Performance Max Ad Specs 2026: Image, Video and Text Sizes
Hawky put every current Performance Max asset requirement on one page: image dimensions, video specs, and text character limits, all as selectable values you can copy into your design and copy tools. These Google Performance Max specs are verified against Google's official Performance Max campaigns specs and format requirements. Start with the master dimensions table, then jump to the section for the asset type you are building.
| Asset type | Aspect ratio | Recommended size | Minimum size | Max file size | Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape image | 1.91:1 | 1200 x 628 px | 600 x 314 px | 5 MB | Yes |
| Square image | 1:1 | 1200 x 1200 px | 300 x 300 px | 5 MB | Yes |
| Portrait image | 4:5 | 960 x 1200 px | 480 x 600 px | 5 MB | No |
| Square logo | 1:1 | 1200 x 1200 px | 128 x 128 px | 5 MB | Yes |
| Landscape logo | 4:1 | 1200 x 300 px | 512 x 128 px | 5 MB | No |
Images accept JPG or PNG. Each asset group holds up to 20 images shared across the three ratios and up to 5 logos. The sections below break down image sizes, video specs, text character limits, and logo requirements individually.
Google Performance Max ad specs overview
Performance Max runs a single campaign across Search, Display, YouTube, Gmail, Discover, and Maps. The system assembles your uploaded text, images, videos, and logos into ad combinations for each placement. Because Google controls the final layout, meeting the exact PMax ad specs is what keeps your ads eligible for every channel.
An asset group is the unit that holds these assets. One asset group needs the required headlines, long headlines, descriptions, images, logos, business name, and a final URL before it can serve. The full set of Performance Max asset requirements, with counts and character limits, appears in the tables throughout this page.
Google splits every spec into three buckets: image assets, video assets, and text assets, plus logos as a distinct image type. The values that follow are the current required and recommended numbers from Google's Performance Max specs and format requirements documentation.
PMax image sizes and dimensions
Performance Max uses three image aspect ratios. Landscape at 1.91:1 and square at 1:1 are both required, and portrait at 4:5 is optional but unlocks mobile-first inventory on Discover and YouTube. In design tools these are usually written 1200x628, 1200x1200, and 960x1200. Upload all three ratios so your ads stay eligible across every placement.
| Image ratio | Aspect ratio | Recommended size | Minimum size | Max file size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape | 1.91:1 | 1200 x 628 px | 600 x 314 px | 5 MB |
| Square | 1:1 | 1200 x 1200 px | 300 x 300 px | 5 MB |
| Portrait | 4:5 | 960 x 1200 px | 480 x 600 px | 5 MB |
Images must be JPG or PNG. Each asset group accepts up to 20 images total, and Google recommends at least four landscape, four square, and two portrait images to reach a strong ad strength rating. The 5 MB file size cap applies to every image regardless of ratio.
Google crops images differently for each placement, so keep the subject inside the center of the frame. Avoid heavy text overlays, because Google adds its own headline and description layers on Display placements. Provide at least one image per aspect ratio with no text overlay so the system has clean inventory to work with.
PMax asset requirements at a glance
The PMax asset requirements for a servable asset group are one landscape image and one square image at minimum. Meeting only that minimum caps your placement eligibility, so the recommended asset sizes and counts matter more than the floor. Portrait images are the most common gap, and skipping them removes access to mobile-first Discover and Shorts inventory.
Hawky's Creative Agent renders finished, on-brand creatives with these PMax specs baked in, produces each ratio at the recommended dimensions, and binds every batch to a specific Google or Meta ad set for seat-level approval. That removes the manual resizing step that usually breaks asset requirements. Teams building a full asset group from one concept can generate every ratio at once through AI creative generation.
Performance Max video specs
Video is optional in Performance Max, but leaving it out means Google auto-generates slideshow videos from your images to fill YouTube inventory. Custom video in all three orientations gives you control over what runs on one of PMax's highest-volume channels. Each asset group accepts up to 15 videos.
| Video format | Aspect ratio | Minimum duration | Count per asset group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizontal | 16:9 | 10 seconds | Up to 15 |
| Square | 1:1 | 10 seconds | Up to 15 |
| Vertical | 9:16 | 10 seconds | Up to 15 |
Videos must be at least 10 seconds long. MP4 is the recommended upload format, and Google also accepts MOV, AVI, WMV, MPEG, WebM, and several professional codecs. Videos are hosted on YouTube, so a linked or uploaded YouTube video is what powers the video asset.
Build at least one video per aspect ratio. Google can scale a horizontal video into square or vertical crops, but purpose-built vertical video performs better on Shorts, where cropped horizontal clips often cut off critical content. Front-load the visual hook in the first few seconds and add captions, since many placements auto-play without sound.
PMax text requirements: headline and description character limits
Text assets are the copy Google mixes across placements. The character limits below are fixed, and each asset group must clear the required minimums before it serves. Filling every slot with distinct angles gives the system more combinations to test.
| Text asset | Count (min to max) | Character limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline | 3 to 15 | 30 characters | Include at least one headline 15 characters or fewer |
| Long headline | 1 to 5 | 90 characters | Used on larger Display and YouTube placements |
| Description | 2 to 5 | 90 characters | Include at least one short description 60 characters or fewer |
| Business name | 1 | 25 characters | Appears across all placements |
| Call to action | 1 | Preset options | Choose one or let Google auto-select |
| Display path | Up to 2 | 15 characters each | Optional URL path fields |
The headline character limit is 30 characters, and the description character limit is 90 characters. Google recommends 11 or more headlines, 2 or more long headlines, and 4 or more descriptions to lift ad strength, even though the required minimums are lower. Cover different angles across your headlines: brand, benefit, offer, urgency, and social proof, rather than 15 versions of the same line.
The short description requirement matters for compact placements. At least one of your descriptions should be 60 characters or fewer so it fits placements with limited space. Pull proven copy from your Responsive Search Ads when a headline already has click-through data behind it.
PMax logo specs and requirements
Logos are a distinct image asset type with their own dimensions. Google requires a square logo and treats the landscape logo as optional but recommended. Uploading both prevents Google from cropping or distorting a single logo to fit placements that expect the other shape.
| Logo type | Aspect ratio | Recommended size | Minimum size | Max file size | Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square logo | 1:1 | 1200 x 1200 px | 128 x 128 px | 5 MB | Yes |
| Landscape logo | 4:1 | 1200 x 300 px | 512 x 128 px | 5 MB | No |
Each asset group accepts up to 5 logos. Logos must be JPG or PNG and stay under the 5 MB file size cap. Transparent PNG logos give the cleanest result because Google places them over varied backgrounds.
Set your official business name and logos at the campaign level using brand guidelines. If you skip that step, Google defaults to the name and logo from whichever asset group performs best, which may not be the presentation you want across auto-assembled ads.
Performance Max assets: asset group composition and sizes checklist
An asset group is a themed collection of text, images, videos, logos, audience signals, and a landing page. Google combines assets within a group, so everything in one group must stay thematically consistent. Fill every slot to reach the Performance Max assets, sizes, and counts that support a strong ad strength rating.
- 11 to 15 headlines at 30 characters, covering distinct angles
- 3 to 5 long headlines at 90 characters
- 4 to 5 descriptions at 90 characters, one of them 60 characters or fewer
- 4 or more landscape (1200 x 628), 4 or more square (1200 x 1200), 2 or more portrait (960 x 1200) images
- 3 to 5 videos across 16:9, 1:1, and 9:16
- Square logo (1200 x 1200) and landscape logo (1200 x 300)
- Business name at 25 characters or fewer
- Audience signals and a dedicated landing page URL
Ad strength runs from Poor to Excellent based on asset completeness, variety, and quality. An Excellent rating does not guarantee performance, but it does maximize placement eligibility across Google's channels. A Poor rating restricts where your ads can appear.
When to split asset groups
Consolidate until you have enough conversion volume to split. A single asset group with strong creative variety outperforms three thin groups that each collect a handful of conversions. A rough threshold is 30 conversions per month per asset group before splitting makes sense.
Split asset groups when you have distinct product categories, audience segments, or landing pages that need different messaging. A running shoe brand might separate trail running from road running, each with dedicated images, copy, and a landing page. For more on structuring tests inside PMax, see creative testing in Advantage Plus and Performance Max.
Creative refresh cadence
Uploading assets is the start, not the finish. Performance Max needs ongoing creative management as audiences shift and fatigue sets in. Google rates each asset Best, Good, Low, or Learning, and these ratings are relative within the group rather than absolute quality measures.
Replace assets rated Low every 2 to 3 weeks. Refresh static image and text assets every 4 to 6 weeks with new themes or seasonal offers, and refresh video every 6 to 8 weeks or when view-through rates drop. Swap 2 to 3 assets at a time rather than overhauling everything at once, which forces a relearning phase and a temporary performance dip. Judge each refresh on ROAS and conversion rate over the following two weeks rather than on the asset ratings alone.
Common Performance Max asset mistakes
Relying on auto-generated video. Google builds slideshow videos from your images when you skip custom video, and these consistently underperform real video. Even a basic 10 to 15 second branded clip in each orientation is an upgrade.
Uploading only the minimum assets. Meeting the floor of 3 headlines, 1 long headline, and 2 descriptions caps placement eligibility and limits the combinations Google can test. Fill every slot and provide all three image ratios.
Ignoring portrait images. Portrait 4:5 images are optional in Google's specs but critical for mobile-first placements. Skipping them makes your campaign invisible on some of the highest-growth inventory. For benchmark context on what strong PMax performance looks like, see the Google Ads benchmarks.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Performance Max image sizes?
Performance Max uses three image sizes. Landscape at 1.91:1 is 1200 x 628 pixels (minimum 600 x 314), square at 1:1 is 1200 x 1200 pixels (minimum 300 x 300), and portrait at 4:5 is 960 x 1200 pixels (minimum 480 x 600). All images must be JPG or PNG under 5 MB, and you can upload up to 20 per asset group.
What are the PMax image dimensions and aspect ratios?
The three PMax image aspect ratios are 1.91:1 landscape, 1:1 square, and 4:5 portrait. Recommended dimensions are 1200 x 628, 1200 x 1200, and 960 x 1200 pixels respectively. Landscape and square are required, and portrait is optional but recommended for mobile placements.
What is the PMax headline character limit?
The Performance Max headline character limit is 30 characters. You can add 3 to 15 headlines, and Google recommends at least one headline of 15 characters or fewer for compact placements. Google recommends providing 11 or more headlines for a strong ad strength rating.
What is the PMax description character limit?
The Performance Max description character limit is 90 characters. You can add 2 to 5 descriptions, and at least one should be a short description of 60 characters or fewer. Google recommends 4 or more descriptions to improve ad strength.
What are the PMax text requirements?
Performance Max requires headlines (3 to 15, max 30 characters), long headlines (1 to 5, max 90 characters), descriptions (2 to 5, max 90 characters), and a business name of 25 characters or fewer. It also requires one call to action and one final URL. At minimum an asset group needs 3 headlines, 1 long headline, and 2 descriptions.
What are the PMax video specs?
Performance Max video assets come in three aspect ratios: horizontal 16:9, square 1:1, and vertical 9:16. Each video must be at least 10 seconds long, MP4 is the recommended format, and you can add up to 15 videos per asset group. Video is optional, but skipping it means Google auto-generates slideshow videos from your images.
What are the PMax logo specs and requirements?
Performance Max requires a square logo at 1:1 (recommended 1200 x 1200 pixels, minimum 128 x 128) and accepts an optional landscape logo at 4:1 (recommended 1200 x 300 pixels, minimum 512 x 128). Logos must be JPG or PNG under 5 MB, and each asset group accepts up to 5 logos.
How many assets do I need for Performance Max?
The minimum for a servable asset group is 3 headlines, 1 long headline, 2 descriptions, 1 landscape image, 1 square image, and 1 square logo. For a strong ad strength rating, aim for 11 to 15 headlines, 3 to 5 long headlines, 4 to 5 descriptions, images in all three ratios, 3 to 5 videos, and both logo shapes.
Where do Performance Max ads show?
Performance Max ads run across every Google inventory in one campaign: Search, Display, YouTube, Gmail, Discover, and Maps. Google assembles your uploaded assets into the format each placement needs, which is why you supply images, video, and text in every required size rather than building per-channel ads. You can see where your ads actually served in the placement report under the campaign's insights, though Performance Max does not let you hand-pick individual placements the way a standalone Display or YouTube campaign does.
Building PMax assets at the right specs every time is exactly the manual work that eats a media team's week. Hawky's Creative Agent is built for that job.
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