Instagram Image Dimensions 2026
Instagram is one of the most visually demanding platforms, images are its core product. Uploading at incorrect dimensions means the platform crops your image automatically, often cutting out important content. This guide covers every Instagram format with exact 2026 dimensions.
Instagram feed post sizes
| Format | Dimensions | Aspect ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | 1080 × 1080 px | 1:1 | Classic Instagram format, safest choice |
| Portrait (recommended) | 1080 × 1350 px | 4:5 | Takes most screen space in the feed |
| Landscape | 1080 × 566 px | 1.91:1 | Least screen real estate |
Instagram displays images at 1080 px wide in the feed. Always export at exactly 1080 px width to avoid double scaling. Portrait (4:5) posts take up the most vertical space in the feed, giving higher visibility per post.
Instagram Stories and Reels
| Format | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stories | 1080 × 1920 px | 9:16 full screen vertical |
| Reels | 1080 × 1920 px | Keep key content between 1080×1420 (safe zone) |
| Stories thumbnail (feed) | 161 × 161 px | Auto-generated circle crop from centre |
For Reels, the bottom ~250 px is covered by the caption and action buttons. Keep important visual content in the safe area: roughly 1080×1420, centred vertically, leaving about 250 px clear at top and bottom.
Instagram carousel posts
Carousel albums can mix different aspect ratios but it is best to keep all slides in the same format. Instagram crops all slides to match the first slide's aspect ratio when viewed in the feed (though users can scroll to see the full image of each slide). Recommendation: use 1:1 or 4:5 for carousels.
Profile picture
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Upload size | 320 × 320 px minimum |
| Display size (mobile) | 110 × 110 px |
| Display size (desktop) | 150 × 150 px |
| Shape | Cropped to circle by Instagram |
Upload at 320×320 px minimum. The profile picture is always displayed as a circle, so ensure your logo or face is centred and there is margin around the key content to account for the circular crop.
Instagram compression tips
Instagram re-compresses every image you upload. To get the best quality after Instagram's compression:
- Upload JPEG at quality 85–90 (not 100, Instagram will compress again regardless)
- Export at exactly 1080 px width for feed posts (not 2160 px, bigger does not help)
- Use sRGB colour profile, Instagram ignores embedded ICC profiles and converts to sRGB, causing colour shifts if you use AdobeRGB
- Avoid uploading PNG for photos, Instagram converts them to JPEG with extra compression
Checking your dimensions before posting
Quick way to verify: right-click your image in Windows → Properties → Details tab, or in macOS → Get Info. Check "Dimensions" matches your target before uploading.
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