Instagram image and video sizes in 2026
Updated October 6, 2026. Figures from the official sources listed below.
Use 1080 pixels wide for everything on Instagram. Feed posts work best at 1080 x 1350 (4:5) or 1080 x 1440 (3:4), square posts at 1080 x 1080, and Reels and Stories at 1080 x 1920 (9:16). Keep text away from the edges of Reels and Stories, where buttons cover it.
What size should an Instagram post be?
Instagram displays photos at a width of 1080 pixels and accepts aspect ratios between 1.91:1 (wide) and 4:5 (tall) in the feed. In early 2025 Instagram also changed the profile grid to show taller 3:4 previews and started accepting 3:4 uploads, which is why many creators now post at 1080 x 1440.
| Format | Aspect ratio | Recommended size |
|---|---|---|
| Square post | 1:1 | 1080 x 1080 px |
| Portrait post | 4:5 | 1080 x 1350 px |
| Tall portrait post (grid friendly) | 3:4 | 1080 x 1440 px |
| Landscape post | 1.91:1 | 1080 x 566 px |
| Reels | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 px |
| Stories | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920 px |
| Profile photo | 1:1 (shown as a circle) | at least 320 x 320 px |
What size are Instagram Reels and Stories?
Both are full screen vertical, 9:16, best uploaded at 1080 x 1920. The top and bottom of the screen are covered by the account name, caption and buttons, so keep faces and text inside the middle area. A Reel also shows as a cropped preview on your profile grid; check the cover crop before posting.
How do carousels work?
A carousel can hold up to 20 photos or videos. All slides take the aspect ratio of the first one, so decide the format before you start designing, and use the same size for every slide to avoid unexpected crops.
Which file format and quality should I use?
JPG or PNG for photos and MP4 for video work everywhere. Instagram compresses every upload, so start from a sharp file at the exact size above rather than a larger one it has to resize. Turning on high quality uploads in the app settings helps on mobile data.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best size for an Instagram post in 2026?
1080 x 1350 (4:5) takes the most space in the feed. If you care about how the profile grid looks, 1080 x 1440 (3:4) matches the grid preview Instagram introduced in 2025.
Why does Instagram crop my photo?
The image is outside the accepted range of 1.91:1 to 4:5 for the feed, or the slides of a carousel have different ratios and follow the first one.
How long can an Instagram Reel be?
Instagram extended Reels to up to 3 minutes in 2025. Shorter Reels are easier to watch to the end, which matters for reach.