Instagram image sizes guide
Instagram displays almost everything at 1080 pixels on the wide edge. What changes between placements is the aspect ratio: 4:5 for a portrait feed post, 1:1 for a square, 9:16 for stories and reels. Match the ratio and Instagram shows your whole image; get it wrong and it crops.
Published September 7, 2026
Instagram adjusts its layout regularly — the profile grid ratio in particular has changed more than once. These figures reflect current guidance; treat them as a strong default and keep important content away from the edges so a layout tweak cannot cut it off.
Feed posts
| Type | Pixels | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | Takes the most vertical space in the feed. The recommended default. |
| Square | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | Safe, classic, predictable crop everywhere. |
| Landscape | 1080 x 566 | 1.91:1 | Uses the least feed space; fine for wide scenes. |
Portrait 4:5 is the current recommendation because it occupies the largest area as someone scrolls. Instagram also shows increasing support for a taller 3:4 (around 1080 x 1440) feed crop, so leaving a little breathing room top and bottom is wise.
Stories and reels
- Size
- 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Ratio
- 9:16 (full-screen vertical)
- Safe zone
- Keep text and key subjects within the centre ~1080 x 1420. The top and bottom ~250px are covered by the profile, caption and action buttons.
Profile picture and grid
- Profile photo: upload at least 320 x 320 pixels. It is displayed as a small circle, so centre the subject.
- Grid thumbnails: Instagram currently previews posts on your profile grid in a 3:4 crop. If grid consistency matters to you, keep the important part of each post within a centred 3:4 area.
Avoiding the unwanted crop
When your image does not match a supported ratio, Instagram either crops it to fit or pads it. Neither is what you designed. The fix is to resize to the exact target before uploading and choose the crop yourself.
- 1
Pick the placement
Decide whether this is a portrait post, a square, a story or a reel cover.
- 2
Resize to that exact size
Use the Social Media Image Resizer, which has Instagram presets built in. Choose 'crop to fill' to keep the frame edge-to-edge, or 'fit whole image' to keep everything visible with padding.
- 3
Check the framing
Make sure faces and text sit inside the safe area, not against an edge.
- 4
Compress if needed
Instagram re-compresses on upload anyway, but starting from a clean, reasonably sized JPG gives the best final result.
Format and quality
Upload JPG for photos. Instagram will re-compress your image, so there is no benefit to uploading a giant file — a 1080-wide JPG at 85% quality is plenty. Avoid WebP for uploads; support in the Instagram apps is inconsistent.
Quick reference
| Placement | Pixels | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait feed post | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 |
| Square feed post | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 |
| Landscape feed post | 1080 x 566 | 1.91:1 |
| Story / Reel | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 |
| Profile photo | 320 x 320 or larger | 1:1 |
| Grid thumbnail crop | centred 3:4 area | 3:4 |
Images are processed on your device — nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Instagram post size?
1080 x 1350 pixels, a 4:5 portrait ratio. It takes up the most room in the feed as people scroll, which is why Instagram recommends it. Square (1080 x 1080) is the safe alternative when a portrait crop does not suit the image.
Why does Instagram crop my photos?
Because the image does not match a ratio Instagram supports for that placement, so it trims the image to fit. Resize to the exact target ratio before uploading and pick the crop yourself.
What size should an Instagram story be?
1080 x 1920 pixels, a 9:16 ratio. Keep text and important subjects within the central area — roughly the top and bottom 250 pixels are covered by Instagram's own interface.
Does Instagram reduce my image quality?
Yes. Instagram re-compresses every upload. You get the best final result by uploading a correctly sized image (1080 on the wide edge) at a good but not maximum JPG quality, rather than a very large file.