Let me guess.
You just wrapped up a killer edit, you're ready to post, and then you hit that annoying wall: "What are the best Instagram sizes, again?" Or worse—Instagram crops your thumbnail like a bad haircut.
Yeah, I’ve been there.
Instagram sizes can feel like a moving target. And the truth is, if you're not optimizing for the right dimensions, you’re leaving views, shares, and engagement on the table. This isn't just about how your content looks—it's about how your content performs.
So in this guide, I’ll walk you through every Instagram size that matters. From Reels to Stories to carousels, I’ll show you what to use, why it matters, and how creators (like you and me) are using these formats to boost reach, impressions, and audience growth.
Instagram SizesDownload the Instagram size guide template.
What Is the Best Photo Size for Instagram?
Let’s answer the big question first. The recommended size for Instagram depends on the type of post, but the go-to is 1080 pixels wide. The height varies depending on the format—portrait, square, or landscape.
Knowing the correct pixels and aspect ratio is non-negotiable. I learned that the hard way when my beautifully edited Instagram photo got cropped in all the wrong places. Instagram prefers specific resolutions—anything outside of that risks compression or awkward framing.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Portrait: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 aspect ratio)
- Square: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1 aspect ratio)
- Landscape: 1080 x 566 px (1.91:1 aspect ratio)
Stick to these resolutions if you want to avoid pixelation or poor cropping. It’s simple—high-quality input equals high-quality output.
What Is the Image Aspect Ratio?
Let’s define it so we’re all clear: aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between a photo or video’s width and height. It’s expressed like this—4:5, 9:16, 1:1. Simple, right?
On Instagram, nailing your aspect ratios means you can predict precisely how your image will appear, whether it’s being shown in a Story, carousel, or feed post.
This is especially important when using a social media template. Make sure your template is built for the correct aspect ratio, or your content will look off. And we’re not here to look off.
Can I Post a 1920x1080 Photo to Instagram?
Technically, yes—but it’s not optimized.
1920 x 1080 is a 16:9 landscape format, commonly used for YouTube thumbnails as it’s the traditional video size. When you upload to Instagram, landscape posts often get letterboxed or cropped, especially in Stories, Reels, and even feed previews. It simply doesn’t fill the screen the way vertical content does.
If you want a photo that fills the frame on mobile (and performs better), resize it to 1080 x 1350. That’s the Instagram feed portrait size that commands attention. Uploading wider content on Instagram often results in lower visual impact because it doesn’t take advantage of the platform’s vertical layout.
Now here’s where it gets more important: the rise of vertical short-form content has changed how users consume media. Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts—they all follow the same rule. Vertical is the new standard. It’s designed for one-handed, thumb-driven scrolling. Users no longer rotate their phones to watch a video. They want content to meet them where they are—literally, in the palm of their hand.
And this isn’t just about convenience. Platforms like TikTok have proven that vertical video drives more engagement, better watch time, and faster content consumption. Instagram is trying to keep up by favoring similar formats in Reels and even Stories. So when you upload landscape (16:9) content to Instagram, you’re basically swimming upstream against the algorithm.
Is 4:3 or 16:9 Better for Instagram?
This is a super common question—and the answer might surprise you.
Neither. The best aspect ratios for Instagram are 4:5 and 9:16.
Here’s why:
- 4:5 (portrait posts and carousels) takes up more vertical space in the feed.
- 9:16 (Reels and Stories) fills the entire screen.
Both are vertical-first, which aligns with how people use their phones.
From a social media management perspective, this also makes planning content easier. These ratios are consistent across most major social media platforms, from Instagram to TikTok and even LinkedIn.
Using correct social media image sizes isn't just best practice—it’s how you ensure your content looks clean and professional no matter where it's posted. And remember, Instagram has a minimum size for uploads: anything smaller than 320 x 320 may be rejected or appear blurry.
Horizontal formats like 16:9 feel outdated on Instagram unless you're uploading wide content intentionally. The more screen you take up, the more attention you hold. Especially in a scroll-happy world of visual content, occupying screen real estate gives your post a performance edge.
Does the social media template have the dimensions backwards?
You’d be surprised how often this happens.
If you’re using a social media template that lists dimensions like 1920 x 1080 but refers to it as 'portrait,' that’s incorrect. Portraits are vertical images that always have a taller height than width (e.g., 1080 x 1350 or 1080 x 1920).
When in doubt, preview your design in an Instagram mockup tool or export and test. And if you’re using templates built for Facebook or LinkedIn, double-check them—those platforms use different aspect ratios, too.
The best Instagram sizes (quick table)
A cheat sheet never hurts. Here’s a size guide you can use for both Instagram videos and pictures.
| Content Type |
Size (px) |
Aspect Ratio |
Notes |
| Reels |
1080 x 1920 |
09:16 |
Fullscreen, vertical |
| Stories |
1080 x 1920 |
09:16 |
Same as Reels |
| Feed (Portrait) |
1080 x 1350 |
4:5 |
Ideal for engagement |
| Feed (Square) |
1080 x 1080 |
1:1 |
Classic layout |
| Feed (Landscape) |
1080 x 566 |
1.91:1 |
Avoid unless needed |
| Carousels |
1080 x 1350 |
4:5 |
Works best for swipe-throughs |
| Thumbnails |
1080 x 1080 |
1:1 |
Key for Reels previews |
This chart has saved me from hours of resizing disasters.
Instagram Reels sizes (and why it’s the best format)
Reels are king—and they’re sticking around.
The correct Instagram Reels size and aspect ratio is:
- 1080 x 1920 pixels
- 9:16 aspect ratio
This full-screen vertical format makes your content immersive and algorithm-friendly. Reels that fill the screen are more likely to get a boost from the algorithm—and more importantly, keep your audience engaged.
Want to keep your grid looking clean, too? Don’t forget the cover image.
Instagram allows you to upload a custom thumbnail for each Reel, and if you're concerned about how your profile grid looks (and you should be), this is where consistency matters. For a seamless aesthetic, use a 1080 x 1350 pixel cover—the same size as portrait image posts in your feed.
Pro tip: Start with a social media template built specifically for Reels and Reel covers. It will save you from endless resizing, layout issues, and awkward cropping. (We’ll be uploading templates you can download and use straight away.)
And if you’re adding subtitles? Pair it with a video subtitle generator like Submagic to make your Reels more accessible, clear, and scroll-stopping.
Instagram Stories sizes: What are the dimensions?
Stories share the same specs as Reels:
1080 x 1920 pixels, 9:16 aspect ratio.
So what’s the difference? It’s how people interact with them.
Stories are tap-heavy—users fly through them at lightning speed. That means your content needs to grab attention within the first second. Use bold text, eye contact, and direct CTAs. If your visuals aren’t sharp and fast, your message gets skipped.
If you're wondering, "What is the ideal size for Instagram Stories?" — this is it: full-vertical, edge-to-edge.
But here’s something extra most guides skip:
Stories feed directly into your Instagram Highlight covers.
That means anything you publish to Stories can become part of a curated highlight reel on your profile—complete with a custom cover image.
Want a clean, polished grid?
Upload a custom Instagram Highlight cover using this exact dimension:
1080 x 1920 (same as your Story). Instagram crops the cover preview to a circle, but starting with the right dimensions ensures your design stays centered and crisp.
Pro tip:
If you’ve designed your cover in Canva or another tool, just send it to your phone. Then inside the Instagram app, go to your profile → tap "New" under Highlights → pick an archived story → tap Edit Cover → then upload your image from your photo library. You can zoom, crop, and reposition it right there.
You can’t rearrange Highlights manually—Instagram pushes the most recently updated ones to the front—so be strategic with how you post and update them.
How do I resize Instagram photos without losing quality?
Here’s the trick: don’t resize in your phone’s gallery.
Instead, use tools like Submagic, Canva, or any software that uses preset pixel dimensions. That way, your content stays crisp. No blur, no downgrade.
When you ask, “How do I resize my photos to fit Instagram's size requirements?” the answer is: use automation. Submagic handles it in seconds—crop, scale, and render optimized for Instagram.
Instagram Feed post sizes: What’s the best format?
We’ve got options here:
- Portrait (4:5): 1080 x 1350 px — Best for reach
- Square (1:1): 1080 x 1080 px — Reliable and balanced
- Landscape (1.91:1): 1080 x 566 px — Cinematic but less visible
If you’re asking, “What is the best image size for Instagram feed posts?” — go with 1080 x 1350. That extra height grabs more attention as users scroll.
Whatever format you use, make sure your visuals are aligned with the right pixels and aspect ratio to prevent auto-cropping.
Instagram Carousel size and strategy
What size is the Instagram carousel? Same as your portrait posts:
- 1080 x 1350 pixels
- 4:5 aspect ratio
Carousels are engagement magnets. I’ve seen them double my saves and shares when I use storytelling, swipe tutorials, or multi-part quotes.
Pro tip: Make the first slide pop like a YouTube thumbnail. Hook, contrast, curiosity.
And if you’re doing client work? A good carousel with consistent size and visuals can turn a single post into a campaign.
How to quickly adapt photos to Instagram image sizes
Manual resizing? Skip it.
Use tools with built-in social media templates. They give you the right pixels and aspect ratio instantly—no guessing, no stretching.
Submagic is my favorite because I can edit a video and export it for Reels, carousels, or Stories in seconds. I’ve saved hundreds of hours this way.
When designing, don’t forget your cover image. It’s the first thing people see in your grid, so make it count.
For file formats:
- Use JPG for crisp photos with small file sizes
- Use PNG for graphics or overlays with sharper detail
Submagic handles all of this for you. No Photoshop needed.
How do I resize my video for Instagram Stories?
It’s a 9:16 world—get used to it.
To resize videos for Stories, start with 1080 x 1920. You can set that manually in Premiere or Final Cut, or use Submagic to automate it. Either way, stick to Instagram’s vertical-first format.
This isn’t just about specs—it’s smart social media marketing. Resizing correctly means your content fits the format your audience expects on today’s leading social networks like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
Submagic also protects your pixels. Many free apps compress videos, which can compromise their visual quality. Not ideal if you want to maintain a professional appearance, especially when sharing content beyond Instagram across multiple platforms or repurposing square photos into vertical formats.
Thumbnail strategy: Click-worthy visuals
Want more clicks on your Reels? Nail your thumbnail.
Use a 1:1 aspect ratio, 1080 x 1080 pixels. Upload a custom one every time.
Add bold text, punchy colors, and something that sparks curiosity. Think of it as your billboard on the feed.
Instagram Profile Picture and Grid Strategy
Your profile is your first impression—don’t waste it.
For your Instagram profile photo, use a square image with a minimum size of 320 x 320 pixels. But for the sharpest result, upload at 1080 x 1080. This ensures it looks clean on both desktop and mobile.
Also, think about how your profile grid appears to visitors. Use consistent colors, themes, and sizes. Many creators alternate between square posts and portrait formats to create visual variety while staying on-brand.
Want that polished, pro look? Design with your profile photo size in mind and plan ahead using a visual layout tool like Planoly or Preview.
Optimizing Instagram Ad sizes for performance
Instagram ads are a whole different beast—they show up in feeds, Stories, Explore, and even Reels. And if you’re spending money to get views, you better get the ad sizes right.
Here are the top-performing dimensions:
- Feed Ads: 1080 x 1350 (4:5) — more screen space = more attention
- Stories & Reels Ads: 1080 x 1920 (9:16) — fullscreen vertical is essential
- Carousel Ads: 1080 x 1080 or 1080 x 1350 depending on visual layout
Pro tip: Don’t just resize your content—design with the platform in mind. Instagram crops and compresses, so leave safe zones around text and CTAs. And test, test, test. Sometimes switching from square to vertical boosts click-through rate by 30%.
If you’re serious about Instagram ads, get serious about your ad sizes. It’s a tiny change that can lead to huge ROI.
Bottom line: Go vertical to go viral
When in doubt, prioritize vertical formats. It’s how most users consume content, and it aligns with the best-performing Instagram post sizes.
Whether you're working with carousel posts, square images, or optimizing your Instagram profile picture, using the right image dimensions is key to standing out and maintaining consistency across your content.
Here’s the rule I live by:
- Reels & Stories: 1080 x 1920 (9:16)
- Feed photos: 1080 x 1350 (4:5)
- Carousels: 1080 x 1350 (4:5)
- Thumbnails: 1080 x 1080 (1:1)
- Avoid wide landscapes unless it’s intentional
Once you know the pixels, aspect ratios, and work inside a smart social media template, everything becomes easier.
Want to save more time? Use Submagic. From resizing to adding captions with its auto subtitle generator, it’s my workflow’s secret weapon.
