Instagram Dimensions: The Complete 2025 Guide for Perfect Visuals

In today’s visually-driven world, high-quality, correctly sized images and videos are essential to your Instagram success. Whether you’re a small business, creator, or marketer, using the right Instagram dimensions helps maintain your content’s visual integrity while maximizing engagement. If your photos or videos appear blurry, cropped, or distorted, it’s likely due to incorrect sizing—and you’re not alone. Many users unknowingly post the wrong formats, missing out on the full impact their posts could have. Don’t let that be you. This ultimate guide will walk you through every key image and video size on Instagram in 2024—from feed posts to Stories, Reels, and even ads—so your content always looks its best.

Why Instagram Dimensions Matter in 2025

Instagram is more than just a visual platform—it’s a branding powerhouse. With over 2 billion monthly users, making a great first impression is crucial. Incorrect dimensions can make posts look amateurish, reduce engagement, and may even trigger the algorithm to deprioritize your content.

Here’s why using correct Instagram dimensions is so crucial:

Visual consistency: Keeps your profile looking clean and professional.
User experience: Prevents awkward cropping or pixelation that disrupts storytelling.
Better engagement: Optimally sized posts perform better in the feed and Explore page.

Knowing and applying Instagram’s latest sizing rules is not optional—it’s an essential part of any visual strategy.

Instagram Post Sizes: Feed Image Dimensions

Instagram supports three main aspect ratios for feed images: square, portrait, and landscape. Here’s how to get them right:

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

Best Practice: Stick with portrait mode (1080 x 1350px) when possible. It takes up more vertical real estate and can lead to higher engagement.

Instagram Video Dimensions for Feed

Video content is thriving on Instagram, but only when it’s sized correctly. For feed posts, Instagram supports:

Square Video: 1080 x 1080 pixels
Portrait Video: 1080 x 1350 pixels
Landscape Video: 1080 x 566 pixels
Formats Supported: MP4, MOV
Maximum File Size: 4GB
Video Length: Up to 60 seconds

Tip: Use the 4:5 vertical format if your goal is to maximize screen space and user attention.

Instagram Stories Dimensions

Stories remain one of Instagram’s most powerful features for engagement. But poor formatting can lead to cut-off visuals or unwanted borders.

Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 9:16
Max File Size: Up to 30MB (images), 4GB (videos)
Format: JPG, PNG (images); MP4, MOV (videos)
Max Length per story: 15 seconds (video)

Pro Tip: Keep text and important elements within a “safe zone” (around 1080 x 1420 pixels) to avoid UI overlays like the reply bar or profile name.

Instagram Reels Dimensions

Instagram Reels are designed for full-screen mobile viewing, making size accuracy vital for impact. The preferred dimensions are identical to Stories:

Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 9:16
Length: Up to 90 seconds
Format: MP4, MOV

Note: Though Reels are vertically framed, captions and usernames will appear at the bottom, so ensure no vital visuals are in that area.

Instagram Profile Picture Dimensions

Your profile image may be small, but it’s a key element of your branding. Here are the correct dimensions:

Size: 320 x 320 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
File Type: PNG or JPG
Display Shape: Circular, though the image should be square to avoid cropping out vital content

Tip: Keep your logo or face centered, and avoid borders or text close to the edges.

Instagram Highlight Cover Dimensions

Instagram Highlights give Stories a permanent home on your profile. Make sure their cover images are professional and properly sized.

Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 9:16
Display Crop: Circle preview (make sure icons are centered)

Design Tip: Use icons or symbols that clearly communicate your categories like “Behind the Scenes,” “Tips,” or “Products.”

Instagram Carousel Post Dimensions

Carousel posts allow you to share multiple photos or videos in a single post. You can use square, portrait, or landscape formats, but be consistent throughout the carousel.

Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels
Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels

Tip: Carousels with portrait sizes typically drive more engagement since they occupy more feed space.

Instagram Ad Dimensions

For businesses running paid promotions, using accurate Instagram ad dimensions is crucial for return on investment.

Feed Ads

Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (Recommended)
Aspect Ratio: 1:1 or 4:5

Story Ads and Reels Ads

Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 9:16
Max File Size: 4GB
Format: MP4 or MOV

Best Practices:

Keep text under 20% of your visual for better performance.
Use vertical formats to adapt to mobile use behavior.