This post was most recently updated on March 18th, 2025

Selecting the right banner ad sizes is pivotal for publishers looking to maximize their revenue this year. Among the plethora of options, certain sizes have emerged as the most effective in capturing user attention and driving engagement. This blog post delves into the best banner ad sizes for publishers right now, highlighting formats like the 728×90 leaderboard, 300×250 medium rectangle, and the 320×100 large mobile banner, known for their high visibility and user interaction rates.

To help you maximize your site’s ad revenue, we’ve listed some of the best-performing banner sizes that are a must-have for publishers:

Best Desktop Ad Sizes

Optimized for above-the-fold placement and seamless integration with content.

1. Large Rectangle (336×280)
   • Use Cases: In-content placements, sidebars, and article footers.
   • Why It Works: Balances visibility without disrupting UX. Google AdSense’s most recommended desktop format.
   • CTR: Averages 0.8–1.2% on content-rich sites.
2. Medium Rectangle (300×250)
   • Use Cases: Embedded within articles, forums, or product pages.
   • Why It Works: Fits naturally in responsive layouts. Accounts for 35% of all display ad revenue.
3. Leaderboard (728×90)
   • Use Cases: Header/banner placements.
   • Why It Works: High visibility for branding campaigns. Ideal for sticky headers.
4. Half Page (300×600)
   • Use Cases: Sidebars, interstitial ads.
   • Why It Works: Combines vertical space with engagement. Delivers 2x higher CTR than standard banners.
5. Wide Skyscraper (160×600)
   • Use Cases: Sidebars, long-form content pages.
   • Why It Works: Unobtrusive yet persistent visibility.
6. Billboard (970×250)
   • Use Cases: Homepage takeovers, hero sections.
   • Why It Works: Captures attention with wide horizontal layout.

Best Mobile Ad Sizes

1. Mobile Rectangle (300×250)
   • Use Cases: In-content mobile articles, app feeds.
   • Why It Works: Adapts seamlessly to vertical scroll. Generates 50% of mobile ad revenue.
2. Mobile Leaderboard (320×50)
   • Use Cases: Header/footer banners.
   • Why It Works: Minimalist design for fast-loading pages.
3. Large Mobile Banner (320×100)
   • Use Cases: Video pre-roll, app interstitials.
   • Why It Works: Extra height improves readability on small screens.
4. Square (250×250)
   • Use Cases: Social media feeds, e-commerce grids.
   • Why It Works: Fits grid layouts without distortion.

Banner sizes that bring in the dollars:

300 X 250 Medium Rectangle

The OG medium rectangle (300X250) ad size is among the best performing ad sizes. It’s best to put this above the fold for high CPMs. Adding a medium rectangle banner with a leaderboard ad is extra revenue, so leverage this ad size lucratively.

Besides the medium rectangle, the large rectangle (336X280) is also a popular ad format because this banner ad size is like the medium rectangle ad size, but allows for more content.

728 X 90 Leaderboard

728 X  90 leaderboard ads are easy to implement and are high in demand in the publishers’ marketplace. It also comes in the IAB standard units.

Leaderboards are the first thing to appear on top when a user loads a website, that’s why publishers need to leverage leaderboard ads and place them on the top, bottom, and main content for revenue results.

160 X 600 Wide Skyscraper

These ad sizes became the substitute for content-space eating 120 X 600 conventional skyscrapers and have been popular ever since. Wide Skyscrapers are placed on the side of the page and get improved ad viewability even if the user scrolls down the page.

320 X 50 Mobile Leaderboard

The 320 X 50 Mobile leaderboard ads deliver optimum user experience & monetize mobile websites effectively. Despite being petite mobile banner ads, mobile leaderboard ad sizes are still relevant. They are listed as anchor ads on Google AdSense as they stick at the bottom of the webpage and are in view as the user scrolls.

Deciding Where To Place Your Ads

While you have the freedom to place banners anywhere as long as your site layout allows, note that certain sizes perform better in specific locations and are more visually pleasing to your visitors. For example, leaderboards are often placed at the top of web pages as they are easy to see and compact. Rectangle ad sizes work great inside text content, as they are convenient to display and can catch a user’s attention as they’re going through an article.

Before deciding where to place a unit, consider the site’s layout, content and how it would appear from the perspective of your users. The last thing you’d want is to negatively impact the user experience of your visitors because of badly placed ads on your pages.

Conclusion

When it comes to monetizing your domain, determining what banner sizes to use is one of the most important things to consider. Banner sizes can greatly impact your site’s revenue potential, especially since some banner sizes have higher demand than others.

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FAQ

What are the standard desktop ad sizes?

The standard desktop ad sizes are: 728x90, 300x250, 160x600, and 300x600.

What are the most common mobile ad sizes?

The most common mobile ad sizes are: 320x50 and 300x250.

How do desktop and mobile ad sizes differ?

Desktop and mobile ad sizes differ due to the differences in screen size and aspect ratio. Desktop ads are usually larger and have more space for visual elements, while mobile ads need to be optimized for smaller screens and touch-based navigation.

Can I run the same ad size on both desktop and mobile devices?

It's possible to run the same ad size on both desktop and mobile devices, but it's not recommended as the ad may not display optimally on either platform.

Is it important to use the right ad size for better performance?

Yes, it's crucial to use the right ad size to ensure the ad is displayed properly and its message is conveyed effectively. Using the right size also helps to improve the performance of the ad, as it can lead to higher click-through rates and engagement.