Instagram Post Sizes - The Ultimate Guide for 2024

When your image and video sizes are spot-on, everything fits like a glove and looks sharp. Luckily, we’ve done all the measuring, so you don’t have to lift a finger. In this comprehensive guide, you will find the essential Instagram post sizes for 2024 to ensure that your organic content is optimized perfectly.

Let’s start with a quick snapshot of the best image dimensions for your Instagram posts. I recommend that you download and save this handy cheat sheet 😉

Instagram post image sizes

This is the breakdown for each recommended size so your posts fit perfectly—no awkward cropping, no low-res images, just content that looks great.

Instagram feed image size

Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)

Images are the heart of Instagram, making it the perfect platform to leverage images for maximum impact in your social media advertising strategy.

Instagram carousel image size

Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)

Instagram carousel images allow you to share multiple photos within a single post, providing a dynamic and engaging way to tell a story or highlight different aspects of your content. This format is perfect for showcasing product collections, step-by-step guides, or event highlights. 

Adding up to 10 images per carousel can create a richer, more detailed experience for your audience, encouraging them to swipe through and interact with your post.

Instagram Stories image size

Vertical: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)

Instagram Stories images offer a unique and engaging way to connect with your audience through ephemeral content. These vertical images disappear after 24 hours, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity. They’re perfect for sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, limited-time offers, or quick updates. 

With interactive features like polls, questions, and swipe-up links, Stories images capture attention and encourage direct interaction and engagement from your followers. Use this format to create a sense of immediacy and foster a more personal connection with your audience.

Instagram photo thumbnail size

Carousels
Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
Reels
Thumbnail: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Cover image: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)

Thumbnails are super important on Instagram because they’re the first thing people see when scrolling through their feed or checking out your profile. A great thumbnail can grab attention and make your content stand out, whether an image, video, or carousel. Think of it as your content’s “front cover”—it needs to be eye-catching and preview what’s inside. 

A solid thumbnail draws people in and keeps your brand looking sharp and consistent. It’s all about making a great first impression and getting more eyes on your posts.

Feed posts: For single image or video posts, Instagram automatically generates a thumbnail from the main content. You don’t need to upload it manually.

Carousel posts: A carousel's first image or video serves as the thumbnail for the entire carousel.

Reels: When you upload a Reel, you can choose a cover image, which acts as the thumbnail. This cover image appears in your profile grid and the Reels tab.

Instagram post video sizes

Videos are a powerful way to engage your audience on Instagram, offering a dynamic alternative to static images. However, they often demand a bigger creative production budget than static images.

Instagram feed video size

Square: Aspect ratio of 1:1 and dimensions of 1080 px by 1080 px
Horizontal: Aspect ratio of 1.9:1 or 16:9 and dimensions of 1080 px by 607 px
Portrait: Aspect ratio of 4:5 and dimensions of 1080 px by 1350 px

Instagram feed videos are a fantastic way to capture attention with motion and sound, making your content more engaging and memorable. Whether showcasing a product, telling a story, or sharing behind-the-scenes moments, feed videos can significantly boost your reach and engagement. 

This creative format lets you connect with your audience more personally and vibrantly, making your posts stand out in their feed.

Instagram carousel video size

Square: Aspect ratio of 1:1 and dimensions of 1080 px by 1080 px
Horizontal: Aspect ratio of 1.9:1 or 16:9 and dimensions of 1080 px by 607 px
Portrait: Aspect ratio of 4:5 and dimensions of 1080 px by 1350 px

Instagram carousel video posts are an excellent way to showcase multiple products or features within a single post. You can create a dynamic, swipeable experience that captures your audience's attention and keeps them engaged. 

Each carousel can include a minimum of 2 cards and a maximum of 10 cards, allowing you to mix videos with images to tell a story or display a variety of content in one post. This format is ideal for highlighting different aspects of your product and encouraging interaction from your followers. Ensuring that the designs for the cards are cohesive and flow well together will keep your audience hooked.

Instagram Stories video size

Full-screen size: 1080 px by 1920 px (9:16 aspect ratio)

These videos fill the entire screen, creating an immersive and engaging experience for viewers. This format is perfect for capturing attention with vertical videos that fit seamlessly into the natural way people hold their phones. 

Whether you’re sharing behind-the-scenes content, product showcases, or special announcements, ensure that your videos meet these specifications to look crisp and professional.

Instagram Reels video size

Vertical: Use 1080 px by 1920 px (9:16 aspect ratio), similar to Instagram Stories.

Instagram Reels video captivates your audience with short, engaging clips. With a length of up to 90 seconds and a vertical format perfect for mobile viewing, Reels are for quick consumption. This format lets you showcase your creativity through entertaining snippets, educational content, or viral trends.

Reels also offer potent tools like music, AR effects, and text overlays, helping you craft visually appealing and interactive videos. Leveraging Reels can significantly boost your reach and engagement, making your content discoverable to a broader audience through the Explore page. However, it's essential to do creative testing to see which resonates best with your audience to maximize your Reels' impact. 

While Reels demand more creative effort than static posts, their ability to spread rapidly and significantly expand your content reach makes them a crucial element of your creative strategy.

Instagram profile picture size

The recommended Instagram profile picture size is 110 x 110 pixels, creating a perfect square. This size works well when viewed on a mobile app. However, I recommend uploading a larger profile picture with dimensions of 180 x 180 pixels for web browsers to ensure clarity and quality. 

‍

🛎️ BONUS: If you're advertising across all Meta platforms, check out the full rundown of Facebook ad sizes and specs here.

Nail your Instagram posts with Madgicx 🎯

Feeling overwhelmed about getting your Instagram post sizes just right? Don’t sweat it. With Madgicx’s Creative Workflow, you only need your vision—we handle the rest.

Our Creative Workflow is your go-to for perfectly optimized Instagram content. Dive into Madgicx’s Ad Library to see top-notch Meta ads by category, format, and type. Curious about what your competitors are up to? You can check that out, too.

Once you’ve found the ads you admire, just submit a quick brief via Sparkle. We’ll match you with a skilled designer who will craft eye-catching content tailored to your needs, delivering your designs within 48 hours. After you approve, your content is uploaded to Meta Ads Manager for you to launch immediately.

Ready to perfect your Instagram posts? Try Madgicx’s Creative Workflow free for 7 days—no strings attached.