The standard Instagram post size is 1080 by 1350 pixels for vertical feeds

Instagram accepts posts between 600 by 750 pixels and 1080 by 1350 pixels. The platform automatically resizes anything outside that range, but posting at the native 1080 by 1350 dimension keeps your image sharpest. This vertical rectangle works best for phone screens, where most people view Instagram.

If you post a square image instead — 1080 by 1080 pixels — Instagram displays it without cropping. The same is true for wider landscape formats like 1200 by 628 pixels, though these take up less vertical space in someone's feed. Instagram will not crop any of these sizes, but the vertical 1080 by 1350 format fills more of the screen and typically gets more engagement because it dominates the feed.

The exact pixel dimensions matter less than the aspect ratio — the relationship between width and height. Instagram recognizes three main ratios: 4:5 (vertical), 1:1 (square), and 1.91:1 (landscape). If you design at any size that matches one of these ratios, Instagram will display it without distortion.

Key Takeaways

  • Post at 1080 by 1350 pixels for the sharpest vertical image that fills most phone screens.
  • Square posts (1080 by 1080) and landscape posts (1200 by 628) display without cropping but take up less vertical space in the feed.
  • Instagram accepts any size between 600 by 750 and 1080 by 1350 pixels, but sizes outside the native dimension may appear blurry.
  • The aspect ratio matters more than exact pixels — stick to 4:5 (vertical), 1:1 (square), or 1.91:1 (landscape) to avoid distortion.
  • Different post types have different size requirements: Reels use 9:16, Stories use 9:16, and carousel posts use the same dimensions as feed posts.

Why Instagram resizes images and what that means for quality

Instagram compresses every image you upload to reduce file size and load time. If you post at a smaller dimension than 1080 by 1350, Instagram enlarges it to fit the feed, which makes the image look pixelated or blurry. If you post larger than 1080 by 1350, Instagram shrinks it down, which loses detail but keeps the image sharp because you started with more information.

The compression happens regardless of size. A photo shot on your phone at 3000 by 4000 pixels will compress down to 1080 by 1350 for the feed, but because you started with extra detail, the final result looks cleaner than if you had uploaded a 600 by 750 image that Instagram then enlarged. This is why photographers and designers recommend shooting or designing at the largest size you can, then letting Instagram resize it.

How to prepare images in common design tools

In Photoshop, create a new document at 1080 by 1350 pixels with 72 pixels per inch. Design your image, then export it as a JPEG at 80 percent quality — this balances sharpness with file size. Instagram will compress it further, but starting with a clean export prevents double compression artifacts.

In Canva, search for "Instagram Post" and Canva automatically sets the canvas to 1080 by 1350 pixels. Design your post, download it as a PNG or JPEG, and upload directly to Instagram. Canva's preset takes the guesswork out of dimensions.

On a phone using a photo editing app like Snapseed or Adobe Lightroom Mobile, you do not need to resize before posting — just upload the full-resolution photo and Instagram handles the rest. Phone cameras shoot at high enough resolution that Instagram's compression will not noticeably degrade the image.

Different sizes for Stories, Reels, and carousel posts

Instagram Stories and Reels use a taller aspect ratio: 9 by 16 pixels, which translates to 1080 by 1920 pixels at full resolution. This vertical format fills the entire phone screen. If you post a Story or Reel at a smaller size, Instagram will add blank space (called letterboxing) on the sides, which looks unfinished.

Carousel posts — the ones where you swipe left to see multiple images — use the same dimensions as regular feed posts: 1080 by 1350 pixels per image. Each image in the carousel should be the same size and aspect ratio so they display consistently as someone swipes through.

If you upload a landscape image to a carousel, Instagram will shrink it to fit, leaving blank space above and below. Stick to 1080 by 1350 for every image in a carousel to avoid this.

What happens if you post the wrong size

Instagram will not reject your post for being the wrong size. Instead, it will resize or letterbox the image automatically. A post that is too small gets enlarged and looks blurry. A post that is too wide gets shrunk down with blank bars on the sides. A post that is too tall gets compressed vertically.

None of these outcomes will prevent the post from going live, but they will make it look less polished than posts from accounts that use the correct dimensions. On a crowded feed, a blurry or awkwardly sized image is more likely to be scrolled past.

How to check your post size before uploading

On a computer, right-click the image file, select Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac), and look for the dimensions listed under Image or Details. If the dimensions do not match one of Instagram's accepted ratios, use a free tool like Pixlr or Photopea to resize it before uploading.

On a phone, most photo editing apps show the image dimensions in the export settings. In Lightroom Mobile, open the image, tap the export icon, and the resolution appears before you save. In the native Photos app, you cannot see dimensions, but you can upload directly to Instagram and preview how it will look before posting — swipe up on the preview to see the full frame.

File format and compression settings

Instagram accepts JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP formats. JPEG is the smallest file size and works best for photographs. PNG preserves transparency and works best for graphics with text or logos. GIF works for animated images but produces larger files than JPEG.

When you export from Photoshop or another editor, use JPEG at 80 percent quality for photos and PNG for graphics. Instagram will compress the file further, but starting with a reasonably compressed export prevents the image from becoming too large to upload quickly. Files larger than 8 MB may fail to upload or take a very long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I post a vertical image that is taller than 1350 pixels?

Yes. Instagram accepts any image up to 1080 by 1350 pixels without cropping, but it will also accept taller images and simply shrink them down. If your image is 1080 by 2000 pixels, Instagram will compress it to fit the feed. The 1080 by 1350 dimension is the optimal size — larger images will work but may lose sharpness during compression.

What size should I use if I want my post to look good on desktop and mobile?

Use 1080 by 1350 pixels. This size displays well on both desktop browsers and mobile phones because it is designed for mobile-first viewing. On desktop, the image will appear smaller but still sharp. Instagram does not optimize for desktop viewing the way other platforms do.

Do I need to add borders or padding around my image?

No. Instagram does not add borders or padding automatically. If you want white space around your image, you must add it yourself before uploading — create a 1080 by 1350 canvas, place your smaller image in the center, and fill the rest with white or another color.

Why does my image look blurry after I post it?

The most common reason is uploading at a size smaller than 600 by 750 pixels. Instagram enlarges small images to fit the feed, which makes them blurry. Always upload at least 600 by 750 pixels, and ideally 1080 by 1350 pixels. If the image was sharp before uploading, the blurriness is likely from Instagram's compression, which is normal and usually not noticeable on a phone screen.

Can I use different aspect ratios for different posts?

Yes. You can post a square one day, a vertical image the next, and a landscape image after that. Instagram handles each format without cropping. However, mixing aspect ratios can make your feed look disorganized. Many accounts stick to one format — usually 4:5 vertical — to create a consistent visual style.