How big are instagram pictures

Instagram Photo Sizes 2022 | IG Size & Dimension Guide

They say there are only three things in this world you can count on—death, taxes, and that the social media sizes you’ve committed to memory will change out of the blue. Fear not, denizens of Instaland! We’re on top of it.

We’ve thoroughly researched all facets of Instagram photo sizes—from posts to stories to profile pics to everything else—so all you need to do is worry about whether or not your feed has a cohesive aesthetic. Check out the current Instagram formats and sizes below and keep on reading for the full rundown on Instagram sizing how-tos.

Current Instagram photo sizes & formats

Below you'll find Instagram post dimensions that are pre-sized and ready to edit in PicMonkey's Templates library. At a standard width of 1080 pixels, Instagram keeps your photo its original size, as long as its height is between 566 and 1350 pixels. If your photo is less than 320 pixels wide, it’ll be stretched. If it’s more than 1080 pixels wide, it’ll be shrunk down. For those posts that are not square, as long as the dimensions of the pic remain as recommended, your image will look like it’s supposed to — it's all about ratios, yo.

Instagram post: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1 ratio)
Instagram profile photo: 360 x 360 px
Instagram landscape photo: 1080 x 608 px (1.91:1 ratio)
Instagram portrait: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 ratio)
Instagram story: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16 ratio)
IGTV cover photo: 420 x 654 (1:1.55 ratio)
IGTV and Reel video: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16 aspect ratio)

Now, if you're like, Cool, got the specs down, but what the heck is an aspect ratio? we've got you covered. Check out this tutorial: Understanding Aspect Ratio in Photography and Design for all the insider deets.

Get perfect Instagram post sizes with PicMonkey's Crop tool

Cropping removes parts of the image to get a designated size or an aesthetically pleasing result. Use Crop when you know your image is larger than the crop size on at least one side.

Click Crop Canvas in the Edits tab. The fastest way to crop for social media is to click the little caret (⌄) on the right side of the "Aspect ratio" dropdown list and scroll down to choose among the Instagram photo sizes. You can move the crop box around in your image to choose a different placement. When you’re done, click Apply.

Size for Instagram with PicMonkey's Resize tool

Resizing makes the entire image stretch or shrink to fit new dimensions. PicMonkey's Resize tool is the way to go if your image has the correct proportions, and you just need to shrink it down or bump it up (but be aware that you'll lose image quality if you do the latter).

Click the Resize tool in Edits, and enter the dimensions you want in the width and height boxes. Click Apply when you're done. If one box is changing size while you enter a value in the other box, that's because it's trying to maintain the original proportions. You can click the keep-proportions icon (chain link) to unlock and execute, but the resulting image will be distorted — this is not advised in 99% of cases.

Instagram video post sizes, Highlight covers, and Story specs

Those little circles below the bio section are the Highlight covers. Make a matching set of Highlight covers with brand color palettes, nuanced graphics, and more in PicMonkey.

Beyond the square pics we know and love, Instagram Stories and Highlights allow users to curate images and videos into a timeline that lives on their feed. With Instagram TV (a.k.a IGTV), Instagram’s video discovery platform, users can upload long-form videos in the vertical format which is great for demonstrating products, featuring tutorials, or developing your brand.

Keep in mind that because videos added to IGTV are vertical, they need to have an aspect ratio between 4:5 and 9:16. One more tip about videos: for in-feed video ads, the aspect ratios are the same as with a photo (1:1 for square, 1. 9:1 for landscape, 4:5 for portrait) but the minimum required resolution for the videos is 600 pixels.

You can create custom covers (a.k.a. icons) for both Instagram Story Highlights and for IGTV videos. For a full tutorial check out Make Custom Highlight Instagram Covers in PicMonkey and know that the steps are the same for making an IGTV cover. When you go to customize your cover you’ll be able to zoom in on the area of your photo that you want highlighted in the circle.

Types of Instagram video posts and sizes for Instagram

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Go for eye-catching movement by choosing a video for your Instagram post, ad, or Story. Using PicMonkey's templates, you can rest assured that you'll have the right Instagram post dimensions and aspect ratios when you upload it to Insta.

Before you post, it's important to know the difference between which type of video you're going for. For example, Reel videos go up to 60 seconds, but IGTV video posts last up to 60 minutes. While both sizes are the same (1080 x 1920 px with a 9:16 aspect ratio), you'll want to organize your content accordingly.

And remember, no single Instagram design is the same. Making an Instagram ad will require a different thought process than, say, a multi-slide Story. The good news? You have oh, so many options to steer your creative process.

Start fast and set yourself up for success with Instagram design templates:

Instagram Posts
Instagram Stories
Instagram Ads

Size images with PicMonkey's Smart Resize tool

Different from PicMonkey's basic Resize tool, Pro subscribers can use the magical Smart Resize tool to create multiple versions of a design in seconds. It's like the difference between washing clothes in a creek vs. throwing a load in the washing machine. That is to say: waaaaaaaay faster and easier on your hands. Here's how to do it.

Click Smart Resize in the top toolbar. Done! (Well, almost.)
In the left menu, expand the sections by clicking the little caret next to the label, and click the checkbox next to every size you want. You can use the search box to find a specific size too.

At the bottom of the menu, click Resize to alter the current image to the new size, or Copy & resize if you want to keep the original as is.
It's done (for real)!

Once you've converted your images, you'll find them restfully awaiting you in our beloved cloud storage, Hub. There, they remain editable forever, for whenever you need to retrieve or change 'em.

Pro Tip: Go the extra mile and organize your creations using PicMonkey's subfolders to make for easy access and a clutter-free design process. You won't be sorry!

Get Instagram photo sizes right with the PicMonkey mobile app

On the go? Say no more. We’ve also got a nifty Instagram photo editor in the PicMonkey mobile app. To get your Instagram post sizes just right, tap Crop and scroll through the options until you land on the Instagram crop sizes.

Choose between post, profile, landscape, portrait, and stories. The images will be cropped to the right Instagram post dimensions automatically, and you can adjust which part of the image shows. When you’re happy with your crop, tap the checkmark.

Get the PicMonkey Mobile App!

How to create Instagram posts using design templates

Browse and preview template in the editor by clicking on the thumbnail. Browse all Instagram Post templates

Get your designs off to a quick start with a pre-made, right-sized template. You can swap in your own pics, words, or graphics. PicMonkey has a sweet selection of templates to choose from (plus Instagram post and Story templates in PicMonkey mobile for iOS!). Each of these posts is the ideal 1080 x 1080 square post size. Need more ideas? We’ve got 18 Instagram Post Ideas to Keep Your Feed Fueled.

Browse all Instagram Story templates

Plus, we have templates sized perfectly for Instagram stories, plus lots more in our Instagram template library. If you want step-by-step instructions on making an Instagram Story, check out our Instagram Story Maker tool. We also have more tools for other social platforms like our YouTube Banner Maker.

Now you’re ready to upload your fab images to Instagram!

Import your photos from Instagram

You can import your Instagram images directly into the PicMonkey editor! You'll need to first connect your Instagram account, and then you can add away. This is super handy for adding an image to a design, or for collecting a bunch of your faves into a collage.

Share images to Instagram directly from PicMonkey

If you have an Instagram Professional Account (Business or Creator) and it's connected to a Facebook Business page, you can post images directly to Instagram from the PicMonkey editor! Just create your design, click Share on the top toolbar, and authorize the connection between PicMonkey and Instagram. You'll be prompted to fill out your image caption and then publish! Note that you can only do this with JPG files.

For more information on this feature, check out: Sharing Designs Directly to Instagram

And just in case you need the Insta photo sizes again:

Instagram Image Sizes 2022

Find the latest Instagram image sizes in the table below, and remember that all of our Instagram design templates are pre-sized for all your Instagramming needs.

Social media image type	Dimensions in pixels
Instagram Ad (single image or carousel)	1080 x 1080
Instagram Post	1080 x 1080 (1:1 ratio)
Instagram Profile Photo	360 x 360
Instagram Landscape Photo	1080 X 566 (1.91:1 ratio)
Instagram Portrait	1080 x 1350 (4:5 ratio)
Instagram Story	1080 x 1920 (9:16 ratio)
IGTV Cover Photo	420 x 654 (1:1. 55 ratio)
IGTV and Reel Video	1080 x 1920 px (9:16 aspect ratio)

The Best Instagram Image Size Guide 2023: All You Need

What’s the best Instagram image size?

Here, you’ll find all the Instagram dimensions for 2023:

Photo, graphic, and video Instagram post size, aspect ratio, and infographic.
Instagram Reels size, thumbnail sizes, aspect ratio, and specs.
Instagram Stories size and aspect ratio for image and video.
Instagram Story highlights cover size.
Instagram ad sizes, aspect ratios, and infographic.
Instagram TV video and cover image specs and sizes, plus infographic.

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Best Instagram Image Sizes for 2023

Instagram is now 12 years old and entertains 2 billion monthly active users, according to DemandSage.

This number was reached in the third quarter of 2021, and is estimated to reach 2. 5 billion by 2023. That’s crazy, right?

IGers spend an average of 30 minutes per day on the platform, and 200 million of them visit at least one business profile daily.

That’s a lot of eyeballs on your posts, so let’s get those sizes right!

Instagram Photo Size

Instagram upgraded the paltry 640 pixel square to a more robust 1080 way back on July 6, 2015. They then added horizontal and vertical images on August 26, 2015.

The optimal Instagram photo sizes are 1080 pixels wide by 566 pixels to 1350 pixels high.

The maximum Instagram resolution is 1080 pixels wide. You can upload larger images, but they will be reduced in size to 1080 pixels wide.

What is the best aspect ratio for Instagram posts?

The best Instagram post sizes:

Instagram Post	Aspect Ratio	Resolution
Square photo or video	1:1	1080 x 1080 px
Landscape photo or video	1. 91:1	1080 x 566 px
Portrait photo or video	4:5	1080 x 1350 px

You can post a landscape (horizontal) image in a 1.91 to 1 aspect ratio, which is exactly the same as a Facebook link preview image. So there’s cross-platform compatibility with IG and Facebook ads.

But I don’t recommend the landscape for marketers, as it takes up less than half the space you could snag with a portrait image!

If you have a landscape photo or graphic that you don’t want to crop to a square, consider using one of the many apps that add a border top and bottom to take up more space in the feed.

The portrait or vertical image gives you the most impact in the Instagram stream. Use 1080 pixel width by 1350 pixels tall.

If your photo is larger, no worries – Instagram will reduce it when you post. Try not to post smaller, though, as your image will lose quality when viewed on most devices, especially retina screens.

The Instagram portrait aspect ratio (or proportion) is the same as an 8 x 10 portrait photo!

You’ll find the aspect ratio 4:5 or 8:10 offered as a cropping option in any photo editing app – or you can crop right in the IG app.

Which do YOU think has more impact on Instagram – landscape or portrait shape photo?

How Do I Choose a Portrait or Landscape Photo on Instagram?

To add a photo, tap the plus sign in the upper right of the home page (main feed) or on your profile tab.

Select a photo or video from your phone or tablet photo library. Stay on this screen.

To share it as a portrait or landscape instead of a square:

Tap the crop icon at the left to switch from a square to a portrait or landscape.
You can pinch the screen to adjust the exact shape.
Adjust cropping by moving the photo around with your fingertip.*
Tap Next to filter or edit.
Tap Next to add your caption and tags.
Post by tapping Share at upper right.

*NOTE that you can no longer adjust cropping after you leave the photo import screen, so do it here!

Also note that the black bars you see down the sides of a portrait photo while you’re editing it will NOT remain after it’s posted. This is just to fit the image into the editing area. It will actually post even larger – to the full width of the feed.

Instagram Gallery view

If you post non-square images, be aware that they will be cropped to a square on your image gallery (Instagram profile page). The center part of the image will show – no options to adjust cropping here.

You can see my profile in the screenshot. All the photos were posted as portrait shape, but are center-cropped in the gallery.

Many people still post the traditional Instagram square. It’s fine if you prefer it. It certainly circumvents any issues with gallery cropping.

I still suggest you consider vertical images for more impact in the Instagram feed, as well as repurposing as Pinterest pins without having to create a separate graphic.

Why Is My Instagram Photo Post NOT 1080 Pixels Wide?

When you share a photo on Instagram, it posts at the best quality resolution possible (up to 1080 pixels wide).

There are a few reasons you may be seeing lower resolution photos on Instagram:

Photos between 320 and 1080 pixels wide will post at their original resolution.
You may need to update to the most recent version of the Instagram mobile app.
Instagram desktop only displays up to 640 pixel wide images.
Your phone might not take and/or support high resolution photos.

NOTE: If you share a photo at a lower resolution than 320 pixels wide, it’ll be enlarged to 320. Please don’t even think of posting such a low rez photo!

If you share a photo at a higher resolution, it’ll be sized down to display at 1080 on the app.

Sizing down is always better than sizing up!

Why You Might Want an Even Larger Instagram Photo Size

I love the Instagram editing tools. Even when I do photo edits in Photoshop, I might add Lux or Saturation in Instagram. Awesome tools!

If you have Save Original Photos set to ON in your Instagram settings, your edited photo is saved at its full resolution to your device’s photo library.

If you want to use the photo to make prints, a picture book, or something else where you need a high resolution… post your Instagram images as large as needed for the later use.

Social media photos are constantly enlarging. Post 1080px square if possible – even larger if you want to ensure you can reuse the image at top quality next year! Who knows, the size may increase again by then.

What size should Instagram Reels be?

Reels are quite easily the most important type of post for marketers in 2023. IG loves to push these out in the feed.

Instagram Reels are viewed full-screen at 9:16 aspect ratio, or 1080 x 1920 pixels. This is the same as IG Stories.

When seen in the newsfeed, Reels are displayed at a 4:5 aspect ratio, or 1080 x 1350 pixels. This is the same as a portrait or vertical image post.

This simply means that approximately 15% of the top and bottom of your video will be cropped off in the feed.

What size is a Reels thumbnail?

In your IG profile, Reels are cropped to a square or 1:1 aspect ratio thumbnail. Just as with un-square image posts, you have no control over this cropping – it’ll be the exact center of your video.

Or you can choose to upload your own optimized thumbnail image, just like you can do for YouTube thumbnails.

Keep in mind that in the Reels gallery, the thumbnail will show the full 9:16 image (reduced to 1/3 size).

Instagram Reels specs

60-second max length (previously 15 and 30-second max length)
Video Export Settings
- H.264 video file
- Bitrate target around 2-3 Mbps
Audio Export Settings
- AAC codec
- Sample Rate of 44100 Hz
- Channels set to Mono
- Bitrate of 160 kbps

LEARN MORE: How to Make a Reel on Instagram – It’s Easy!

What size are Instagram Stories?

Good news for marketers: 1/3 of the most-viewed Stories are from businesses! And 62% of people say they have become more interested in a brand or product after seeing it in Stories.

Instagram has the second-highest social referral rate for ecommerce sites, at 10.7%.

How do IGers get to your site? Links in your Stories! This feature is now rolling out to all business accounts, even if you have fewer than 10K followers.

Whether you’re posting a photo, graphic, or video to your Story, it’ll take up the full mobile screen.

The best Instagram Story size is 1080 x 1920 pixels, or any 9:16 proportion.

If you’re uploading a photo, almost any size or shape will work BUT it’ll be cropped in the Instagram app to a long skinny rectangle smack dab in the middle.

No worries – use two fingers to enlarge, reduce, and position the image exactly as you like it.

Or use the 9:16 crop template in any photo editing app (even iPhone Photos) before adding it to your Story. The exact pixel size isn’t critical, but the shape or aspect ratio is.

If you’re planning to add a video to your Instagram Story, you’ll make your life a lot easier if you shoot it in a vertical format, holding your phone upright. Then it should look just right when you add it to your Story.

Note that videos added to Stories are limited to 15 second clips! As of 2019, Instagram will cut longer videos into 15 second bits.

You’ll want to keep Story videos relatively short though. Post longer videos to Instagram TV – details after the section on ad sizes.

LEARN MORE: This Is Why You Need To Use Instagram Stories Right Now

Instagram Story highlight size

If you’re making graphics, the 1080 x 1920 pixel size is ideal. When you go to customize your cover, you’ll be able to zoom in on the area of your photo that you want highlighted in the circle.

Instagram Ad Sizes 2023

If you have an Instagram business account, you can advertise on Instagram, and even easily promote a post right within the Instagram app.

According to the Instagram official website, 60% of people discover new products on this platform, and there are around 25 million business profiles with 2 million active advertisers on Instagram.

About 200 million Instagram users visit business profiles per day. Isn’t it impressive that studies on Instagram marketing found that 72% of users purchased items they discovered via Instagram content!

That’s 130 million Instagram users tapping on shopping posts every month. Are they shopping your business?

Reach more of your audience with Instagram ads! Instagram’s potential advertising reach is 849.3 million users. Reach them well with the appropriate ads.

Below are sizes and specs for the 5 types of Instagram ads.

1 | Instagram image ad size and specs

The Image Ad is the most widely used advertising type for both Instagram and Facebook.

As Instagram is a photo-sharing social media platform, it’s essential to share visually pleasing content.

Instagram crops your image to a square when it is displayed on the feed, but you can also add it as a landscape or portrait image.

Here are some specifications of Instagram image ads:

Caption: up to 2,200 characters
Image format: . jpg or .png
Max. file size: 30 MB
Square (1:1 aspect ratio):
600×600 pixels (minimum)
1936×1936 pixels (maximum)
Landscape (1.91:1 aspect ratio):
600×315 pixels (minimum)
1936×1936 pixels (maximum)
Portrait (4:5 aspect ratio):
600×750 pixels (minimum)
1936×1936 pixels (maximum)

2 | Instagram video ad size and specs

Video Ads let you introduce your brand or offers with a video or GIF.

Instagram videos start to play when the application opens. The moving nature of video ads helps to catch user attention as they scroll their Instagram feeds.

Time spent watching videos on Instagram was up more than 75% year-over-year in 2019.

Here are the basic specifications:

File Size – up to 4GB
Length – 120 seconds
Caption Length – 2200 characters
Aspect Ratio:
Square – 1:1
Landscape – 1.91:1
Portrait – 4:5

3 | Instagram Stories ad size and specs

Stories are one of the popular features on Instagram.

Instagram Stories are similar to Snapchat in that they allows users, and brands, to share self-destructing photos and videos. They draw attention to your brand with Stories Highlights, which will stay on your profile until you remove them.

On Instagram Stories, you can post recorded videos, photos, live videos, boomerangs, text and music. You can also add stickers such as your location, user tags, the temperature and hashtags.

Here are the Stories specs:

Format: Full-screen vertical ad (9:16)
File types: .jpg or .png
Photo content: visible for 5 seconds
Aspect Ratio: from 1:91 to 4:5
File type
.mp4 or .mov (Video)
.jpg or .png (Photo)
Maximum File Size:
4GB (Video)
30MB (Photo)
Length
Maximum: 15 seconds
Images show for 5 seconds by default
Dimensions
Resolution: 1080 x 1920 (portrait)
Minimum: 600 x 1067

4 | Instagram Collection ad size and specs

Collection ads worki like this: When users see an advertisement or offer from your brand, they’ll have the option to purchase products directly from the ad.

Using Collections, you can showcase your products and discounts to increase sales. The result proved that it increased conversions by 6.3%.

Aspect ratio: 1:1 to 16.9
Character length: 90
Formats and dimensions are the same as those of a standard image or video ad.

5 | Instagram Carousel ad size and specs

Carousel ads allow you to show a series of scrollable images or videos rather than just one single image.

This ad feature can link to your Facebook Page or website directly using a “Learn More” button.

Here are some specifications of Carousel ads:

Minimum number of carousel cards: 2
Maximum number of carousel cards: 10 successive carousel cards
Aspect ratio: 1:1 (recommended)
Resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels (recommended)
Image file format: .jpg and .png
Image maximum file size: 30MB
Video length: up to 240 minutes (15 seconds recommended)
Video file format: . mp4
Video maximum file size: 4GB

LEARN MORE: 11 Instagram Carousel Ideas You Need [with examples]

Click here to see and repin the entire Instagram ad sizes infographic on Pinterest. Our thanks to by TechWyse for the graphic and complete guide to Instagram Business Accounts.

Instagram TV specs and sizes

Instagram TV, formerly IGTV, is the place for users to post longer-form videos. Learn more about it at the end of this article.

What are the video requirements for Instagram TV?

Videos must be between 15 seconds and 10 minutes long.

Note: Larger accounts and verified accounts can upload videos up to 60 minutes long, but they must be uploaded from a computer.

Videos must be in MP4 file format.

Videos should be vertical (not landscape) with an aspect ratio of 9:16.
Videos should have a minimum frame rate of 30 FPS (frames per second) and minimum resolution of 720 pixels.
The maximum file size for videos that are 10 minutes or less is 650MB. The maximum file size for videos up to 60 minutes is 3.6GB.

Instagram TV Cover Photo Size

The recommended size for cover photos is 420px by 654px (or 1:1.55 ratio). Right now, you can’t edit your cover photo after you’ve uploaded it.

I have no clue how they came up with this size, but it says so right here on Instagram help.

Which Instagram image size will you use?

We covered all this:

Photo, graphic, and video Instagram post size.
Instagram Reels and thumbnails size and aspect ratio.
Instagram Stories size and aspect ratio for image, video, and highlights cover.
Instagram ad sizes and aspect ratios, all 5 types.
Instagram TV video specs and sizes, plus cover images.

Miss something? Scroll back to review. Scroll down to see the infographics!

This post was originally published September 2015 and last updated December 2022.

Please share! Help the word get out. Pin the graphics below to help others know what’s the best Instagram image size.

Want more?

Click to get ALL the social media image sizes and a FREE cheat sheet!

How to use Instagram TV for Marketing

Instagram TV, formerly known as IGTV, is the place for users to post longer-form videos.

Any IGer can post videos up to 10 minutes, and verified users can post videos up to 60 minutes in length. Users who follow your account on regular Instagram will see a preview in the regular feed, suggesting they click to watch more on IGTV.

This IGTV infographic, “The Savvy Marketer’s Guide to IGTV,” was created by M2 On Hold.

Launched in June 2018, IGTV is the latest offering from Instagram. This infographic shows you everything you need to know in order to get the most out of this brand-new feature for your brand’s content marketing strategy.

Instagram says:

Five years after the launch of video on Instagram, we are excited to introduce IGTV which brings audiences closer to the creators they love.

We are re-envisioning mobile video with a new standalone surface that features longer videos and easy discoverability through channels, all in a vertical format that sits upright, in the palm of your hand.

We’re evolving with the times; these days, people are watching less TV and more digital video. By 2021, mobile video will account for 78% of total mobile data traffic. And we’ve learned that younger audiences are spending more time with amateur content creators and less time with professionals.

IGTV is:

Mobile first: IGTV is built for how you actually use your phone: vertical and full screen.

Simple and intuitive: It starts playing as soon as you open the app. You don’t have to search or browse to get started, and it’s easy to multitask.

Curated: IGTV is focused on the creators you love most and already follow on Instagram.

Anyone can be a creator on IGTV and upload videos in the app or on the web.

What IGTV means for businesses

Longer vertical video on Instagram makes it even easier to get closer to your audience and be discovered by new people.

Be first: Be among the first to lead the future of video.

Get closer: Use longer, permanent video for deeper storytelling. Build stronger connections with potential customers as you showcase other dimensions of your business without being limited to one type of content, length or format.

Leverage your community: As with Instagram stories, IGTV is built on Instagram leveraging a global community of more than 800M people. When your followers open IGTV, they will instantly see original content from you, and new people can also discover your brand.

In conclusion, Instagram says: We believe this is the future of video. People continue to spend more time with entertainment on their mobile devices, and we’re making it easier for them to get closer to the creators and original content they love.

Your next step with IGTV? Learn how to maximize your marketing via this infographic!

Instagram photo sizes and scales 2021

After years of just one type of image and video orientation, many other formats have been added to Instagram. These features provide excellent opportunities for creating new content; however, navigating through IGTV, stories, videos, and other posts can be difficult.

This guide will help you understand the optimal sizes and scales for different Instagram formats. We hope this helps you and makes things easier. Once you learn the basic rules, you will be able to create high quality content and your social media page will grow faster and more efficiently. nine0003

Instagram Image Basics: Size and Aspect Ratio

Before we get into the specifications of Instagram, there are a couple of terms you need to know - size and aspect ratio. Although at first glance they describe the same thing, you need to understand the difference, especially in units of measurement.

Size

Size, also referred to as resolution, refers to how many pixels are contained across the width and height of an image. It is expressed in two numbers; for example: 320px by 1080px. The width is indicated by the first number, and the second is the height. nine0003

Resolution is important when taking and uploading high quality photos and images. If the resolution is high, then it contains more pixels - in other words, more data. Thus, the higher the resolution, the higher the image quality. A pixel-limited screen or platform modifies the source material to fit within the specified dimensions.

Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio is the ratio between the width and height of an image. This dimension is referred to as x:y. For example, it could be 9:16 where 9 is how wide the picture is and 16 is how tall it is.

The importance of aspect ratio comes down to resizing images without distortion. Some users make the mistake of changing images - they ignore the recommended aspect ratio. As a result, they get strange photos, although this could be easily avoided.

Instagram Image Size: Best Tricks in 2021

Even if you want to post sharp photos, uploading images in high resolution, such as 5400px by 5400px, will not achieve the desired result. On the contrary, it will negatively affect the image quality. Therefore, you should take the time to study and follow the recommended sizes. nine0003

The table below will give you a basic idea of common ratios and sizes for various Instagram photos.

Instagram image format	Aspect ratio	Size
Avatar	1:1	180 x 180 px
Square photo	1:1	1080x1080px
Landscape photo	1.91:1	1080 x 566 px (608 px)
Portrait/vertical photo	4:5	1080x1350px
Carousel posts	1:1	1080x1080px
Stories	9:16	1080x1920px

Instagram avatar size

The avatar is located next to the username and profile header, so you should take it seriously. The requirements for an Instagram avatar for mobile and desktop versions are slightly different, so it’s better to choose larger images so that they fit well under both versions. nine0003

Aspect ratio: 1:1
Ideal size: between 110 x 110 px and 180 x 180 px
Maximum resolution: 180 x 180 px

Note: The rules do not imply that your avatar must be exactly 180x180px when uploaded. Theoretically, you can upload images much larger than this. More importantly, they must be square in order for the system to display them correctly.

Before uploading a photo, crop it into a square shape to see what details will be cut off and what will remain visible. The finished avatar will be in the shape of a circle, so you should check that there are no important elements around the edges of the image. You should also remember that the photo will be very small, so it makes sense to enlarge it a little and crop it. nine0003

Instagram square image size

Square is the original format that all Instagram users are well aware of. It is still the choice of many users, especially when you consider the fact that posts are displayed in this ratio in the profile grid.

Aspect ratio: 1:1
Optimal size: between 600 x 600 px and 1080 x 1080 px
Maximum resolution: 1080 x 1080 px

Note: When you're composing a square photo, it's best to center the main element. Since there is not much working space on the sides, crop the photo so that the focus is in the center.

Another working method is symmetrical composition. Even if it breaks the rule of thirds that everyone in the world of photography talks about, it works great for Instagram. Symmetrical composition creates harmony and a sense of aesthetic satisfaction, balance and proportion. Play with lines, mirroring and patterns. nine0003

Instagram horizontal (landscape) photo size

Landscape photo orientation is not the best choice for most profiles, but some use it to maintain the look of a professional photo. The standard will still be a square, but you can easily change it with the edit button.

Aspect ratio: 1.91:1
Optimal size: between 600 x 315 px and 1080 x 608 px
Maximum resolution: 1080 x 608 px

Note: Most cameras shoot in 16:9 ratio, not 1.91:1. If you don't resize the photos, they will either be loaded with black edges or the sides of the image will be cut off. Black edges are highly undesirable as they change the look of the image and make the tape look inconsistent.

There are several advantages to creating landscape photos or cropping them to this format. This ratio seems more natural to the human eye and conveys a sense of space or panoramic perception. Landscape orientation is great for horizontal or horizontally moving objects. And in conclusion - this format is most suitable for viewing from a computer. nine0003

Instagram vertical (portrait) photo size

Portrait is a favorite format for marketers as it takes up more real estate on users' screens whenever they're not opening the app. While Instagram gives users room to get creative with non-square formats, there are some limitations.

Aspect ratio: 4:5
Optimal size: between 480 x 600 px and 1080 x 1350 px
Maximum size: 1080 x 1350 px

Note: As we mentioned earlier, the reason portrait photos are prioritized is the most common: they fill almost the entire user's display space. This means that it catches the eye more and gives more chances that the photo will be noticed. In addition, this format literally gives you more physical space to place your brand.

In this case, the rule of thirds comes into play. Vertical lines can be divided into foreground, middle and background. Ideally, it's best to place something eye-catching in all three parts. As a last resort, there should be at least one main focus point. nine0003

Instagram carousel post size

The carousel allows users to upload up to 10 images that match the same aspect ratio. Sometimes it's not easy to align all the photos properly, but it's handy for posting multiple images, close-ups, and other pictures in one post.

Aspect ratio: 1:1
Optimal size: between 600 x 600 px and 1080 x 1080 px
Maximum resolution: 1080 x 1080 px

Note: If you have very high resolution photos of your products, you should consider uploading them in slices to the carousel, ie. you need to enlarge each part of the photo and divide it into parts. In this way, you can showcase the product with all the details, as well as give a general idea of it.

You can also try posting additional items that complement or are part of the set. This way, you won't clutter your feed with multiple posts that might annoy some users. You can even achieve a panoramic effect by posting a layout carousel, where each photo is a suggestion of the previous one. nine0003

Instagram Stories Size

Instagram Stories are very engaging, accessible and easy to follow. Since stories are an effective way to increase reach, engagement, and conversions, you can't afford to upload content in an incomprehensible way.

Aspect ratio: 9:16
Optimal size: between 600 x 1067 px and 1080 x 1920 px
Maximum resolution: 1080 x 1920 px

Note: Instagram provides specific options for different ratios. Photos that do not meet the recommended parameters will not be stretched; instead, the app will add a border around the edges to match the main color scheme of the image. This option allows you to upload even horizontal photos (however, they will be much smaller than vertical ones). nine0003

However, you should still opt for a vertical format in Stories. People use their smartphones vertically, so you don't have to force them to rotate their phones to see the full size image. If you do without using a frame to fill the entire screen, and also rotate the photo vertically, then you will be pleased with the end result.

Instagram video size

If you want to create the perfect Instagram video, then you need to consider the features of the platform. Check out our guide on how to post videos to Instagram and try playing around with different formats. There are many nuances in the publication of videos that are worth getting to know. nine0003

Here is a short table of allowed video formats and their features.

Instagram video format	Aspect ratio	Size
Square video	1:1	1080x1080px
Horizontal video	16:9	1080x608px
Vertical video	4:5	1080 x 1350px
IGTV	9:16	1080x1350px
Storys	9:16	1080x1920px

Just like with photos, Instagram provides the ability to work with square videos. This format is standard and universal for all kinds of devices. The technical requirements for square videos are almost the same as those for photos.

Square video aspect ratio: 1:1
Minimum and maximum resolution: 600 x 600 px and 1080 x 1080 px
Duration: up to 60 seconds
File size: up to 4 GB

Our recommendations for horizontal videos are almost identical to those we gave for photos. The reason why we recommend using a different aspect ratio is that it's too complicated to convert a video to 1.9:1. In addition, most people are used to watching videos in 16:9 format.

Aspect ratio for horizontal videos: 16:9
Minimum and maximum resolution: 600 x 315 px and 1080 x 608 px
Duration: up to 60 seconds
File size: up to 4 GB

Vertical video and full screen are not the same thing. If you're filming a clip on your phone, or recording a video on TikTok or Snapchat, then you'll need to resize the video before posting it to your feed.

Aspect ratio for vertical videos: 4:5
Minimum and maximum resolution: 600 x 750 px and 1080 x 1350 px
Duration: up to 60 seconds
File size: up to 4 GB

IGTV is Instagram's first attempt at adding a longer video option. To date, this format has proved to be the most suitable for a more detailed display of any topic without a 60-second limit.

IGTV aspect ratio: 9:16
Minimum and maximum resolution: 600 x 750 px and 1080 x 1350 px
Duration: 15 seconds to 60 minutes
File size: up to 5.4 GB

Note: The recommended cover photo size is 420 by 654 px, which corresponds to a ratio of 1:1.55. Try to fit the cover image to the exact size you need because you won't be able to change it later.

Story video is a way to make short vertical videos. Whether you record video directly from the app or upload it from an album, the requirements remain the same. If the video does not fit the required parameters, it will be automatically cropped. nine0003

Aspect ratio for video stories: 9:16
Minimum and maximum resolution: 600 x 1067 px and 1080 x 1920 px
Duration: up to 15 seconds
File size: up to 4 GB

Long pictures appeared on Instagram. What happened and how to do the same?

Suddenly

Nikolay Udintsev

May 7, 2020 21:46

Very long pictures began to be published on Instagram, which break the feed and confuse subscribers. In the comments they are surprised and ask: how to make the same? We briefly describe how this is possible and how to hack the feed yourself. nine0003

What other long Instagram posts?

Long posts posted on Instagram by Vetememes, a parody clothing brand that photoshops models in Vetements and Balenciaga and replaces the logos with Vetememes and Boolenciaga . The brand has its own lookbook, however, you can’t buy anything from it, you can only pre-order it. On the project's Instagram, which is signed with the phrase "A parody of a parody", mostly memes are posted.

After Vetememes, other brands and users started posting long pictures (however, they deleted them almost immediately). nine0003

The posted posts are so long that they cannot fit on the screen of even the tallest phone. If you send such a post to stories or paste it on the desktop version of the site, then it will remain incredibly long. The Instagram app, of course, officially does not allow you to upload such tall pictures. Portrait photos are limited to 4/5 aspect ratio and 1080/1350 pixels, so any taller photo, such as 2/3 aspect ratio, will need to be cropped. nine0003

How to break the Instagram feed yourself?

You need to create a very narrow and long picture. On a phone, this can be done in PicsArt (iOS, Android), Adobe Sketch (iOS, Android) and Photofox (iOS) applications: in the list of suggested aspect ratios, select "Manual" (or "Custom") and specify the aspect ratio, for example 16/6000 pixels.

The smaller the width, the longer you can make the picture, so the ideal option is a canvas with a width of one pixel. In this case, the height of the image will most likely be limited only by the capabilities of the photo editor. While writing the material on Instagram, I managed to upload an image with an aspect ratio of 1/10 thousand pixels. It will take a very long time to scroll such an image. In addition, it will most likely lose its color, for example, an image with an aspect ratio of 5/100 pixels loaded in black, and 1/10 thousand in white. nine0003

There is one more option - crop or shrink the photo. In this case, after uploading to Instagram, terrifying artifacts will appear on the picture. To make such a post, you need a desktop photo editor.

Is it possible to break other social networks in the same way?

You can upload a long image to Facebook, but it will be displayed in the feed as a regular photo - with an aspect ratio of 2/3.