Image formats for Instagram
Instagram image size: every format in pixels
Instagram crops photos that don’t fit, rescales them and compresses them again. If you save your images in the right shape and size beforehand, you stay in control of framing and sharpness. Here are all the dimensions at a glance – and how to apply them quickly.
Start right away: the Image Workshop is already set to Instagram portrait – 4 : 5, 1080 × 1350 pixels, JPG. Adjust the crop with a click. Free and without upload.
Crop photos for InstagramAll Instagram formats at a glance
| For | Aspect ratio | Pixels |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait post (recommended) | 4 : 5 | 1080 × 1350 |
| Portrait post, grid format | 3 : 4 | 1080 × 1440 |
| Square post | 1 : 1 | 1080 × 1080 |
| Landscape post | 1.91 : 1 | 1080 × 566 |
| Story, Reel, Reel cover | 9 : 16 | 1080 × 1920 |
| Profile picture | 1 : 1 (shown as a circle) | at least 320 × 320 |
The width is almost always 1080 pixels. According to Instagram’s help center, wider photos are scaled down to 1080 pixels and narrower ones below 320 pixels are enlarged. More than 1080 pixels of width therefore adds no sharpness.
Which format is best?
- 4 : 5 portrait takes up the most space in the mobile feed and stands out the most. It’s the best choice for most photos.
- 3 : 4 is the shape in which Instagram has shown thumbnails in the profile grid since 2025. Posts in 4 : 5 or 1 : 1 are cropped to the center there. For a tidy profile grid, choose 3 : 4 or keep important content in the middle.
- 1 : 1 is safe when a subject has no clear portrait or landscape orientation, and suits graphics and product shots.
- Landscape looks small in the feed. Split landscapes or panoramas into a 4 : 5 carousel instead.
Carousels: Every image in a carousel takes the shape of the first one. Crop all photos to the same aspect ratio beforehand – the Image Workshop does that for all images at once.
Ten holiday photos, all 4 : 5 at 1080 × 1350 pixels, ready for a carousel – in a minute.
Step by step to the right image
- Load photos. Drag all images for the post into the Image Workshop, including iPhone HEIC.
- Choose the aspect ratio. 4 : 5 is preset under “Crop”. For Stories and Reel covers use “9 : 16”, for square posts “1 : 1 – square”, for landscape “Custom ratio …” with 191 : 100.
- Set the size. Under “Size”, set the longest side: 1350 px for 4 : 5, 1440 px for 3 : 4, 1080 px for 1 : 1, 1920 px for 9 : 16. 4 : 5 and 1 : 1 also have ready-made presets.
- Adjust the crop. Click an image to open the “Crop” tab. Move and resize the frame until the subject sits right.
- Save. Download as JPG at quality 85–90 and upload to Instagram.
Keep Instagram from degrading your photos
- Upload exactly 1080 pixels wide. Then Instagram doesn’t need to rescale – the most common reason for mushy photos.
- High-quality JPG. Instagram compresses again anyway. A source file at quality 85–90 survives that second compression best.
- sRGB instead of Display P3. The Image Workshop saves in sRGB, so colors look the same on every phone.
- Turn on high-quality uploads. In the Instagram app under Settings → Data usage and media quality, enable “Upload at highest quality”. Otherwise the app lowers quality on slow connections.
Stories, Reels and profile picture
Stories and Reels fill the whole screen at 1080 × 1920 pixels. At the top, profile name and progress bar cover about 250 pixels; at the bottom, the reply field and buttons do the same. Keep text and faces in the middle area.
The Reel cover appears in the profile grid as a 3 : 4 crop from the center – place important elements in the middle.
The profile picture is shown as a small circle. A square image of 400 × 400 pixels (the “Profile picture” preset) is plenty. Center the face and let it fill about two thirds of the area, because the corners are cut off.
Get your photos ready for Instagram
Crop to 4 : 5, 1 : 1, 3 : 4 or 9 : 16, bring them to 1080 pixels wide and save as JPG – many images at once. Free, right in your browser, no upload.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best image size for Instagram?
For posts, 1080 × 1350 pixels in 4 : 5. The image takes up the most space in the feed and isn’t rescaled.
What size is an Instagram Story?
1080 × 1920 pixels in 9 : 16. Keep about 250 pixels at the top and bottom free of text.
Why are my photos blurry on Instagram?
Usually because Instagram had to rescale and heavily compress the image. Upload photos exactly 1080 pixels wide as JPG at quality 85–90 and enable “Upload at highest quality” in the app.
Why does Instagram crop my photo?
Posts can be at most 4 : 5 tall and 1.91 : 1 wide; anything beyond that is cropped. In the profile grid Instagram also shows only a 3 : 4 crop.
How big should the Instagram profile picture be?
At least 320 × 320 pixels, square. It’s shown as a circle, so the corners are cut off.
Are my photos uploaded?
Not by the Image Workshop. Cropping and resizing happen in your browser; you upload the result to Instagram yourself afterwards.
Sources
- Image resolution of photos on Instagram, Instagram Help Center – widths from 320 to 1080 pixels and aspect ratios.
- sRGB, Wikipedia – the standard color space for screens and the web.