The ultimate guide to Instagram post sizes and dimensions

The recommended Instagram post sizes are 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 portrait), 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 square) and 1080 x 566 pixels (1.91:1 landscape). Stories and Reels both use a full-screen 1080 x 1920 pixel frame at 9:16.

Getting the size right matters because Instagram compresses every upload and crops anything that misses its supported ratios. Picsart Flow and its ready-made workflows turn these numbers into posts that land sharp and uncropped.

IG post sizes for images

The Instagram post size in pixels is always 1080 wide, and only the height changes. Square feels balanced, portrait takes up the most feed space, and landscape suits wide, cinematic scenes.

The feed and the profile grid do not always show the whole frame, even at the right Instagram post dimensions. Instagram often trims the top or bottom of portrait and landscape posts, so keep your focal point centered. A carousel uses the same feed sizes, with one aspect ratio and one style across every slide so the story flows as people swipe.

A ready-made Flow workflow works like an Instagram post size template. The Create an Animated Social Media Carousel from a PDF workflow, for example, turns each page of a PDF into a 4:5 slide with the text preserved, so every slide shares one size.

Instagram post aspect ratios

The Instagram post ratio is the shape of the frame, written as width to height. Instagram automatically crops images that do not match a supported ratio, so pick one before you design.

• 4:5 portrait. Fills more of the feed and usually performs best.
• 1:1 square. Clean and predictable, but uses less vertical space.
• 1.91:1 landscape. Suits wide product shots and campaigns repurposed from other platforms, but shows smaller in the feed.
• 9:16 full-screen vertical. Powers Stories, Reels and vertical ads.

Match each Instagram post size ratio to the job. Vertical formats tend to outperform the rest because they dominate the screen.

IG post dimensions for videos

Instagram re-encodes video on upload, so export a high-bitrate MP4 (H.264) and avoid very dark footage, where compression amplifies noise. On-screen captions help viewers who watch without sound.

Instagram reels size

Reels export at 1080 x 1920 pixels, but the feed preview crops them to 4:5 and hides the top and bottom 285 pixels. Keep your subject and hook inside the central 1080 x 1350 zone, and keep text away from the bottom quarter and the right side, where captions and action buttons sit.

Your Reel cover shows at 9:16, 4:5 and 1:1, so place its focal point inside the 4:5 area. Trending audio, relevant hashtags and a strong hook in the first second improve your chances of appearing on the Explore page.

Instagram story sizes

The Instagram story dimensions are 1080 x 1920 pixels, and the Instagram story ratio is 9:16. Instagram lays its interface over the top and bottom of every Story, so keep text and key graphics at least 250 pixels from both edges. Place stickers and GIFs mid-frame or slightly above center.

For ad and profile picture safe zones, see the full Instagram sizes guide.

How to get Instagram post ratios right every time with Picsart's templates

The fastest way to land the right ratio is to set it before anything is generated. In the Instagram post maker, pick the ratio first, then run a ready-made workflow on the Picsart Flow canvas, where every step stays editable.

Step 1. Start your post

Pick a ready-made workflow from the Picsart Flow templates or start from an empty canvas, then add the image or logo the post is built around.

Step 2. Add your text

Put the headline or offer in the workflow's text field, or include it in your prompt along with the font style you have in mind. Ideogram 4.0 is a strong pick for readable headlines.

"4:5

A 4:5 portrait Instagram post for a small candle brand launch: a single amber glass candle on a linen-covered table beside a window, soft morning light, warm beige and cream palette, calm negative space in the upper third. Headline in a clean bold sans serif, centered in the upper third: "Slow Mornings Collection". A smaller line under it: "Out Friday". Keep the candle and all text inside the central area of the frame, away from the top and bottom edges. No other text, no logos, no watermarks.

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Step 3. Run the workflow

Choose a model and set the frame shape, for example 1:1 or 4:5, before you generate. Afterwards, Outpaint's aspect chips can turn a square result into a 4:5 feed version, or widen it out to 9:16 for a Story. Some workflows deliver every size at once, like the Create On-Brand Beverage Ads for Your Entire Lineup at Once workflow that returns 4:5, 9:16 and 1:1 ad creatives in one batch.

Step 4. Download or share

Save the finished image to your device, or send it directly to Instagram from the node that produced it.

The same aspect chips work on a photo you already have. Upload it to a blank Flow canvas and pick 1:1, 4:5 or 9:16. Outpainting extends the image beyond its original borders instead of cropping it, so the full picture fits the new frame.

Conclusion

The right Instagram post size is the starting point for a cohesive, professional-looking profile. Pair it with compelling visuals, engaging captions and consistent posting. Set the ratio first, then let a ready-made workflow handle the rest.