Recommended setups
Using multiple aspect ratios gives you full control over how your ads look across placements. Below are recommended approaches for working with 1:1, 4:5 and 9:16 templates - including when to use each setup and what result to expect.
🟢 BEST PRACTICE: Full control setup
Dedicated templates for every format
Goal:
Get pixel-perfect control over each placement.
Setup:
Apply a dedicated template to all three slots:
1:1
4:5
9:16
Result:
Each placement uses a template designed specifically for its aspect ratio.
No cropping, no zooming and no automatic adaptation by Meta. This gives you the highest visual quality and the most predictable results across placements.
This is the only setup that reliably controls what is shown in 4:5 placements such as IG Reels.
🟢 BEST PRACTICE: Efficient setup: Fewer templates, full coverage
Templates for 4:5, 9:16 & adapting 1:1
Goal
Reduce design workload while still covering all major placements - ideal when you’re rotating many templates and want to avoid hitting catalog limits.
Setup
Apply templates to:
4:5
9:16
Ensure 4:5 is designed according to safe zones.
In the 1:1 slot, enable “Use 4:5 template” (top right corner) — the 4:5 creative will be automatically adapted for 1:1 placements.
In Edit / Create Ad flow:
Select the 4:5 template.
Enable the Zoom option to resize the creative correctly (cuts off safe zone).
Result
Each placement uses a template that matches its aspect ratio.
1:1 placements use a zoomed version of the 4:5 creative, with only safe zones cropped.
This is a solid compromise between quality and effort.
🟠 Not recommended: Template only for 1:1
Goal
Reuse one design across all placements.
Setup
Apply a 1:1 template to the 1:1 slot.
Turn off the 4:5 and 9:16 slots.
Turn off Image Touch Ups / Adapt to placement.
Result
1:1 placements use the 1:1 template. However, for 4:5 placements like Instagram Reels, Meta may serve a natively-sized 4:5 image from your catalog instead, bypassing your template entirely.
⚠️ You don't control what appears in Reels with this setup. If brand consistency across all placements matters, use one of the recommended setups above.
🔴 Not recommended: 1:1 + 9:16
We don’t recommend this setup because it doesn’t cover as many placements effectively as using 4:5 and 9:16 together.
If you can only invest in two formats:
Choose 4:5 (with Zoom for 1:1)
And 9:16 for Stories and Reels
This ensures broader placement coverage and more consistent results.