Instagram is a platform for sharing your photos and videos to the world. It’s highly visual, so it’s vital for your Instagram post size to be perfect if you want to enhance your presence.
Your images and videos have to be aesthetically appealing and stimulating. Whether you’re using the social media channel as a marketing platform or personal reasons, oddly cropped or grainy photos will result in very little engagement. Or worst, make your followers hit that unfollow button.
One of the best ways to prevent this is to ensure you know the right Instagram pic size before uploading. It is imperative to make changes in line with the latest features of the platform and optimize your image size for Instagram to stay in the game. You can also make your social media epic with easy-to-use Instagram templates from niceverynice.com suitable for small businesses and big companies.
Let’s be honest. We’re always looking for new and incredible ways to post our videos and photos on Instagram. We want a fantastic way to engage our followers with stunning content. Whether it be in landscape, portrait, or old-school square option, we want our photos, videos, Instagram Stories, and IGTV videos to be eye-catching.
Although these new features and options are amazing, figuring out the suitable Instagram size is a bit tricky. Before, the only option you have is the 612 x 612 px square photos. However, today, we’re seeing a rise in the popularity of horizontal and vertical photos.
Does size really matter?
YES! There is no doubt about that. Instagram size is crucial if you want to:
Using the right dimensions for your post can help drive engagement. But which one should you use? Our simple guide can help you choose the right Instagram dimensions for each of your content. You’ll also learn which image resolution you need to upload to ensure optimal clarity.
Below are the Instagram pic size recommendations:
When we first started using Instagram way back in 2012, we are only allowed to upload photos with pictures in an aspect ratio of 1:1. If you want to showcase your gorgeous portrait or landscape photos, you have no choice but to crop them into squares or use time-consuming third-party apps to showcase your photos the way you want it.
In 2015, not only did the social media giant added landscape and portrait options to the classic square, but they also introduced video uploading in Instagram.
These different image orientations provide you with greater versatility in terms of image creation. However, there are still limitations that you need to understand.
The Instagram resolution allowed for your videos and photos ranges between 320 px to 1080 px. Uploading a video or photo below 320px means that Instagram will enlarge them to meet the minimum Instagram dimension, which can impact the quality of your post negatively. On the other hand, Instagram will crop any images exceeding 1080px. So if you want the best video or photo quality, make sure to size up or size down before uploading.
The perfect image size for Instagram are:
Before we dig deeper into Instagram size, it’s also significant to understand what aspect ratio is all about.
Generally speaking, the aspect ratio of your photos is about its width to its height. The ratio’s first digit is the representation of its width while the second digit is for its height. So for your square Instagram picture size, its aspect ratio is 1:1 since it has the same width and height
The Instagram aspect ratios are:
Aside from the upgrade of the maximum Instagram resolution from 640 px to 1080 px, support for non-square pictures is also added, including on Instagram ads. Landscape images with a 1.91:1 aspect ratio similar to Facebook link preview images is now allowed. This makes the ads compatible with FB ads.
However, it is not ideal for marketers to use landscape, as portrait images can take up more space, which means you will be able to show your products or services more.
You may also want to consider using an app to add a bottom and top border to your landscape graphic or picture if you cropping it to square is not an option. You’d want to take up as much space in your feed as possible.
Keep in mind that the app will crop your tall or wide photos to square size on your photo gallery or profile page.
Portrait images will provide your Instagram stream with the biggest bang. So make sure to use the 1080 px width. Avoid posting smaller images as they will lose their quality when viewed on the majority of devices, especially those with retina displays.
The aspect ratio of and Instagram portrait is similar to an 8 x 10 portrait picture. The app provides you with an option to crop your images to 8:10 or 4:5 aspect ratio.
Now let’s have a look at the perfect Instagram image size for your square, vertical, and landscape photos, as well as for your Instagram Stories, IGTV, and Instagram profile picture.
Recommended Size: 1080 x 1080 px
Aspect Ratio: 1:1
The IG square image orientation with a 1:1 aspect ratio is a classic look. It’s still extremely popular among users and sizing it will be the least of your worries. It’s the most manageable Instagram pic size. You’ll be able to get it right every time because most image editing apps and Instagram itself has an auto-cropping functionality.
You can get the best results by ensuring your photos is between 320 x 320 px and 1080 x 1080 px. Uploading a photo exceeding these Instagram dimensions will result in the compression of your images for display, which in turn will distort details and negatively impact their quality.
On the other hand, Instagram will expand any image below 320 x 320 px, which will cause fuzziness and pixelation. The compressed square photo version on Instagram which will look flawless on both desktop and mobile, and not affect its resolution is 600 x 600px.
Recommended Size: 1080 x 608 px
Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1
It can be challenging to get the perfect Instagram dimensions for horizontal or landscape photos. The reason for this is the ideal 1.91:1 aspect ratio. Using this dimension allows you to show your landscape images beautifully without the need for a border.
Generally, the optimal Instagram resolution for landscape images is 1080 x 608 px. You can achieve the right horizontal Instagram image size easily by turning your mobile phone horizontally when shooting. You’re also allowed to upload your photos and videos up to 16:9 aspect ratio, but they will have a black border. So when you’re holding your smartphone from a different angle when taking a video or photo, edit them to have a 16:9 aspect ratio.
The sample IG post above from NatGeo fits with the Instagram dimensions perfectly, so there’s no need for a border.
Recommended Size: 1080 x 1350 px
Aspect Ratio: 4:5
With the release of new iPhone models, more Instagram users are opting to upload their photos in the vertical orientation. The portrait or vertical photo option allows you to fit your full pictures on Instagram without cropping them. It’s fairly simple to get the portrait photo right on your first try. However, you still need to crop your oversize vertical images to ensure they are suitable for Instagram dimensions.
The aspect ratio ideal for a portrait Instagram post is 4:5, and the best resolution is 1080 x 1350 px. Going beyond these measurements means you’ll be prompted to crop a portion of your content. The compressed version that will be displayed is a max of 480 x 600 px.
In the example above, renowned designer Monique Lhuiller used the portrait option to showcase the stunning silhouette of her dress. Cropping the photo into a square 1:1 will not give the picture and the dress justice.
1:1 is the perfect aspect ratio for your Instagram profile picture. Its resolution on a desktop is 180 x 180 px while on mobile it will be 110 x 100 px, while it will be scaled down to 40 x 40 px on feeds.
Profile pictures are a tricky thing. Instagram profile pictures display as a circle, which means the corners of your square photo will be cropped out. This may not be an issue for a human, product, or animal photos since it’s likely that the subject you want to feature may already be in the center of the photo. Just make sure there’s enough space on the sides.
However, for a business Instagram account, it’s a whole different story. You may encounter some problems when you’re uploading your rectangular or square company logo. The corners of your square logo will get cropped out if you’ll upload it without any background or borders.
Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 px
Aspect Ratio: 9:16
Instagram Stories is a fantastic tool to connect with your growing followers. It allows you to do so much in terms of engaging your followers, from text posts and uploading videos and images to hosting live streams. Although you can upload videos and pictures in landscape mode, Instagram Stories are best viewed if they are in portrait mode, which is what they are intended to be viewed in the first place.
The ideal dimensions for your Instagram Stories are the same as those for portrait photos of your post. Your smartphone will automatically take videos or photos with the recommended 1080 x 1920 px size if you take them vertically.
Instagram will make the changes for you if you upload an image or video below or over the dimension, which can affect the quality of your post. This may result in your viewers to miss essential portions of your content. You may consider shrinking your picture, but the bottom and top part of your story will have a blank space. So make sure to upload using the right dimensions to prevent these problems.
To make things simpler for you, here are cool Instagram Story templates where you don’t need to do the daunting task of designing yourself. Everything is already made for you to help you grow your followers and make new customers.
If your favorite way to connect with and engage your followers is through videos, knowing the correct dimensions is crucial for easy-breezy uploading and posting of your content.
Similar to your image posts, your vide options include traditional square, landscape, and horizontal with the following aspect ratios:
Carousel and Square: 1:1 aspect ratio
Landscape: 16:9 aspect ratio
Portrait: 4:5 aspect ratio
While the recommended Instagram resolution for your videos are:
It is ideal for landscape posts to use a 16:9 aspect ratio since editing a video into a 1.91:1 requires more time and effort on your part. Besides, Instagram users are used to viewing 16:9 videos, so it may not be worth spending your time editing your video to 1.91:1. You’d want to spend those precious time planning your next content.
Also, there are Instagram video requirements you need to be aware of before uploading your content. You will not be able to upload your videos if you exceed the following maximum requirements:
The maximum and minimum Instagram resolution of your video will be determined on its orientation, just like with your image posts:
It’s recommended to use the max resolution since Instagram will compress your video file upon upload. You’d want to preserve the crystal clarity of your videos as much as possible.
Recommended Cover Photo Size: 420 x 654 px
IGTV is sometimes referred to as “YouTube for Instagram.” When it was first launched, you can only use a portrait with a 9:16 aspect ratio. But after numerous complaints from users, the platform now allows the use of landscape mode, opening up plenty of options for shooting the content of your IGTV.
But before getting excited, here are some IGTV post dimensions you have to remember:
Creating stunning Instagram Ads can lead you to sales. Grabbing the attention of your target audience is hard enough with still images, so it’s essential to make the most from them. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
So what is the ideal Instagram image size for ads?
Image Ad For Instagram Stories. If you want a wider reach for your brand and boost engagement, this feature is the best option as it utilizes the entire screen. Its recommended size is a minimum of 600 x 600 px and 1080 x 1920 px max.
Now that you have an understanding of which Instagram photo size to use on your next post, you will be able to optimize your Instagram account and step up your game. Although you are given enough room to be creative with your content, be smart with your choice, and make sure you are aware of how your target audience will react to various image size for Instagram.
