Last Updated on March 28, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

In the world of social media, Instagram is one of the most visual platforms, with millions of images and videos shared daily. Whether you’re a brand, influencer, or just a casual user, making sure your content fits perfectly on Instagram is crucial to getting the best engagement possible.

In this guide, we’ll break down the ideal image and video sizes for every post type on Instagram, so you can optimize your content and ensure that your visuals always look their best, no matter the device or screen size.

The Importance of Instagram Image and Video Size

Getting the right size for your Instagram images and videos is important. When your content is sized correctly, it looks great, grabs attention, and keeps your followers interested.

Why Instagram Image Sizes Matter

• Clear Images: Using the right size keeps your photos from looking blurry or stretched, so they stay sharp and professional.
• More Engagement: People are more likely to like, comment, and share your post if it looks good and fits the screen properly.
• Better Feed Look: Consistent image sizes give your profile a neat, organized look, which can help build a stronger brand.
• Perfect for Mobile: Since most people use Instagram on their phones, having the right image size makes sure your post looks good no matter what device they use.

Why Instagram Video Sizes Matter

• Full-Screen Experience: For things like Stories and Reels, the right video size fills the screen and gives viewers a more engaging experience.
• No Cropping: A properly sized video won’t get cut off or look awkward, so everything important stays in the frame.
• Reach More People: Instagram is more likely to show well-sized videos to a bigger audience, helping your content get seen by more people.

Using the right image and video sizes helps your posts look good, reach more people, and keeps your followers interested in what you share.

Instagram Image sizes in 2025

Instagram supports several image formats, depending on the type of post you’re sharing. Instagram has evolved its image sizes and formats significantly as of 2025, reflecting a shift towards more vertical content.

1. Instagram profile photo size

Your Instagram profile picture plays a crucial role in your personal or business branding. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the ideal profile picture size and considerations.

• Recommended size: 320 x 320 pixels.
• Aspect ratio: 1:1
• Display Size: 110 x 100 pixels (circular crop).
• Why it works: Instagram will resize your profile image to a circle, so a square image ensures no parts of the picture are cut off.

Tips For a professional Instagram profile picture:

• Center your image: Ensure the subject is centered to avoid cropping.
• Keep it simple: Use a clear, recognizable image that looks good in a small size.
• Use high resolution: Start with a high-quality image to maintain clarity.
• Stay consistent with branding: Align your picture with your brand or personal style.
• Avoid text and small details: These may not be legible in the small, circular frame.

2. Instagram Post Size

Choosing the right Instagram post size is crucial for ensuring your content looks sharp, professional, and engaging across all devices. Instagram automatically resizes and crops posts to fit within its feed, and using the correct dimensions ensures that your images aren’t distorted, cropped awkwardly, or blurry.

• Square posts (1080 x 1080 pixels) are the most common and provide a balanced, consistent look in the feed.
• Portrait posts (1080 x 1350 pixels) maximize screen space on mobile, making them more eye-catching.
• Landscape posts (1080 x 566 pixels) Ideal for wide shots or panoramas, though they occupy less vertical space in the feed compared to portrait posts.

Using the recommended sizes helps maintain the quality of your images, ensuring they appear clear and well-composed. This improves the overall aesthetic of your profile and increases engagement by making your posts more visually appealing.

3. Instagram Story Size

Stories provide real-time updates and are ephemeral, disappearing after 24 hours. Instagram Stories are designed to be viewed on a vertical screen. Make sure your images are optimized for this feature.

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• Why it works: Full-screen, immersive content. This is the ideal size for all Instagram stories.

4. Instagram Reel Size

This is the optimal size for Instagram Reels, ensuring your video fills the screen in a vertical format.

• Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16
• Instagram Reels are best viewed in a full-screen, vertical orientation, making the 9:16 aspect ratio ideal for mobile viewing.
• This vertical format ensures that your video fills the screen when viewed on mobile devices, providing a full-screen experience that is ideal for engaging viewers.

5. Instagram Carousel Size

Instagram carousel posts allow users to share multiple images or videos in a single post, which followers can swipe through. As of 2025, the recommended sizes for carousel posts are:

Recommended Carousel Post Sizes

• Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (Aspect Ratio: 1:1)
• Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1)
• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (Aspect Ratio: 4:5)

Key Considerations

• Consistency: It’s important to keep the image sizes consistent throughout the carousel for a clean and professional look.
• Mixing Content: You can mix images and videos within the same carousel, but all images will adapt to the size of the first image selected.
• Maximum Slides: You can include up to 20 images or videos in a single carousel post.

Note: Keep the image sizes consistent throughout the carousel for a clean and professional look.

6. Instagram Ad Size

Using the right dimensions ensures your ads appear sharp, optimized, and professional across different placements, boosting engagement and brand visibility.

Feed Ad Size:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1080 pixels (Square), 1080 x 1350 pixels (Portrait), or 1080 x 566 pixels (Landscape)
• Aspect ratio: 1:1 (Square), 4:5 (Portrait), 1.91:1 (Landscape)

Story Ad Size:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• This is a full-screen, vertical ad format that works best on mobile.

Carousel Ad Size:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1080 pixels (Square)
• Aspect ratio: 1:1
• Number of Cards: 2 to 10
• Carousel ads allow multiple images or videos in a single post, each with the same dimensions.

Why It Works: Using the correct ad size ensures that your visuals appear crisp and optimized across Instagram’s different ad placements, improving engagement and maintaining a professional appearance. Proper sizing avoids cropping or pixelation that could negatively impact your brand’s image.

Instagram Video Sizes 2025

Instagram supports a range of video sizes and formats across different post types, including feed posts, stories, and reels. Each has its ideal dimensions for the best visual experience.

1. Feed Video Sizes

Feed videos are typically short (under a minute) and can be shared in different formats, similar to images.

Square Video (1:1 ratio)

• Size: 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Duration: 3-60 seconds
• Why it works: Balanced and optimal for general content.

Landscape Video (1.91:1 ratio)

• Size: 1080 x 608 pixels
• Duration: 3-60 seconds
• Why it works: Best for wide shots and cinematic content.

Portrait Video (4:5 ratio)

• Size: 1080 x 1350 pixels
• Duration: 3-60 seconds
• Why it works: More engaging on mobile, as it takes up more screen space.

2. Instagram Story Video Sizes

Since Instagram stories are typically viewed on mobile phones, it’s essential to upload video content in a vertical format.

Story Video Size (9:16 ratio)

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• Duration: 15 seconds per slide

Why it works: Full-screen, vertical video ensures an immersive experience for viewers.

3. Instagram Reels Sizes

Reels are Instagram’s answer to TikTok, and they are quickly becoming one of the most popular types of content on the platform. Videos that fit the recommended size will appear more polished and engaging.

Reels Video Size (9:16 ratio)

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• Duration: Up to 90 seconds

Why it works: The optimal format for Instagram’s full-screen, short-form video content.

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Instagram Image Sizes

When posting images on Instagram, there are several common mistakes to avoid to ensure your content looks professional and engaging. Here are the key pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Low-Resolution Images & Videos:

• Uploading low-quality images or videos that appear pixelated or blurry.
• Ensure high-quality uploads with images at least 1080px wide and videos with a minimum resolution of 1080p.

2. Ignoring Aspect Ratios:

• Not following the correct aspect ratio for posts, leads to cropping or distortion. So, Stick to proper aspect ratios:
  • Images: 1:1 for square, 4:5 for portrait, 1.91:1 for landscape.
  • Videos: 9:16 for Stories and Reels, 16:9 for landscape posts.

3. Overloading with Text:

• Using too much text on images or videos can be distracting and reduce engagement.
• Limit text, and ensure about 14% of the image or video frame is free from text or logos.

4. Neglecting Consistency:

• Using inconsistent image or video sizes leads to a disorganized and unprofessional-looking feed.
• Maintain consistency in the size, style, and format of all posts for a cohesive look.

5. Not Centering Key Elements:

• Important elements are cropped out in images or videos, especially in profile pictures or Stories.
• Center key elements to avoid accidental cropping, especially in profile photos or circular frames.

6. Uploading Unsupported Formats:

• Uploading unsupported file formats that cause upload errors.
• Use supported formats like JPG, PNG, and MP4 for images and videos, and avoid animated GIFs unless intended.

7. Failing to Optimize for Mobile:

• Uploading content is not optimized for mobile viewing, which is the primary platform for Instagram.
• Use vertical formats for Stories and Reels and ensure high-resolution content to make the most of mobile screens.

Summary

Choosing the right Instagram image and video sizes is crucial for a professional, engaging profile. Following the correct dimensions ensures your content looks great on all devices, boosts engagement, and maintains your account’s aesthetic. Stay updated with the latest size recommendations to keep your content fresh and eye-catching, whether posting images, stories, or reels.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the ideal Instagram post size for 2025?

The ideal Instagram post size for most content is 1080 x 1080 pixels for square posts, 1080 x 1350 pixels for portrait posts, and 1080 x 608 pixels for landscape posts.

2. Can I use different aspect ratios for Instagram Stories?

Yes, but the 9:16 aspect ratio is the best practice for Instagram Stories to fill the entire screen on mobile devices.

3. How can I prevent my Instagram photos from getting cropped?

Always use the recommended dimensions and aspect ratios for each type of post to avoid any unwanted cropping.

4. What is the ideal image size for Instagram advertisements?

For Instagram ads, the ideal image size is 1080 x 1080 pixels for square posts, 1080 x 1350 pixels for portrait ads, and 1080 x 608 pixels for landscape ads. This ensures that your ads look professional and consistent with organic posts, offering a seamless experience for users.

5. Can I use images with a size smaller than the recommended dimensions?

While it’s possible to upload smaller images, Instagram will resize them to fit its platform, which may result in pixelation or blurry visuals. To maintain high-quality images, it’s best to stick to the recommended size (at least 1080 pixels wide). Smaller images (less than 600px) will likely lose quality after Instagram’s compression.