Google Display Ad Sizes: Uploaded Banners vs Responsive Assets
July 31, 2026
Author: Shusaku Yosa
Before producing a GDN banner, decide whether you need a finished uploaded image ad or assets for a responsive display ad. The specifications are different. Applying the 150KB limit to every image can produce an incorrect brief, while mixing image and logo dimensions can cause avoidable upload failures.
Choose uploaded image ads or responsive assets first
An uploaded image ad contains the finished layout, including its text and branding. A responsive display ad uses separate images, logos, headlines, and descriptions that can be assembled for different placements. These are different production jobs, even when both are described informally as banners.
Name the exact format in the creative brief. “GDN” describes the network, not a sufficient specification for every asset. The dimensions and limits below were checked against Google’s documentation on October 12, 2026. Confirm the selected format again before delivery if the interface or requirements change.
Check fixed banner dimensions, file types, and the 150KB limit
Google’s uploaded display ad specifications set a maximum of 150KB for finished GIF, JPG, and PNG image ads. Use a supported width and height. The following are examples from the supported sizes, not a ranking of inventory, delivery volume, or performance. Animated GIFs have additional requirements, so a static-image checklist is insufficient for animation.
Width × height | Shape |
|---|---|
300×250 | Rectangle |
336×280 | Large rectangle |
728×90 | Leaderboard |
160×600 | Wide skyscraper |
300×600 | Large vertical format |
320×50 | Mobile landscape banner |
Choose additional sizes according to campaign needs, production capacity, and observed delivery. Do not assume that a particular dimension always supplies the most impressions.
Prepare responsive images and logos with the correct pixel and file limits
Google’s responsive display ad instructions distinguish image and logo requirements. Images and logos have a maximum file size of 5120KB. This is separate from the 150KB uploaded-image limit. Recommended dimensions provide a production target; minimum dimensions are acceptance checks, not promises of visual quality.
Asset | Ratio | Recommended pixels | Minimum pixels | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Landscape image | 1.91:1 | 1200×628 | 600×314 | 5120KB |
Square image | 1:1 | 1200×1200 | 300×300 | 5120KB |
Square logo | 1:1 | 1200×1200 | 128×128 | 5120KB |
Landscape logo | 4:1 | 1200×300 | 512×128 | 5120KB |
Inspect the exported file itself. Upscaling a small source, excessive logo whitespace, or strong compression can reduce quality despite acceptable pixel dimensions.
Keep specifications from other ad formats separate
Do not transfer a portrait-image specification from another campaign type into this Display checklist. Formats can differ in aspect ratio, file size, required assets, and cropping. The table covers the landscape and square images and logos verified in the cited Display instructions; it does not declare a 9:16 asset universally required or supported.
The same caution applies to reuse on another advertising platform. Matching dimensions do not establish matching file limits or creative policies. Keep an editable master and record each platform’s export settings separately.
Worked creative brief: separate images, logos, and ad copy
Here is a fictional brief for a downloadable business guide. The destination must offer the same guide promised in the creative. Define acceptance checks before production, and keep the components separate.
Deliverable | Instruction | Acceptance check |
|---|---|---|
Finished image A | 300×250 JPG with copy and logo | 150KB or less, readable, correct destination |
Responsive images B | 1200×628 and 1200×1200 | 5120KB or less, useful crops |
Logos C | Separate 1:1 and 4:1 files | Correct minimums, clear branding, whitespace |
Copy D | Independent headlines and descriptions | Supported claims and matching landing content |
Include the format and dimensions in filenames so production and trafficking teams do not confuse the outputs. Passing these checks does not guarantee policy approval or delivery.
Preview cropping, readability, claims, and destinations
Use Google’s responsive display design guidance to review imagery, readability, and composition. Avoid relying on dense text baked into a responsive image. Keep important subjects away from vulnerable edges, then inspect the actual previews. Centering the subject is a useful starting point, not a guarantee against every crop.
- Review small renderings for recognizable products and branding.
- Check several layouts for cropping and excessive whitespace.
- Match price, availability, and offer claims with the destination.
- Read possible image, headline, and description combinations for contradictions.
Separate upload errors from delivery limitations
Separate upload failures from policy review and low delivery. Adding more images does not resolve every problem. An approved ad can still have limited impressions because of budget, targeting, bidding, inventory, or other campaign settings.
Observation | First checks | Record |
|---|---|---|
Upload rejected | Format, pixels, file size, type | Error text, filename, selected format |
Pending or disapproved | Asset and destination policies | Status, reason, timestamp |
Approved but limited delivery | Budget, targeting, bidding, inventory | Period and actual impressions |
Unexpected crop | Preview and subject position | Affected layout and revised asset |
Additional supported sizes may address gaps in eligible inventory, but they do not guarantee more traffic or better outcomes. Resolve specification errors first, then prioritize further production using comparable observations.
Continue with the guide that matches your next task: How to Start Google Ads: Account Setup and Pre-Launch Checks; Google Ads Sitelinks: Text Limits, Setup, and Display Checks; Landing Page Optimization Tools: Compare Capabilities, Costs, and Fit; Page Speed and Core Web Vitals: Measure Experience and Evaluate Improvements.


