Instagram Post Sizes and Dimensions (2026)
Getting Instagram post sizes right is the difference between a sharp, full-frame graphic and one that arrives cropped, compressed or pillarboxed. Instagram supports several formats, each with its own ideal pixel dimensions and aspect ratio, and uploading the wrong size means the platform crops or rescales your work for you, rarely well. This is the quick, current reference for every Instagram format in 2026: feed posts, Stories, Reels, carousels and profile photos, with exact pixels, ratios and safe zones.
This guide is part of the social cluster anchored by our complete social media design guide, which covers the design principles behind these dimensions.
Instagram Feed Post Sizes
Feed posts are the core of Instagram, and the platform supports three aspect ratios. The key thing to know: Instagram displays feed images at a maximum width, so taller (portrait) posts occupy more vertical screen space and tend to stand out more in the scroll.
| Format | Aspect ratio | Pixel dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait (recommended) | 4:5 | 1080 x 1350 |
| Square (classic) | 1:1 | 1080 x 1080 |
| Landscape | 1.91:1 | 1080 x 566 |
Portrait (4:5) at 1080 x 1350 px is the recommended feed format. It claims the most feed real estate without being cropped, which is why most brands and creators now default to it. Square still works and is the safe, classic choice; landscape is the least prominent because it occupies the least vertical space.
Instagram Stories and Reels Sizes
Stories and Reels are full-screen vertical formats, and they share the same dimensions:
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- Pixel dimensions: 1080 x 1920
Because these formats fill the screen and overlay interface elements, safe zones are critical. Keep all important content, text, faces, logos, within the central area:
- Leave roughly 250 px clear at the top (profile info, close button).
- Leave roughly 250–340 px clear at the bottom (caption, action buttons, the Reels interface, which is taller).
- Keep a margin on the sides so nothing critical sits at the very edge.
Reels in particular crowd the bottom of the screen with the caption, audio and action icons, so push key content into the upper-middle of the frame.
Instagram Carousel Sizes
Carousels are multi-image (or multi-video) posts of up to 10 (and in some cases 20) slides that users swipe through. They use the same dimensions as feed posts:
- Recommended: portrait 4:5 at 1080 x 1350 px for maximum screen space.
- Also supported: square 1:1 at 1080 x 1080 px.
The most important rule: use one consistent aspect ratio across every slide. Mixing square and portrait slides in a single carousel causes Instagram to crop them to match, breaking your layouts. Pick one ratio and design all slides to it. Carousels are one of the highest-engagement formats on the platform, and getting the structure right is covered in our broader social design guide.
Instagram Profile and Other Sizes
A few supporting dimensions round out a complete Instagram setup:
| Element | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Profile photo | 320 x 320 px | Displayed as a circle, keep content centered |
| Story (full) | 1080 x 1920 px | 9:16 vertical |
| Reel cover | 1080 x 1920 px | A frame from the Reel; design a clear cover |
| Feed portrait | 1080 x 1350 px | 4:5, the recommended default |
The profile photo is shown as a circle, so center your logo or face and avoid putting anything important near the corners, which get clipped. If you also post to other networks, our cross-platform reference on social media image sizes lists the equivalent dimensions for Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and more.
File Types and Quality Tips
Instagram compresses uploads, so a few habits keep your images as crisp as possible:
- Upload at 1080 px wide. Instagram displays feed images at up to 1080 px wide; uploading much larger triggers heavier compression, and uploading smaller forces upscaling and blur.
- Use PNG for graphics with text and flat color, it keeps edges crisp. Use JPG (high quality) for photographs.
- Keep file size reasonable, very large files get compressed harder; aim for well-optimized exports.
- Design at the exact target dimensions rather than relying on Instagram to crop, you control the framing instead of the algorithm.
Quick Reference: All Instagram Sizes in 2026
- Feed portrait (recommended): 1080 x 1350 px, 4:5
- Feed square: 1080 x 1080 px, 1:1
- Feed landscape: 1080 x 566 px, 1.91:1
- Stories / Reels: 1080 x 1920 px, 9:16
- Carousel: 1080 x 1350 px (or 1080 x 1080), one ratio throughout
- Profile photo: 320 x 320 px, shown as a circle
Bookmark these, design at the exact dimensions, respect the Stories and Reels safe zones, and Instagram will display your work the way you intended instead of cropping it on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Instagram post size in 2026?
Portrait at 1080 x 1350 px (a 4:5 aspect ratio) is the recommended feed post size. It occupies the most vertical space in the feed without being cropped, helping your content stand out as people scroll. Square (1080 x 1080) still works but takes up less screen space.
What size is an Instagram Story?
Instagram Stories are 1080 x 1920 px with a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio, the same as Reels. Keep important text and graphics in the central area, leaving roughly 250 px clear at the top and bottom so interface elements like the profile bar and action buttons do not cover your content.
What aspect ratio should an Instagram carousel be?
Use a single consistent aspect ratio across all carousel slides, ideally 4:5 portrait at 1080 x 1350 px for maximum screen space, or 1:1 square at 1080 x 1080 px. Mixing ratios within one carousel causes Instagram to crop slides to match, which breaks your slide layouts.
What size should an Instagram profile picture be?
Upload a profile photo at 320 x 320 px. It is displayed as a circle, so center your logo or face and keep important content away from the corners, which get clipped. A square source image at this size or larger ensures it stays sharp.
Why do my Instagram images look blurry?
Usually because the upload size does not match Instagram’s display width of 1080 px. Uploading smaller images forces upscaling, and uploading much larger ones triggers heavy compression. Export at exactly 1080 px wide, use PNG for text and graphics and high-quality JPG for photos, and keep file sizes well optimized.
