Instagram has grown into a visual powerhouse, with over one billion users engaging daily with photos, videos, and Stories. Whether you’re a content creator, influencer, or brand, posting high-quality visuals with the correct dimensions is crucial to looking professional and maximizing engagement. This guide will walk you through the up-to-date Instagram size requirements for Reels, Stories, posts, and thumbnails—plus offer *free templates* to make your work easier.
Instagram Post Sizes at a Glance
Each post type on Instagram requires specific dimensions to display optimally on users’ feeds. Uploading the wrong size could result in cropping, poor resolution, or completely misaligned layouts.
1. Instagram Feed Posts
- Square photos: 1080 x 1080 pixels
- Portrait photos: 1080 x 1350 pixels
- Landscape photos: 1080 x 566 pixels
All feed post images should maintain a 1.91:1 to 4:5 aspect ratio for best results.
2. Instagram Stories
- Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
Stories take over the full screen and are designed for vertical viewing. Keep text and core design elements within the center-safe area to avoid UI overlays like the reply box or profile menu.
3. Instagram Reels
- Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
Reels use the same dimensions as Stories but differ in how they are discovered—through the Explore tab or the Reels tab. Make sure your first few seconds are visually strong to grab attention.
4. Instagram Thumbnails
- Size for Reels & IGTV covers: 420 x 654 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1:1.55
When choosing a cover thumbnail for Reels or IGTV, opt for a portrait orientation and keep key visuals centered to ensure they appear correctly in the feed grid.
5. Instagram Ads
- Stories ads: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Feed ads: 1080 x 1080 or 1080 x 1350 pixels
- Carousel ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels
Ad formats need to follow the same visual rules as organic content, but with even more attention to clarity and call-to-action placement since ROI depends on conversions.
Free Instagram Templates
Managing multiple formats can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve created a set of *free templates* tailored to the exact dimensions described in this guide. These templates are available in PSD, Canva, and PNG format, allowing anyone—from pros to beginners—to easily create scroll-stopping content. Download the free Instagram size guide templates here.
Tips for Optimizing Instagram Content
- Keep file sizes under 30MB to avoid compression and slow loading.
- Use PNG files for illustrations and images with transparency.
- Use JPGs with a high quality setting (80% or higher) for best results on photos.
- Always preview your layout on multiple devices.
Following size guidelines is not just about fitting in—it’s about standing out. With the right visual sizes, your content will render crisply and consistently, helping you look your best and boost engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best size for Instagram Reels?
The ideal size for Reels is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. - Can I upload landscape videos to Instagram Stories?
You can, but they won’t take full advantage of the screen space. Vertical videos (1080 x 1920) are recommended. - Do Instagram templates work in Canva?
Yes! Many free templates are optimized for Canva and Photoshop. - Why do my images look blurry on Instagram?
This could be due to uploading poor resolution images or files that exceed size limits and get compressed automatically. - Is there one universal size I can use for all posts?
While 1080 x 1350 pixels works for most feed posts, using the proper dimensions for each format is best to avoid cropping or quality loss.