What aspect ratio does Instagram use?

Supported Aspect Ratios:

• 1:1 (Square): 1080 x 1080 pixels - Classic Instagram format
• 4:5 (Portrait): 1080 x 1350 pixels - Maximum vertical space
• 1.91:1 (Landscape): 1080 x 566 pixels - Widest allowed

Most Popular:

• 4:5 (Portrait): Takes up most screen space on mobile
• Recommended resolution: 1080 x 1350 pixels
• Best for engagement and visibility

1:1 (Square) - The Classic:

• Original Instagram format
• Resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Still widely used
• Safe choice, always works
• Equal visibility in all orientations

4:5 (Portrait) - Most Popular:

• Resolution: 1080 x 1350 pixels
• Taller format
• Takes up more mobile screen real estate
• Better engagement than square
• Recommended by Instagram

1.91:1 (Landscape) - Widest Allowed:

• Resolution: 1080 x 566 pixels
• Horizontal format
• Smallest on mobile feeds
• Better for desktop viewing
• Less popular for engagement

Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical)

Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Full-screen: Vertical mobile format

Time Limit: 15 seconds per story segment

Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical)

Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Orientation: Vertical only

Maximum Length: 90 seconds (or 15/30/60 second options)

Aspect Ratios Supported:

• 9:16 (Vertical): 1080 x 1920 pixels - Recommended
• 16:9 (Horizontal): 1920 x 1080 pixels - Also supported

Aspect Ratios: Same as regular feed posts

• 1:1 (1080 x 1080)
• 4:5 (1080 x 1350)
• 1.91:1 (1080 x 566)

Mobile Screen Real Estate:

• 4:5 takes up ~30% more screen than 1:1
• More visible = better engagement
• Taller posts get more attention
• Less scrolling needed to see full image

Algorithm Impact:

• Engagement affects visibility
• Larger posts often get more engagement
• Better initial impression
• More stopping power in feed

Professional Appearance:

• Consistent ratios look polished
• Matching ratios in carousels
• Proper composition
• No awkward crops

Product Photography:

• ✅Use 4:5: Shows product + context
• ✅Vertical composition: Room for product and branding
• ✅Consistent across posts: Professional brand look

Portraits:

• ✅Use 4:5: More room for full-body shots
• ✅Vertical orientation: Natural for human subjects
• ✅Better mobile viewing: Fills screen nicely

Landscapes:

• ✅1.91:1 or 1:1: Horizontal scenes work better
• ✅Panoramas: Wider ratios when necessary
• ✅Consider cropping to 4:5: For better feed visibility

Food Photography:

• ✅1:1 or 4:5: Both work well
• ✅Overhead shots: Square often perfect
• ✅Styled scenes: 4:5 gives more context

Infographics:

• ✅4:5 recommended: More reading space
• ✅Vertical layout: Natural scroll direction
• ✅Carousels for long content: Multiple 4:5 slides

2010-2015: Only 1:1 (square)

2015: Landscape and portrait added

2016: Stories launched (9:16)

2018: IGTV added (9:16 and 16:9)

2020: Reels launched (9:16)

Feed Posts:

• Minimum width: 320 pixels
• Maximum width: 1080 pixels
• Instagram will downscale larger images
• Maintains aspect ratio when scaling
• JPG or PNG format

Stories/Reels:

• Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• 9:16 aspect ratio
• Full-screen vertical
• Video or image
• 15-90 seconds (Reels)

File Size:

• Maximum 30MB for images
• Maximum 4GB for videos
• Compressed automatically
• High quality recommended

• ❌Mixing Ratios in Carousels: Causes awkward cropping
• ❌Using 16:9 for Feed: Too small on mobile
• ❌Horizontal for Portraits: Wastes vertical space
• ❌Wrong Story Size: Gets cropped awkwardly
• ❌Too Much Text Near Edges: May be cut off

Feed (Portrait): 1080 x 1350 (4:5) - Recommended

Feed (Square): 1080 x 1080 (1:1)

Feed (Landscape): 1080 x 566 (1.91:1)

Stories: 1080 x 1920 (9:16)

Reels: 1080 x 1920 (9:16)

Profile Picture: 320 x 320 (1:1)

When to use 1:1 (Square):

• Classic Instagram aesthetic
• Logo or brand posts
• Symmetrical compositions
• Overhead shots
• Safe, always works

When to use 4:5 (Portrait):

• Maximum visibility (recommended)
• Product photos with context
• Portrait photography
• Infographics
• Most content types

When to use 1.91:1 (Landscape):

• Horizontal landscapes
• Panoramic views
• Desktop-first content
• When width is essential

When to use 9:16 (Vertical):

• Stories
• Reels
• Full-screen mobile content
• Video content
• Immersive experiences

Shoot Wider Than Final:

• Leave room for cropping
• Different ratios for different platforms
• Flexibility in post-production
• Safe zones for important content

4:5 to Other Ratios:

• Crop to 1:1: Lose top and bottom
• Crop to 9:16 (Stories): Add background or extend
• Crop to 16:9: Significant vertical crop

Instagram + TikTok/YouTube Shorts:

• Shoot 9:16 for Stories/Reels
• Crop to 4:5 for feed posts

Instagram + YouTube:

• Shoot 16:9 for YouTube
• Crop to 4:5 for Instagram feed
• Use full 9:16 for Reels/Stories

Instagram + Pinterest:

• Shoot 2:3 for Pinterest
• Crop to 4:5 for Instagram
• Similar vertical orientations

For Maximum Engagement:

1. Use 4:5 for feed posts (takes up most screen)
2. Use 9:16 for Reels (full-screen mobile)
3. Keep important elements centered (safe from cropping)
4. Test different ratios (see what performs best)
5. Stay consistent (professional brand appearance)

For Photography:

• Shoot in native camera ratio (often 3:2 or 4:3)
• Crop to 4:5 or 1:1 for Instagram
• Keep Instagram format in mind when composing
• Leave breathing room for crops

For Video:

• 9:16 is king on Instagram now
• Vertical video performs better
• Reels and Stories are priority
• Feed videos can be 1:1 or 4:5

• ✅Feed: Primarily 4:5 (maximum visibility)
• ✅Stories: 9:16 daily engagement
• ✅Reels: 9:16 for reach and discovery
• ✅Carousels: Consistent 4:5 across all slides
• ✅Profile: Cohesive grid appearance

Instagram continues moving toward:

• Vertical-first content (9:16)
• Video over photos (Reels priority)
• Full-screen experiences (immersive)
• Mobile-optimized (vertical formats)