Instagram Image Size Guide (Feed, Stories, Reels)

Instagram Image Size Guide: Perfect Feed, Stories & Reels

💡TL;DR

Instagram Image Size essentials:

📏 Feed Posts: 1080px x 1350px (4:5 ratio) for full visibility
📱 Stories: 1080px x 1920px (9:16) with 14% top/bottom safe zones
🎬 Reels: 1080px x 1920px (9:16) – same as Stories but 3-90 sec length
🖼️ Profile Pic: 320px x 320px (displays at 110px circle)

Pro Tip: Use Proolance to schedule all your Instagram & other social media posts

Why Your Stunning Photos Look Blurry on Instagram (And How to Fix It Forever)

You spent hours capturing the perfect sunset. Edited it to perfection. Posted to Instagram…

Only to watch it get cropped awkwardly and lose all its magic.

That gut punch? Over 51% of Instagram users experience it because they used the wrong image dimensions.

Here’s the hard truth:

Instagram doesn’t just passively display your content – it actively punishes improperly sized media with:

42% less reach (algorithm demotes pixelated content)
23% fewer profile visits (users perceive low quality as unprofessional)
57% drop in engagement on Stories with cut-off text

But here’s the good news: use this foolproof guide to say goodbye to cropped heads and blurry Reels forever!

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Why Instagram Image Size Matters More Than Filters

Instagram isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Each format has specific dimensions because:

Algorithm rewards quality: Crisp, properly sized images get 3x more explore page reach
User experience: Correctly framed content keeps viewers engaged 37% longer
Brand perception: Consistent sizing signals professionalism (71% trust boost)

Instagram Feed Image Size: The Complete Breakdown

Your feed is your digital storefront. Optimize every element:

Single Image Posts (Most Engagement)

Ideal Size: 1080px x 1350px (4:5 aspect ratio)
Why: Maximizes screen real estate on mobile
File Type: JPG (80% quality) or PNG (for graphics)
Pro Tip: Stay under 8MB to avoid compression

Carousel Posts (Higher Conversion)

Ideal Size: 1080px x 1350px (consistent across all slides)
Critical: Maintain same ratio for smooth swiping
Design Hack: Leave 140px top/bottom padding for text safety

Landscape Photos (Use Sparingly)

Ideal Size: 1080px x 608px (1.91:1 ratio)
Warning: Appears small in feeds – add bold text overlay
When to Use: Panoramic shots or desktop-focused brands

Instagram Stories Size: Avoid the Cut-Off Curse

Stories disappear after 24 hours, but mistakes live forever in screenshots:

Safe Zone Template

Dimensions: 1080px x 1920px (9:16)
Text Safe Area: Center 1080x1334px zone (14% padding top/bottom)
Interactive Elements: Position polls/quizzes in center 70%
File Size: Under 4MB for fastest loading

Critical Mistake: Using 1080×1350 feed images in Stories – gets cropped awkwardly

Instagram Reels Size: The 2024 Update

Reels have identical dimensions to Stories but different rules:

Dimensions: 1080px x 1920px (9:16)
Minimum Length: 3 seconds
Maximum Length: 90 seconds
Audio: 48kHz sample rate for best quality
Text Placement: Keep within center 80% (avoid bottom 15% where captions appear)

Proven Optimization:

First 3 frames should work as static image (appears in previews)
Export at 30-60fps for smooth playback

Instagram Image Size Comparison Cheat Sheet

Format	Dimensions (Pixels)	Aspect Ratio	Max File Size	Key Optimization Tip
Feed Square	1080 x 1080	1:1	8MB	Use PNG for text/graphics
Feed Portrait	1080 x 1350	4:5	8MB	Best engagement – use most often
Feed Landscape	1080 x 608	1.91:1	8MB	Add 20% top/bottom color blocks
Stories	1080 x 1920	9:16	4MB	14% safe zone padding
Reels	1080 x 1920	9:16	4MB	First 3 frames = static hook
Profile Pic	320 x 320	1:1	2MB	Focus on face in center circle
Cover Photo	1080 x 1920	9:16	4MB	Design for 3-frame animation

4 Tools That Fix Sizing Automatically

Canva Magic Resize: Free template adjustments
Adobe Express: AI background extension for ratio changes
Kapwing Smart Crop: Intelligently reframes images
Instasize: One-touch format optimization

Once you fixed your images size, it’s time for you to schedule your instagram images with Proolance

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5 Costly Instagram Size Mistakes (And Fixes)

Mistake 1: Using 1:1 square for feed posts

Fix: Switch to 4:5 portrait – 37% more reach

Mistake 2: Ignoring Story safe zones

Fix: Use Instagram’s built-in template (Create → Layout)

Mistake 3: Uploading vertical Reels as Stories

Fix: Always export Reels separately at 1080×1920

Mistake 4: Giant profile pictures

Fix: 320×320 is ideal – larger files get compressed

Mistake 5: Landscape images in carousels

Fix: Stick with consistent 4:5 or 1:1 ratios

Pro Optimization Secrets

The 1080px Rule: Always scale to 1080px on the longest side
RGB > CMYK: Instagram displays RGB color – convert before posting
Compression Test: Zoom to 200% before posting – if blurry, reduce file size
Animation Bonus: GIFs: 720px max width with under 15MB size

Brand Hack: Create custom templates in your brand colors for:

Quote posts
Testimonial slides
Educational carousels

Your Weapon to Excecute Your Instagram Content Strategy

Manually posting everyday on Instagram can take you 8+ hours/week – time solopreneurs don’t have.

That’s where Proolance transforms your workflow:

Unlimited Scheduling: All platforms, $20/month flat (no per-post fees)
Batch Schedule: Schedule an entire week’s worth of content in just 1 session.
Optimal Timing Recommendations: Get insights on when your followers are most active in your timezone

Final Tip: Consistency Beats Perfection

As Instagram expert Sue B. Zimmerman advises:

“Better to post good content consistently than perfect content rarely.”

Start implementing one size fix today.

FAQs:

Q: Can I use same image for Feed and Stories?
A: Yes – but crop to 9:16 first to avoid awkward framing.
Q: What’s the best format for text-heavy posts?
A: 1080×1350 PNGs with 120px margins.
Q: Do sizes differ for Instagram ads?
A: Yes – use 1200×628 for carousel ads.