A Complete Instagram Image Size Guide

Getting your images to look just right on Instagram is a big deal. It’s not only about the quality but also about the perfect fit.

Think of Instagram image sizes like choosing the right frame for your picture. Whether you’re going for a square, portrait, or landscape orientation, nailing the Instagram dimensions is key to making your profile stand out.

This quick size guide will show you the exact sizes for everything from your striking Instagram profile picture to eye-catching posts and Stories.

 Instagram Image Sizes at a Glance (2025)

Instagram’s image dimensions vary across content types, from profile pictures to Stories. Here’s a quick rundown of the size requirements for different image types:

Instagram Image Size and Aspect Ratio Explained

Instagram’s visual content thrives on two fundamental elements: image size and aspect ratio.

Instagram Image size: The image size, measured in pixels, defines the clarity and detail of your photo, with the standard being 1080 pixels wide for sharp, high-quality pictures. A larger pixel count means a clearer image. But remember, Instagram compresses images larger than 1080 pixels to fit its parameters, which can affect quality.

Instagram Image Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio, on the other hand, is the width and height of images represented as a ratio. It determines the shape of your photos and how they are displayed on your followers’ feeds.

Instagram supports a variety of aspect ratios, from the classic square (1:1 ratio), ideal for Instagram square posts, to the vertical (4:5 ratio) for portrait posts and the wide (1.91:1 ratio) for landscape orientations. The platform has also recently rolled out a new grid update that allows you to display posts in a 3:4 grid ratio.

The right Instagram post ratio ensures your image appears on the app as intended, without unwanted cropping.

1. Instagram Feed Post Sizes

Did you know that Instagram supports three types of feed posts?

These are square, portrait, horizontal, and grid of these posts.

Let us look at them to begin with.

Instagram Square Post Size

• Square image size: 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 1:1

New “taller” grid size: 1012.5 x 1350 pixels (3:4 aspect ratio)

The ideal size for square posts is 1080px by 1080px at a 1:1 aspect ratio. Although the new grid preview is taller, Instagram restricts content dimensions to a maximum width of 1080 pixels and a maximum height of 1350 pixels (4:5 ratio). For feed posts and carousels, it’s best to maintain the 4:5 ratio. For landscape posts, use an image that is 1080px by 566px, with an aspect ratio of 1.91:1.

Also, since many users have not received the update yet, they will still view your content previews as squares.

Square posts are versatile and work well for a variety of content, from close-up shots to graphical posts, making them a popular choice since Instagram’s early days.

To maintain clarity and ensure your images remain crisp after Instagram’s compression, the recommended Instagram square post size is 1080 x 1080 pixels.

And then, there is the second type of feed posts…

Instagram Portrait Post Size

• Ideal image size: 1080 x 1350 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:5 

Looking to upload an image on Instagram without necessarily having to crop it?

That is something you can do with portrait photographs.

Portrait posts allow for more vertical space, showcasing more detail in the imagery. With a 4:5 aspect ratio, this format is perfect for showcasing tall or vertical subjects for fashion photography, standing portraits, and detailed shots.

The optimal Instagram portrait dimensions are 1080 x 1350 pixels, offering a larger canvas to capture your audience’s attention as they scroll through the feed.

Instagram Landscape Post Size

• Ideal image size: 1080 x 566 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1 

Landscape posts offer a wider view, making them suitable for panoramic shots, group photos, or any content that benefits from a broader perspective. The recommended Instagram image size for landscape dimensions is 1080 x 566 pixels, adhering to a 1.91:1 aspect ratio.

This format gives a cinematic feel to your feed, though it’s worth noting that landscape posts may appear smaller in followers’ feeds due to their wider orientation.

2. Instagram Carousel Post Sizes

• Ideal Image size – 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
• Ideal Grid view – 1012 x 1350 pixels (3:4 aspect ratio)

Instagram carousel posts are a dynamic way to share multiple photos or videos in a single post. With the ability to upload up to 10 pieces of content, carousels let you tell a more complete story, whether it’s the progression of an event, various angles of a product, or a step-by-step guide.

For the longest time, Instagram sticked to a standard image size of 1080 x 1350 pixels for carousel posts, but it has recently introduced a taller 3:4 preview of 1012 x 1350 pixels for its profile grids.

The beauty of carousel posts lies in their versatility — they can be mixed as square, portrait, or landscape formats, though all images or videos after the first one will be cropped to match the aspect ratio.

This feature is perfect for when a single frame just isn’t enough to convey your message, allowing your followers to swipe through and engage with an extended narrative.

3. Instagram Profile Image Size

• Ideal profile picture size: 320 x 320 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 1:1 

Your Instagram profile picture is often the first point of contact with followers and helps you display your identity on the platform. For clarity and consistency across device types, the optimal Instagram photo size must be 320 x 320 pixels; it will be displayed as a circle with a diameter of 110 pixels in the feed.

4. Instagram Highlight Cover Image Size

• Highlight Cover Image Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16

When adding a cover image to your Instagram Highlights, make sure it’s clean, simple, and easy to recognize. Most users go for icons, minimal text, or branded visuals to keep their profile looking organized and cohesive.

Instagram crops highlight covers into a circle, so always center the main design to keep it visible. You can upload a custom image directly from your gallery, no need to post it to your Story first.

And, using well-designed covers not only boosts your aesthetic but also helps viewers quickly find the content they’re looking for!

5. Instagram Ad Image Sizes

Running ads on Instagram? Getting the size right is key—it helps your ad blend in naturally with regular posts and Stories, making users more likely to engage.

Instagram Feed Ad Size

• Square: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1)

• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)

Feed ads show up just like any other post, except with a subtle “Sponsored” tag. Square and portrait sizes work best since they take up more screen space and grab more attention. Want better clicks? Keep the visuals clean and pair them with a strong CTA (like “Shop Now” or “Learn More”).

Instagram Story Ad Image Size

• Full Screen: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)

Story ads appear between regular Stories and cover the entire screen, so you’ve got a few seconds to make a big impression. Use bold visuals, punchy text, and movement to catch viewers before they tap away.

6. Instagram Stories Image Sizes

• Ideal story image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 

Instagram Stories is another way to engage your audience and keep them posted with the latest updates. The recommended dimensions for Stories are 1080 x 1920 pixels, adhering to a 9:16 aspect ratio, perfect for mobile viewing.

Stories are perfect to give a behind-the-scenes (BTS) look at life and business, creating a personal connection with your audience.

7. Instagram Reel Size & Specifications

• Ideal reel image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)
• For Ideal Grid view: 1080 x 1440 pixels (3:4 aspect ratio)

Instagram Reels, a feature for creating short, engaging videos, has become a go-to content type to get quick entertainment. Like Stories, Instagram Reels have exact size specifications: 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio.

This ensures your Reels play smoothly on the entire screen of your audience’s mobile device, giving an immersive, high-quality viewing experience that can capture and retain viewer attention.

Keep in mind that if Reels are shared to the feed, they’ll be displayed in a 4:5 portrait crop, so center your content accordingly.

Resize Your Instagram Images Easily

Now that you know all the different Instagram image sizes, you can effectively optimize your social media campaigns.

But if you encounter any trouble while resizing your Instagram images, you can use SocialPilot to crop your images without hassle.

While uploading an image, the tool notifies you if the image dimensions are incorrect and also assists you in choosing the correct dimensions. Using the built-in image editor, you can crop your image dimensions and aspect ratio according to the post types.

You can also stylize your images by adding filters, stickers, and CTAs to make them more engaging. And once everything is done, you can schedule your posts for the correct date and time.

Reach more potential customers and leave a lasting impression with your Instagram content campaigns.

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it. There’s no doubt that optimizing your Instagram image sizes is essential for creating engaging content.

Consistency and attention to detail in your image sizing can help you reach a wider audience and make a lasting impression. So, remember to use the recommended Instagram dimensions for each post type and have your visuals stand out on the platform – as simple as that!

Are you set to optimize your Instagram feed?