Size cheat sheet
| Format | Aspect ratio | Recommended size |
|---|---|---|
| Square post | 1:1 | 1080 × 1080 px |
| Portrait post | 4:5 | 1080 × 1350 px |
| Tall portrait post (newer grid format) | 3:4 | 1080 × 1440 px |
| Landscape post | 1.91:1 | 1080 × 566 px |
| Story / Reel | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 px |
| Profile picture | 1:1 (shown as a circle) | at least 320 × 320 px |
Which format performs best?
Portrait posts (4:5 or 3:4) take up the most space in the feed on phones, so they tend to catch more attention than square or landscape images. Since the profile grid switched to taller thumbnails, keep important content away from the very top and bottom of square images.
Resize and crop without guesswork
- For one photo where framing matters, use Crop image with the 4:5 or 9:16 ratio and position the frame yourself.
- For a batch, use Resize image → “Preset” → Instagram 1:1, 4:5 or Story; images are cropped evenly from the centre.
- Keep files reasonably small with Compress image — Instagram recompresses uploads anyway, so starting from a clean, high-quality JPG gives the best result.
Stories: mind the safe zone
The top and bottom of a 1080 × 1920 story are covered by the profile name, reply box and buttons. Keep text and faces roughly within the middle area, leaving about 250 px free at the top and bottom.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my photo blurry on Instagram?
Usually because it was smaller than 1080 px wide or heavily compressed before upload. Export at 1080 px width in good quality and upload over Wi-Fi.
Can I post a photo with a transparent background?
Instagram does not keep transparency; transparent areas become a solid colour. Place the cut-out on a background first in Change background.