> Quick answer: Facebook carousel ads show 2 to 10 swipeable cards in one ad unit. Each card has its own image, headline, and destination link. Use 1080x1080px images, keep primary text under 125 characters, and aim for 3 to 5 cards. Or use Coinis Image Ads to generate all cards from a product URL in seconds.
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What is a Facebook Carousel Ad?
Carousel ads let you pack multiple images or videos into one ad unit. Viewers swipe through each card on mobile.
Format overview: 2-10 cards, each with own image/video, headline, link
Each card carries its own image or video, headline, description, and destination URL. Per the Meta Business Help Center, you can run 2 to 10 cards per carousel.
Best for: Product catalogs, storytelling, feature highlights, before/after
Carousels work well for showcasing a product line, walking users through a process, or spotlighting different features of one product.
Key advantage: Multi-product or multi-angle storytelling in one ad unit
One ad. Many messages. Every card can point to a different landing page.
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Image and Design Specifications
Get specs wrong and Meta will crop your cards or reject the upload.
Recommended dimensions: 1080x1080px (square 1:1), alternatives 1200x628px or 1080x1350px
The standard spec is 1080x1080px at a 1:1 ratio. Landscape (1200x628px) and vertical mobile (1080x1350px) are also supported.
File format: JPG or PNG (max 30MB per image)
Use PNG for cards with text overlays. Maximum file size is 30MB per image.
Aspect ratio must match across all cards (3% tolerance)
Per Meta's Ads Guide, all carousel cards must share the same aspect ratio. A 3% tolerance exists, but exceeding it triggers automatic cropping.
Video options: MP4, MOV, GIF (max 4GB, 1 sec to 240 min)
Video carousels accept MP4, MOV, and GIF formats. File size caps at 4GB per video. Duration runs from 1 second to 240 minutes.
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Text and Copy Limits
Every character counts. Know the limits before you write.
Primary text: 125 characters (appears above cards)
This text sits above the card strip. Keep it punchy. 125 characters is your ceiling.
Headline per card: 40 characters (appears below image)
Each card gets its own headline below the image. 40 characters. Make every word work.
Description per card: 30 characters (optional)
A short description can sit beneath each headline. 30 characters max. Useful for price or a key detail.
CTA: Single button applies to entire carousel
One call-to-action button covers the whole ad. "Shop Now" or "Learn More" are common picks. Choose carefully.
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Step-by-Step: Create Your Carousel Ad in Ads Manager
Follow these six steps in Meta Ads Manager to go from blank campaign to live carousel.
Step 1: Select carousel format and upload 2-10 images
Open Ads Manager, choose your campaign objective, and select Carousel at the ad level. Upload your images or videos.
Step 2: Add individual headlines, links, and descriptions per card
Fill in the headline, description, and destination URL for each card. Each card can point to a different page.
Step 3: Write primary text and select call-to-action
Write the primary text that appears above all cards. Pick one CTA button for the entire unit.
Step 4: Choose placement (Facebook, Instagram, cross-platform)
Select your placements. Carousel runs on Facebook Feed, Instagram Feed, and Audience Network. Check the preview for each.
Step 5: Set audience, budget, and schedule
Define your audience, daily or lifetime budget, and campaign dates at the ad set level.
Step 6: Review mobile preview and launch
Open the mobile preview. About 1.75 cards are visible on first load. Your first card must stop the scroll. Then publish.
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Best Practices for High-Performing Carousel Ads
Small creative decisions drive big differences in performance.
Optimal card count: 3-5 cards typically outperform 7+
Three to five cards is the sweet spot. Engagement drops with seven or more cards in the rotation.
Visual consistency: Same aspect ratio, brand colors, font throughout
Consistent visuals build trust. Mixed ratios or clashing colors hurt the ad's flow.
Card flow: Strongest opener, logical story progression, clear CTA on final card
Lead with your best card. Build toward a logical conclusion. End with a clear ask.
Mobile-first: 1.75 cards visible initially; optimize for thumb scroll
Mobile users see fewer than two cards on first view. Your opener has to earn the swipe.
Avoid 20% text rule: Keep on-image text under 20% of image area
Meta's ad policies flag heavy text on images. Use the headline and description fields for copy instead.
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How Coinis Accelerates Carousel Ad Creation
Manual carousel setup takes time. Coinis cuts that time down significantly.
Image Ads workflow: Generate all carousel cards in seconds from product URL or brief
Paste a product URL. Coinis Image Ads generates multiple ad creatives built for carousel format. No blank canvas required.
Brand Profile: AI learns your voice and style, applies it across all cards
Brand Profile captures your tone, colors, and messaging. Every card stays on-brand without manual effort.
Consistent design: No manual alignment or font issues, AI ensures cohesion
Cutting-edge AI models handle visual consistency across cards. No mismatched elements or off-brand fonts.
Ready to launch: Publish to Facebook/Instagram directly with Campaign Launcher
Once your cards are ready, Campaign Launcher sends the ad to Facebook or Instagram directly. No exporting. No re-uploading.
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Or let Coinis do it.
From a product URL to a live Meta campaign. AI-generated creatives. On-brand copy. Direct publish to Facebook and Instagram. Real performance reporting. All in one platform.
Start free. Upgrade when you're ready.
15 AI tokens a month. No credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards can a Facebook carousel ad have?
A Facebook carousel ad supports a minimum of 2 cards and a maximum of 10 cards per ad unit.
What image size should I use for Facebook carousel ads?
The recommended size is 1080x1080px (1:1 square). You can also use 1200x628px (landscape) or 1080x1350px (vertical). All cards must share the same aspect ratio, with a 3% tolerance.
How many characters can I use in a carousel ad headline?
Each card headline has a 40-character limit. The primary text above all cards is capped at 125 characters.
How many cards should I use for the best performance?
Research shows 3 to 5 cards typically outperform carousels with 7 or more cards. Engagement tends to drop as card count rises.