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Instagram is vertical-first. The grid now previews at 3:4 (1080×1440), but 4:5 (1080×1350) still wins for feed engagement. Stories/Reels are 9:16 (1080×1920). Keep text and faces away from edges and plan for UI overlays. Export sharp JPG/MP4—tiny type and over-compression blur fast.

Best Practices

  • Prefer 4:5 (1080×1350) for feed; 9:16 (1080×1920) for Stories/Reels.
  • Keep text and faces away from edges to avoid UI overlays.
  • Export high-resolution JPEG (photos) or MP4 H.264 (video).
  • Use high contrast; avoid tiny type that blurs after compression.
  • Check safe zones for grid crops and story controls.

Pro Tips

  • Design the first carousel slide like a thumbnail—bold hook and contrast.
  • Add subtle backgrounds/overlays to improve text legibility.
  • Test in dark mode backgrounds.
  • Aim for <5–8 words on-image; move details to the caption.
  • Make borders thick (≥8px) so they survive compression.

Visual Previews

Post 3:4 (New Grid Default)

3:4 · Image/Video

1080 x 1440 px

Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.

Post Portrait

4:5 · Image/Video

1080 x 1350 px

Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.

Post Square

1:1 · Image/Video

1080 x 1080 px

Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.

Post Landscape

1.91:1 · Image/Video

1080 x 566 px

Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.

Story

9:16 · Image/Video

250px
250px
1080 x 1920 px
Safe/overlay areas (from spec)

Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.

Reel

9:16 · Video

220px
320px
120px
60px
1080 x 1920 px
Safe/overlay areas (from spec)

Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.

Profile Pic

1:1 · Image

90px
0
90px
90px
1080 x 1080 px
Safe/overlay areas (from spec)

Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.

Sizes

Post 3:4 (New Grid Default)

Dimensions:
1080 x 1440 px
Aspect Ratio:
3:4
Format:
Image/Video

Post Portrait

Dimensions:
1080 x 1350 px
Aspect Ratio:
4:5
Format:
Image/Video

Post Square

Dimensions:
1080 x 1080 px
Aspect Ratio:
1:1
Format:
Image/Video

Post Landscape

Dimensions:
1080 x 566 px
Aspect Ratio:
1.91:1
Format:
Image/Video

Story

Dimensions:
1080 x 1920 px
Aspect Ratio:
9:16
Format:
Image/Video

Reel

Dimensions:
1080 x 1920 px
Aspect Ratio:
9:16
Format:
Video

Profile Pic

Dimensions:
1080 x 1080 px
Aspect Ratio:
1:1
Format:
Image

FAQ

What’s the best Instagram feed size in 2026?
The grid previews at 3:4 (1080×1440) as the new default, but 4:5 portrait (1080×1350) still wins for feed engagement because it occupies more vertical space without awkward crops.
Why do my Instagram uploads look blurry?
Usually due to compression. Export high-resolution files (JPG for photos, MP4 H.264 for video) at the native dimensions and avoid re-compressing exports.
What are the Instagram Story safe zones?
Keep key text and faces at least 250px away from the top and 250px from the bottom so stickers, captions, and reply bars don't cover them.
What size is an Instagram Reel?
1080×1920 px at 9:16. Protect about 220px from the top and 320px from the bottom, plus ~120px on the right side where the action buttons live.
Should I post square or portrait on Instagram?
Portrait 4:5 (1080×1350) outperforms square (1:1) in the feed for most accounts because it consumes more vertical space and keeps more of your image above the fold.
How do I avoid getting cropped on the Instagram grid?
Either design at 3:4 (1080×1440) to match the new grid default, or keep critical content inside a centered 1:1 area of your 4:5 upload so it survives the grid thumbnail crop.