ig post size

In the ever-evolving world of social media, making your message stand out means more than just clever captions and filters. The design, layout, and especially the **IG post size** you choose significantly impact how your post performs. Whether you’re a marketer, content creator, or small business owner, understanding the best Instagram post sizes can ensure your content appears crisp, professional, and engaging across all devices. This guide will break down everything you need to know — from square posts to stories and reels. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what size works best and how to leverage these dimensions to improve reach and engagement.

What is the Ideal IG Post Size in 2024?

Before you start designing your next Instagram campaign, it’s important to know that different content formats on IG require different size specifications. Using the wrong dimensions can lead to blurry images, awkward cropping, or message cuts — all of which diminish your post’s impact. Here’s a breakdown of the optimal sizes:

1. Standard Instagram Post Sizes

  • Square Post: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
  • Portrait Post: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
  • Landscape Post: 1080 x 566 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)

The most commonly used size is the **square post**, especially because it looks uniform across feeds. However, the **portrait IG post size** often draws more attention since it takes up more real estate on a mobile screen.

2. Instagram Stories Post Size

  • Ideal dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)

Instagram Stories dominate user engagement. Using the full screen with the correct **ig story post size** will help convey your message more effectively without borders or pixelation.

3. Instagram Reels & IGTV Video Size

  • Recommended: 1080 x 1920 pixels, same as stories

Reels and longer IGTV content follow similar vertical formats, making the **IG reel post size** identical to story dimensions. Always keep your subject framed centrally to avoid cropping.

Why IG Post Size Matters More Than Ever

Choosing the right **IG post size** isn’t just about aesthetic — it’s about performance. Here’s why:

  • Better visibility: Portraits occupy more screen space, catching viewer attention quickly.
  • Avoid cropping issues: Incorrect sizes often get clipped or resized, losing important visual elements.
  • Higher engagement: Crisp, professional posts encourage likes, shares, and comments.

In a world where design equals trust, low-quality or badly sized posts can hurt your credibility. Consistency is key, especially if you’re using tools like ViralPulseAI to schedule and optimize posts automatically.

IG Post Size Guide by Content Type

Let’s walk through each major type of Instagram content and the specifications you should follow:

1. IG Feed (Square, Portrait, Landscape)

Square Feed

  • Best for: Neutral aesthetic, product displays, quotes.
  • Size: 1080 x 1080 px

Portrait Feed

  • Best for: Fashion posts, selfies, infographics.
  • Size: 1080 x 1350 px

Landscape Feed

  • Best for: Travel, nature, and wide scenes.
  • Size: 1080 x 566 px

2. IG Carousel Post Size

Carousel posts follow the same aspect ratio rules based on the first image/video uploaded. Ensure consistency across all slides:

  • Square: 1080 x 1080 px
  • Portrait: 1080 x 1350 px
  • Landscape: 1080 x 566 px

Add a call-to-action slide at the end to boost interaction. Don’t forget to preview your carousel on mobile before posting.

3. IG Stories Size

Post to your story with confidence by following the format below:

  • Recommended: 1080 x 1920 px
  • Safe zone: Keep text and key visuals within 250 pixels from the top and bottom
  • File types: JPG, PNG for images; MP4 or MOV for video

Using **ViralPulseAI** makes scheduling and designing optimized IG story content seamless.

4. IG Reels Size

Short-form vertical video is king. Here’s what to know:

  • Size: 1080 x 1920 px
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16
  • Preferred length: 15 – 90 seconds

Reels often preview in square format on your profile grid. Keep essential elements centered to avoid cropping.

5. IGTV and Instagram Live

  • IGTV: Same as reels (9:16), but longer format
  • Instagram Live: Real-time video; vertical orientation

Tip: When repurposing Live content for future Reels or IGTV, crop carefully to match post dimensions.

Design & Compression Tips for Correct IG Post Size

Even if your post follows the right dimensions, poor quality from compression or incorrect file type can still ruin it. Here’s how to keep your visuals sharp:

1. Use the Right File Format

  • Images: JPG for photos, PNG for transparent graphics or logos
  • Videos: MP4 (H.264 codec preferred)

2. Mind the Maximum File Size

  • Image size limit: 30MB
  • Video size limit: 4GB

Use image compression tools before uploading to prevent Instagram from doing it for you and damaging your image clarity.

3. Keep Text Within “Safe” Zones

The text, titles, and CTAs in your design should not go all the way to the edges. Always keep a margin of at least 200-250 pixels vertically and 100-150 pixels horizontally.

How IG Post Size Impacts Engagement

If you’re still not convinced that **IG post size** matters, here’s what the data shows:

  • Portrait posts (4:5) tend to receive more likes and comments because they occupy more screen space.
  • High-resolution posts are more likely to be shared and saved by users.
  • Proper sizing keeps your **brand identity** consistent, increasing trust over time.

If you’re creating posts for a campaign or launch, ensure they all follow a consistent sizing pattern. This enhances brand recognition and flow.

Optimize Your IG Post Size with ViralPulseAI

Let’s be honest — who wants to manually resize and reformat every single Instagram post? That’s where ViralPulseAI comes in. This tool can help you:

  • Auto-resize content across different IG formats
  • Preview posts on both mobile and desktop
  • Analyze engagement rates by post size
  • Schedule directly optimized for best times

With ViralPulseAI, you focus on creativity — we handle the dimensions.