The Best Instagram Image Sizes for Success: A Guide for 2024

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.

Quick Guide to Instagram Image Sizes for 2024

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.

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.

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

Instagram Image Dimensions for Every Post Type

Instagram has evolved beyond square photos to offer varied creative possibilities with portrait and landscape dimensions. Explore the unique dimensions for each post type – squares, landscapes, and Stories.

#1: Instagram Feed Post Dimensions

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

These are square, portrait, and horizontal.

Let us look at them, to begin with.

Square Image Post

Ideal image size: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)

The classic Instagram post features a 1:1 aspect ratio. 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…

Portrait Image Post

Ideal image size: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
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.

Landscape Image Post

Ideal image size: 1080 x 1350 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)

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 landscape dimensions are 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 Dimensions

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.

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 Photo Dimensions

Ideal image size: 320 x 320 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)

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 dimensions for your Instagram profile photo are 320 x 320 pixels; it will be displayed as a circle with a diameter of 110 pixels in the feed.

#4: Instagram Stories Dimensions

Ideal image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)

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.

#5: Instagram Reels Dimensions

Ideal image size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 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 px 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?