Make a 160×600 wide skyscraper ad
A tall, narrow column that runs down the side of a page. It stays on screen while the reader scrolls, which gives it good viewability, but the width is brutal.
The specification
| Dimensions | 160 × 600 pixels |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 0.27:1 |
| Common name | Wide Skyscraper |
| Category | Display advertising |
| Where it runs | Sidebars, alongside article content on desktop. It often remains visible far longer than a leaderboard at the top of the page. |
| Export formats | HTML5 banner package for ad servers, animated GIF for display networks, or static PNG and JPG. |
Designing for this shape
Two or three words per line
At 160 pixels wide there is no room for more. Write the headline as a stack of short lines and check every line individually.
Watch your longest word
A single long word can force the type down a size or break the layout. Test with your actual product name, not placeholder text.
Anchor top and bottom
Logo at the top, call to action at the bottom, message in the middle. The height gives you a natural three-part structure.
Frames and timing
Three frames works well, and the tall shape gives each one room to breathe. Because the unit stays on screen while the reader scrolls, a slightly slower rhythm reads better here than in a header banner.
File weight
The Google Display Network sets a maximum of 150 KB per creative, applied to both image and HTML5 units. Many networks also cap animation length, commonly at 30 seconds, and require the loop to stop after a small number of repeats.
Every network and placement enforces its own specification, and those change. Confirm the current maximum file size, animation length and format support for the platform you are running on before you publish.
Sizes that pair with it
A campaign is rarely one size. These are the units most often bought alongside 160×600, and one design can be fitted across the whole set with shared margins and synced headlines.
See the full banner size guide for every standard dimension, or read about how frame animation works and GIF weight limits.
Questions
What is the difference between 160x600 and 120x600?
Both are skyscrapers. 160x600 is the wide skyscraper and is far more common. 120x600 is older, narrower and harder to design for.
Is 160x600 worth building?
Yes, if you are running desktop display. It pairs naturally with 300x250 and often stays in view much longer than a header unit.
How do I stop text breaking badly at 160 pixels wide?
Write in short lines, test with your longest real word, and keep the headline to three lines or fewer.
Open the editor to build a 160×600 ad now, or return to the home page.