Instagram Image Sizes Guide (2026)

Instagram Post Size (1080 x 1080)

The classic square post remains the most recognizable Instagram format. The recommended resolution is 1080 x 1080 pixels. Instagram supports aspect ratios from 1.91:1 (landscape) to 4:5 (portrait), but square posts display the largest in the feed grid. Always export at 1080px wide minimum to avoid upscaling artifacts. Use PNG for graphics with text and JPEG for photographs to balance quality and file size.

Instagram Portrait Post (1080 x 1350)

Portrait posts at 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 ratio) take up more vertical screen space in the feed, which can increase engagement. This format works well for product shots, infographics, and any content where you want maximum visual impact while scrolling. The extra height gives you roughly 25% more visible area compared to a square post.

Instagram Story Size (1080 x 1920)

Stories use a full-screen vertical format at 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 ratio). Keep important content within the center 1080 x 1420 area to avoid overlap with the username bar at the top and the reply bar at the bottom. Stories are displayed for 15 seconds per slide, so make text large and readable at a glance.

Instagram Reel Cover (1080 x 1920)

Reel covers share the same 1080 x 1920 resolution as stories. However, the cover thumbnail appears cropped to a 1080 x 1350 area in your profile grid. Design your cover with the key visual centered in the middle portion so it looks good both full-screen and as a grid thumbnail.

Instagram Profile Picture (320 x 320)

Profile photos display as a circle at 320 x 320 pixels. Upload a square image and ensure your subject is centered with some padding around the edges since the circular crop will cut the corners. Logos should be simplified and high-contrast to remain recognizable at small sizes.

Instagram Carousel (1080 x 1080 or 1080 x 1350)

Carousels support up to 10 slides. All slides in a single carousel must use the same aspect ratio. The most common choices are square (1080 x 1080) or portrait (1080 x 1350). Carousels consistently receive higher engagement than single-image posts because users swipe through them, increasing time spent on your content.

Tips for Best Quality

Export images at 2x resolution when possible and let Instagram handle the downscaling for sharper results on high-density screens. Use sRGB color space for consistent color rendering. Avoid heavy text overlays on photos since Instagram's compression can make small text blurry. Test your images on both Android and iOS before publishing important content.

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