Instagram image sizes (2026)
Instagram's display engine crops or compresses images that do not match its supported dimensions. Knowing the exact sizes prevents unexpected cropping and keeps images sharp.
- Square post (1:1) - 1080 × 1080 px — The classic Instagram format. Works on all feeds and grids. Use for product shots, portraits, and graphics where you want a neutral frame.
- Portrait post (4:5) - 1080 × 1350 px — The largest frame Instagram allows in the feed. Takes up more screen space than a square post, which increases engagement for photos and graphics. The most-recommended size for single posts.
- Landscape post (1.91:1) - 1080 × 566 px — For wide shots and panoramas. Note that this gives your post less vertical feed space, which can reduce visibility.
- Stories and Reels (9:16) - 1080 × 1920 px — The full-screen vertical format used for Stories, Reels, and short-form video. Text and interactive elements should stay in the centre third of the frame, as the top and bottom can be cropped on some devices.
Why Instagram blurs your photos
Instagram recompresses all uploaded images to JPEG regardless of what you upload. It also applies additional compression if the file is large. The result: uploading a raw high-resolution photo sometimes produces a blurrier final image than uploading a pre-resized version at exactly 1080 px width.
The recommended workflow: resize to the target Instagram dimensions (1080 px wide), save as JPEG at 80–90% quality, and upload. This gives Instagram less to compress and produces the sharpest possible final result. Use Resize for Instagram to hit the exact dimensions, then run the result through Image Compressor if the file is still large.
Carousel posts and album sizing
Carousel posts (multiple images swiped left) work best when every image in the sequence uses the same dimensions and aspect ratio. Instagram picks the aspect ratio of the first image and applies it to all subsequent images, cropping the others if they differ.
For a carousel where some images are portrait and some landscape, the safest approach is to pre-crop every image to the same aspect ratio (1:1 square is the most forgiving) before uploading. This gives you full control over what part of each image is shown.
Profile picture dimensions
Instagram profile photos display at 110 × 110 px in the app but are stored and recommended at 320 × 320 px. Upload at 320 × 320 px minimum for sharp display on high-DPI (Retina) screens. The image is cropped to a circle by the app, so keep important content — face, logo — well centred.
Video dimensions for Reels
Reels should be 1080 × 1920 px (9:16 vertical) at 30 or 60 fps. The safe zone for text and elements you do not want cropped is roughly 1080 × 1420 px centred on the frame — avoid placing critical content in the top 250 px or bottom 250 px, which may be overlaid by the UI.
Reels thumbnails are generated automatically from the video or from a frame you choose. If the thumbnail matters for your brand, use a custom thumbnail at 1080 × 1920 px. The thumbnail is also how the reel appears in Explore and on your profile grid.