Recommended Instagram Photo Sizes by Format
Use these dimension templates as your baseline. Square posts work in nearly all contexts, while portrait and landscape suit different placements. For best sharpness, match native aspect ratios and export at the target size without upscaling.
| Format | Pixel Dimensions (1:1) | Aspect Ratio | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed Square | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 | Profile grid posts |
| Feed Portrait | 1080 × 1350 | 4:5 | Single image posts |
| Feed Landscape | 1200 × 628 | 1.91:1 | Shared or external links preview |
| Stories & Ads | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 | Full-screen vertical |
| Carousel Slides | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 | Multi-slide carousels |
| Reels Thumbnail | 1280 × 720 (min) | 16:9 | Video previews |
Feed Square, Portrait, and Landscape
For static feed images, 1080 × 1080 pixels (1:1) is the safest default. It displays sharply on retina screens and remains centered in the grid. If you prefer a taller composition, 1080 × 1350 (4:5) fits well within the feed without cropped edges. For landscape shared or external-link previews, 1200 × 628 maintains clarity in link cards and timelines. Export at 72 PPI; Instagram compresses on upload, so starting with exact target dimensions reduces quality loss.
Stories, Reels, and Full-Screen Ads
Instagram Stories, Explore ads, and Reels cover the full mobile screen. The ideal size is 1080 × 1920 pixels at 9:16. Keep critical text and subjects within the central 90% to avoid being obscured by UI elements. For Reels, export video at 1080 × 1920 with a high bitrate and H.264 encoding for stability on varying connections.
Recommended Video Specs for Reels and Video Posts
Short-form video performs strongly in today’s feed. Matching technical specs reduces processing issues and preserves clarity. Frame rate, bitrate, and container choices affect playback on low-bandwidth networks.
| Video Type | Resolution | Frame Rate | Suggested Bitrate (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reels | 1080 × 1920 | 30 fps | 8–12 |
| IGTV (Long Form) | 1080 × 1920 | 30 fps | 10–14 |
| Landscape Feed Video | 1280 × 720 | 30 fps | 6–8 |
File Format, Compression, and Export Settings
Choose formats that balance quality and file size. JPEG is ideal for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency, and H.264 for video. Avoid repeated recompression by exporting once at full quality before uploading. Maintain a local master file at or above the target dimensions, and use a lightweight export preset for web. For carousels, design each slide with consistent margins so cropped thumbnails remain legible.
- Photos: JPEG at 85–92% quality
- Graphics/text: PNG-24 if clarity is critical
- Videos: H.264, AAC audio, 8–12 Mbps for 1080p
- File size limit: 30 MB for photos, reasonable bitrate caps for video
Device, Retina, and Accessibility Considerations
Most users view Instagram on Retina and high-DPI screens. Supplying images at or above the target dimensions ensures crisp rendering. Add concise alt text to improve accessibility and context in feeds. Maintain safe zones for key visuals, and test posts on mobile data and Wi-Fi to confirm quick loading. When in doubt, slightly larger files are downscaled gracefully, while upscaling smaller files often introduces softness.
Quick Checklist Before You Upload
- Confirm aspect ratio matches the intended placement (1:1, 4:5, 9:16, 16:9)
- Export at the target pixel dimensions with minimal compression
- Use sRGB color profile for consistent on-device rendering
- Verify legibility of text within central 90% for Stories and Reels
- Run a mobile data check to ensure reasonable load times