Instagram 2026 Size Guide: Post, Reels, Stories, Carousel and Profile Photo

In 2026 the core Instagram sizes are: posts at 1080×1350 px (4:5) or 1080×1440 px (3:4), squares at 1080×1080 px, Reels and Stories at 1080×1920 px (9:16), and a square profile photo of at least 320×320 px (upload 1080×1080). Width is always 1080 px. Since early 2025 the profile grid shows previews vertically at 3:4, so keep the important parts of your image near the center.

Instagram 2026 post size

• 3:4 grid portrait — 1080×1440 px. Shows in the profile grid without cropping.
• Classic 4:5 portrait — 1080×1350 px. Takes up the most space in the feed and remains the most versatile option.
• Square 1:1 — 1080×1080 px.
• Landscape 1.91:1 — 1080×566 px. Looks small in the feed, so use it only when necessary.

Use JPG or PNG. If a file is wider than 1080 px, Instagram scales it down and compresses it, so export at the right size from the start.

The 3:4 vertical profile grid: what changed

Profile previews used to be square; since early 2025 they are vertical at 3:4. In practice:

• a 3:4 post shows in the grid in full;
• a 4:5 post is trimmed slightly at the sides (about 3% on each side);
• a square loses a noticeable part at the sides — text near the edges gets cut;
• after posting you can shift the preview: three dots → Adjust preview (the item name may vary by app version).

The 2026 rule: design in 4:5 or 3:4 and keep headlines and faces in the central part of the frame.

Instagram Reels size and Reels cover size

• Video: 1080×1920 px, 9:16.
• Length: up to 3 minutes as standard; since summer 2025 some accounts can post Reels up to 20 minutes, but the limit depends on the account. According to analysts, clips over 3 minutes are noticeably less likely to be recommended to non-followers.
• Cover: 1080×1920 px; the profile grid shows the central 3:4 area (about 1080×1440), so center the cover text.
• Safe zones: according to guides, keep text out of the top ~250 px (username and avatar), the bottom ~350 px (caption, music) and the right ~120 px (like and comment buttons).

The right size is only part of a clip's success. If you are growing an account and a new Reel needs a start, you can add the first Reels views from $0.09 per 1,000, no password needed. Do it in moderation: Instagram's rules are aimed against artificial activity, and a starting push only works together with a strong opening. How to film that opening is covered in how to make Reels from scratch.

Instagram Stories size

• Size: 1080×1920 px, 9:16 — for both photos and videos.
• Length: up to 60 seconds per segment; longer videos are split into several stories.
• Safe zones: leave roughly 150 px at the top and 250 px at the bottom — that is where the account name and reply field sit.

Carousel and profile photo size

• Carousel: up to 20 photos or videos. All slides take the aspect ratio of the first one, so keep them identical — 1080×1350 px works best. Slide ideas are in how to create an Instagram carousel.
• Profile photo: a square of at least 320×320 px; upload 1080×1080 px. It displays as a circle, so the corners are cut — center your face or logo.

What video format and file size Instagram needs

• Format: MP4 (or MOV), H.264 codec, AAC audio.
• Frame rate: 30 fps is the most predictable choice.
• Bitrate: according to guides, 3.5–5 Mbps for 1080p.
• File size: according to guides, up to 4 GB; in practice short Reels weigh tens of megabytes.

If a clip still looks blurry with the right dimensions, check the high-quality upload setting — see why Instagram ruins quality.