The current standard Instagram post size is 1080 by 1350 pixels

Instagram's recommended dimensions for a single photo post are 1080 pixels wide by 1350 pixels tall. This is the size that displays best on phones and tablets without cropping or distortion. If you upload an image smaller than this, Instagram will stretch it. If you upload one larger, Instagram will compress it down.

The 1080 by 1350 dimension works for both portrait (tall) and landscape (wide) photos, though portrait fills more of a phone screen. Instagram accepts images up to 1920 pixels on the longest side, but anything larger than 1080 wide will be compressed, so there is no benefit to uploading bigger files.

The aspect ratio that matters most is roughly 4:5 (four units wide for every five units tall). This is why 1080 by 1350 works — it maintains that proportion. If your photo is a different shape, Instagram will add white or black bars around it rather than crop your image.

Key Takeaways

  • Upload single photos at 1080 by 1350 pixels to avoid compression or stretching on phones and tablets.
  • Instagram accepts images up to 1920 pixels on the longest side, but compresses anything larger than 1080 wide.
  • Carousel posts (multiple images in one post) should be 1080 by 1350 pixels per image, and all images in the carousel should be the same size.
  • Stories use a different size — 1080 by 1920 pixels — which is taller and narrower than feed posts.
  • Reels and video posts have their own dimensions separate from static photo posts.

Carousel posts and collections of images

When you upload multiple photos in a single carousel post, each image should be 1080 by 1350 pixels — the same size as a single photo post. Instagram will display them one at a time as the user swipes through, and keeping them all the same size prevents awkward jumps or resizing between images.

If your carousel images are different sizes, Instagram will still display them, but some may appear zoomed in or with white space around them. Users notice this and it looks unpolished. The easiest approach is to resize all your images to 1080 by 1350 before uploading them as a set.

Stories use taller, narrower dimensions

Instagram Stories are not the same size as feed posts. Stories should be 1080 by 1920 pixels — much taller and narrower, designed to fill a phone screen from top to bottom. This is why a photo that looks good in your feed will look small and centered in a Story.

Stories also disappear after 24 hours, and they appear in a different section of the app than feed posts. If you want the same image in both places, you will need to upload it twice with different dimensions, or use a tool that resizes automatically.

Reels and video posts have different requirements

Reels — short videos that appear in the Reels feed — should be 1080 by 1920 pixels, the same tall, narrow format as Stories. Regular video posts in your feed can be 1080 by 1350 (like photo posts) or 1080 by 1920 (like Reels), depending on whether you want them to fill the screen or sit in the standard feed layout.

Video files should be in MP4 or MOV format, and Instagram recommends keeping file size under 4 GB. The frame rate should be 23 to 60 frames per second. If your video is a different aspect ratio, Instagram will add bars around it rather than crop it.

What happens when you upload the wrong size

If you upload an image smaller than 1080 by 1350, Instagram stretches it to fit, which makes it look blurry or pixelated. If you upload one larger, Instagram compresses it down, which can make fine details hard to see on a phone screen. Neither ruins the post, but both reduce image quality.

If your image is a different shape — say, a square or a very wide landscape — Instagram adds white or black bars around it to maintain the original proportions. This is better than cropping, but it means less of your image appears on screen. You can avoid this by cropping or resizing your image before upload.

Tools and apps for resizing images

You do not need expensive software to resize images. Free online tools like Canva, Pixlr, and Photopea let you upload an image, select "Instagram Post" from a template menu, and read the resized version. Canva also includes design templates if you want to add text or graphics.

On a phone, apps like Unfold and Adobe Express let you resize and design posts directly in the app before uploading to Instagram. On a computer, even basic tools like Windows Photos or Mac Preview can crop and resize, though they require more manual steps.

If you use a scheduling app like Buffer or Later to plan posts in advance, many of these apps will resize images automatically when you upload them, so you do not have to resize manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload a square photo to Instagram?

Yes. A square photo (1080 by 1080 pixels) will display with white or black bars on the sides, since Instagram's standard feed format is taller than it is wide. The image itself will not be cropped, but it will take up less screen space than a portrait-oriented photo.

What size should my profile picture be?

Profile pictures should be at least 110 by 110 pixels, though Instagram recommends 320 by 320 pixels for the clearest display. Profile pictures are square, so width and height should be equal.

Do I need to resize images before uploading, or can Instagram do it?

Instagram will resize images automatically, but resizing before upload gives you control over how the image looks. If you resize in advance, you can see exactly what will appear on screen and avoid unwanted cropping or stretching.

Why does my image look blurry after I upload it?

This usually happens when the original image is smaller than 1080 by 1350 pixels. Instagram stretches small images to fit the standard size, which makes them look pixelated. Upload the largest version of the image you have, or use a tool to enlarge it before uploading.

Are the dimensions different on desktop versus mobile?

The dimensions are the same, but the display is different. On a phone, images fill more of the screen. On a desktop browser, Instagram shows a narrower feed with more white space around posts. The 1080 by 1350 size works well on both, though it will look smaller on a desktop screen.