first understand GDN's ad types. GDN banner ads broadly divide into two kinds—"responsive display ads" and "image ads"—and the sizes you need differ.

In today's GDN, responsive display ads are the primary and standard format. Based on the assets you upload—images, headlines, descriptions, and so on—Google automatically generates the optimal combination for each placement. Preparing these first is the basic approach, and you can deliver to many ad slots with few assets.

Recommended Sizes for Responsive Display Ads

For responsive display ads, you prepare images by aspect ratio. The representative recommended sizes and minimum sizes are as follows.

• Landscape (1.91:1): recommended 1200×628 px / minimum 600×314 px

• Square (1:1): recommended 1200×1200 px / minimum 300×300 px

• Portrait (9:16): recommended 900×1600 px / minimum 600×1067 px

• Logo (1:1): recommended 1200×1200 px / minimum 128×128 px

• Logo (4:1, landscape): recommended 1200×300 px / minimum 512×128 px

At minimum, preparing two types—landscape (1200×628) and square (1200×1200 or 300×300)—lets you deliver to many ad slots. Starting from this combination is recommended.

Recommended Sizes for Image Ads (Fixed Sizes)

Image ads are a type where you deliver a banner image of a fixed size as-is. You prepare them when you want to control the design in detail, or when you want to increase delivery volume by using them alongside responsive ads. Among the many sizes, the representative ones with high priority and high delivery volume are the following six.

• 300×250 (rectangle): displayed on both PC and mobile; the standard size with the most delivery volume.

• 336×280 (large rectangle): has the next most slots after 300×250; a size worth preparing alongside it.

• 728×90 (leaderboard): a landscape size displayed at the top of PC pages and elsewhere.

• 160×600 (wide skyscraper): a portrait size displayed in PC side slots.

• 300×600 (half page): a highly visible size that stands out with its large vertical area.

• 320×50 (mobile banner): a mobile-oriented size displayed at the bottom of smartphone screens and elsewhere.

Note that sizes such as 300×250, 320×50, and 160×600 are versatile sizes also usable on Yahoo!'s display ads (formerly YDA). You can submit a single creative to both media, keeping production effort down.

GDN Banner Submission Specs (File Format and Size)

Alongside dimensions, there are also specs for file format and file size. Let's cover the basics.

• File format: JPG, PNG, GIF (animated GIF is also allowed).

• File size: up to 150KB per file.

• Minimum pixel size: images that are too small cannot be registered or delivered, so create them at sizes that meet the requirements.

Submission specs are subject to change. For example, a change may be announced in which the minimum pixel size requirement is raised and images that don't meet the standard can no longer be newly registered or set. Always check the latest specs in the official Google Ads Help before creating.

Checkpoints When Creating Banners

Even if you clear the specs, problems with the content can cause the ad to fail review or fail to perform. Here are the points to keep in mind when creating.

1. Don't Put Too Much Text in Responsive Banners

In responsive display ads, the image may be shrunk depending on the slot where it's displayed. If you cram text into the banner, it becomes unreadable when shrunk. Since responsive ads let you submit headlines and descriptions separately as text, keeping the text within the image to a minimum is the basic approach.

2. Place Important Elements in the Center

Depending on the placement, the edges of the image may be trimmed (cropped). If you place important elements—logos, products, the message you want to convey—near the center rather than toward the edges, they're less likely to be cut off no matter which slot they appear in.

3. Check That You Don't Violate Review Policies

Even if you meet the size and file-size specs, if the ad's content violates Google's ad policies, it will fail review and you can't start delivery. Before submitting, check that it doesn't contain exaggerated expressions, misleading designs that induce clicks, or unsubstantiated superlative claims.

4. Prepare Multiple Sizes and Multiple Variations

Because GDN's slots span a wide range, the more sizes you prepare, the more delivery opportunities you get. Also, by submitting and testing multiple design variations of the same size, you can identify the high-performing banners. Start with the two responsive sizes, and add the main image-ad sizes as you have capacity.

Summary

GDN banners divide into two types—the standard-format "responsive display ads" and the fixed-size "image ads." It is efficient to first prepare landscape 1200×628 and square 1200×1200 (or 300×300) for responsive, and to add the main six image-ad sizes (300×250, 336×280, 728×90, 160×600, 300×600, 320×50) when you want to increase delivery volume.

When creating, keep to the specs for file format (JPG/PNG/GIF) and size (up to 150KB), and mind the points: don't put too much text in responsive banners, place important elements in the center, and check the review policies. Because submission specs are subject to change, we recommend checking the latest information in the official Google Ads Help before creating.