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The best Instagram post size in 2026 is 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5) for feed photos and carousels, and 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16) for Stories and Reels. Instagram's profile grid now shows posts as 3:4 rectangles, so a 1080 x 1440 (3:4) image shows on your grid without cropping. Upload at least 1080 pixels wide; Instagram shrinks anything larger.
Instagram sizes at a glance
| Format | Size (pixels) | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed post, portrait | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | The best default: takes the most room in the feed |
| Feed post, grid-friendly | 1080 x 1440 | 3:4 | Shows uncropped on the 3:4 profile grid |
| Feed post, square | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | Still supported |
| Feed post, landscape | 1080 x 566 | 1.91:1 | Smallest on a phone screen |
| Carousel slide | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | Every slide the same size; the first slide sets the ratio |
| Story | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Keep text 150 px from the top and 250 px from the bottom |
| Reel | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Same safe zones as Stories for text and captions |
| Profile picture | 320 x 320 or larger | 1:1 | Shown as a circle, so keep the face or logo centred |
Resize any image to these sizes in your browser with the free Instagram image resizer.
Instagram feed post size
Use 1080 x 1350 (4:5) for most photos. A portrait image fills more of the screen than a square one, which gives it more time in front of people as they scroll.
Instagram changed the profile grid from squares to 3:4 rectangles. A 4:5 post loses a little at the top and bottom on your grid (not in the feed), while a 1080 x 1440 (3:4) image shows whole. If your grid layout matters, for example for a portfolio or a shop, design at 3:4 and keep important details away from the very top and bottom.
Instagram carousel size
Use the same size for every slide, ideally 1080 x 1350. Instagram crops later slides to the ratio of the first slide, so a mix of shapes means some slides lose their edges.
Instagram Story size
Stories are 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16). Instagram's own buttons cover the top and bottom of the screen, so keep text and logos at least 150 pixels from the top and 250 pixels from the bottom.
Instagram Reel size
Reels are also 1080 x 1920 (9:16). The caption, buttons and audio label sit over the lower part of the video, so keep on-screen text in the middle of the frame. In the grid and the feed, Reels can show a cropped cover, so choose a cover where the subject sits in the centre.
How long can Instagram Reels be?
In 2026 most accounts can record Reels of up to 3 minutes in the Instagram camera; some accounts still see 90 seconds, and a longer limit is rolling out to some creator and business accounts. The length selector in the Reels camera shows your own limit. Instagram has raised this limit several times, so check it before you plan long videos.
Shorter usually works better: a Reel that people watch to the end and replay tends to reach more people than a long one they leave. See our Instagram Reels strategy for what to put in the first seconds.
Instagram profile picture size
Upload a square image of at least 320 x 320 pixels. It is shown as a small circle, so a close crop of a face or a simple logo works best.
Common sizing mistakes
- Uploading small images. Anything under 1080 pixels wide gets enlarged and looks soft.
- Mixing shapes in a carousel. Later slides get cropped to the first one.
- Text near the edges of Stories and Reels. Instagram's buttons cover it.
- Forgetting the grid. A 4:5 post is trimmed on the 3:4 grid; a 3:4 post is not.
Post at the right size, at the right time
PilotPost checks your image and video against Instagram's rules before it schedules a post, then publishes it at the time you choose. You can also plan Reels, carousels and Stories alongside your other networks in one calendar.
FAQ
What is the best Instagram post size in 2026?
1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5) for feed photos and carousels. Use 1080 x 1440 (3:4) if you want posts to show uncropped on your profile grid.
What size is an Instagram Story?
1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16). Keep text 150 px from the top and 250 px from the bottom.
What size is an Instagram Reel?
1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16), the same as a Story.
How long can an Instagram Reel be?
Up to 3 minutes for most accounts in 2026 when recorded in the app. Check the length selector in the Reels camera for your account's limit.
