Priya works as a digital creator for an online shopping brand. She spends her days taking beautiful photos of the shop’s new arrivals and editing them to look perfect. But when she shares them on Instagram, she often feels frustrated. Because these images don’t look the way she wanted and fail to grab attention. Later she understood the issue was Instagram aspect ratio size restrictions. Like Priya, many creators face the same challenge on the platform.
Have you ever faced something similar? Did you feel frustrated when your hard work did not shine the way you imagined, right? But do you know, that a social media marketing agency can help creators and businesses optimize their content to stand out and perform better on Instagram and other social media platforms? Because they understand the platform-specific requirements and the recent updates of each platform.
When you read this blog till the end, all your doubts about Instagram aspect ratio and the recent updates of Instagram posts in 2025 will be cleared.
Instagram is a popular social media platform from Meta. Youngsters are huge fans of this platform. Today, marketers use Instagram for social media marketing. For this, you need to post engaging photos, videos, and stories that resonate with your audience.
Digital creators use engaging feed posts, short and fun reels, or interactive stories to display the content and create a brand presence. But while doing so, you should keep in mind the platform’s size restrictions and aspect ratios. If you post any image or video that doesn’t fit the required dimensions, it can cause distorted visuals, cropped content, or lower engagement. If you want your content to look good after posting and get noticed by everyone, knowing the right size images, and aspect ratios for each type of post on Instagram is essential.
Instagram Aspect Ratio for Posts
For all content, there is a proportion of width to height. It is known as the Instagram aspect ratio. Did you notice something like 1:1, 4:5, or 16:9 mentioned for your images or videos while posting on Instagram? These numbers represent the Instagram aspect ratio of Insta posts. It defines the width and height of your content and helps it fit perfectly on the platform without distortion.
Each ratio corresponds to a specific layout for your content. For example, if a post has a width and height of 1cm each, it follows a 1:1 ratio. This type of equal-size image is a square image with equal width and height. In the same way, a 4:5 ratio is a vertical image that is slightly taller than a square and a 16:9 is a wide horizontal format.
Instagram Image size
Now that we have covered the Instagram aspect ratio, let us talk about the ideal image size for each type of post. Size and aspect ratio are closely related. Instagram recommends specific sizes to match the aspect ratio and ensure your content looks sharp and professional on the platform. If you understand these sizes, it will help you to create content that fits perfectly and also performs well. When you create content in a specific aspect ratio, it’s crucial to consider the ideal image size for that ratio.
The Instagram image size is the width and height of photos or videos you are posting. These two dimensions combine to create the image resolution. It defines the overall image quality. For example, the size of an Instagram post is 1024 * 981. Here 1024 is the width and 981 is the height of the post. If you follow the recommended sizes for each aspect ratio, then your content will be optimized for a sharper and more professional appearance. It will stand out and improve engagement with your audience.
However, you need to understand that image sizes and aspect ratios vary depending on the type of content. What works for Instagram stories will not work for feed posts or reels. Because each format has its specific requirements to ensure your content looks its best. In social media marketing, you should make your posts fit the specific requirements of each format to ensure they perform well.
Are you wondering, what’s the new update of Instagram in 2025? What changes should you be aware of to keep your content looking fresh and optimized? A social media marketing agency we will keep you updated on the latest social media trends and algorithm changes in Instagram. This will help you to improve your Instagram strategies and maximize engagement.
Instagram Post types and their aspect ratios
Instagram Images
They are the traditional posts you can see on the main page of Instagram. They can be photos or videos. They stay in your profile unless you delete it. They are perfect for sharing your best content.
Do you remember when uploading an image to your feed, Instagram often required you to crop it to fit the square format? In those days, every photo was expected to be in a 1:1 ratio. This often resulted in losing key parts of your image or compromising its quality, and visuals often ended up looking different than expected.
But now Instagram has evolved. You can upload landscape or portrait images because there is no restriction about the aspect ratio being limited to a square format anymore.
- Square Images: The classic Instagram square image is still here and remains one of the most recognizable formats. Its simplicity and symmetry make it a popular choice. If you are creating a square image, it should be 1080 pixels wide and 1080 pixels tall with a 1:1 aspect ratio. You can crop your image directly in the Instagram app. But for carousel posts, you should maintain consistent dimensions for all images to avoid cropping issues.
- Landscape image: You might have faced awkward cropping of a landscape image to fit the square format in the past. But now Instagram requires landscape images with a dimension of 1080 * 608 pixels. Thus, the aspect ratio in this type is 1.91:1.
However, though the recommended aspect ratio for landscape pictures is 1.9:1, some users mistakenly use the 16:9 ratio. This might result in unwanted borders or altered beauty. To ensure the best results, always stick to the recommended 1.9:1 aspect ratio for Instagram landscape images. - Portrait images: These types of images are favorites for Instagram feeds. Their vertical orientation fits mobile screens, making them more impactful. The recommended dimension of this type of image is 1080*1350 pixels and the aspect ratio is 4:5.
Instagram Videos
More than an image, videos on Instagram dynamically grab attention. The maximum time duration of a video is 60 seconds. The file size should be less than 4GB and it should have a frame rate of up to 30fps. On Instagram, videos can be uploaded in square, landscape, or portrait formats.
A square video format content fits well within a uniform shape offering consistency across your feed. If the size of a square video is 1080px1080px with a 1:1 aspect ratio, it will have good clarity. The resolution range is between 600600 to 1080*1080.
Landscape videos are wide horizontal videos. It is perfect for showing expansive content such as wide scenic beauty or full-frame visuals. These videos can have a size of 1080px width and 608px height with an aspect ratio of 16:9. The resolution of landscape videos lies between a minimum of 600315 and a maximum of 1080608.
Portrait videos are vertical but work well on mobile devices. The recommended size of a portrait video is 1080px width and 1350px tall, with an aspect ratio of 4:5. The minimum and maximum range of resolution are from 600750 to 10801350.
In Instagram, Four video formats are there that can help you to attract your audience in a better way. While each format has its unique purpose, it is essential to ensure that your videos are sized correctly for the best viewing experience. There are specific dimensions and aspect ratios for videos also. They are
- Instagram reels: The short engaging videos of up to 90 seconds in duration are reels. They are perfect for sharing fun, creative, or informative content. Usually, reels go viral and they can be discovered by users who are not following you yet. The size of a reel should be 1080px *1920px with an aspect ratio of 9:16 for the best quality and viewing experience. For reels, the caption appears at the bottom of the video, so keep it short. The duration of the eels should be 30 seconds.
- Instagram IGTV: This media allows you to share long videos through IGTV. A perfect post type for tutorials, interviews, or anything that needs more time. You can create either horizontal videos or vertical videos. The recommended cover photo size is 420px*654px with an aspect ratio of 1:1.55.
The recommended size of this category video is:
For vertical videos 1080px*1920px with an Instagram aspect ratio of 9:16
For horizontal videos 1920px*1080px with an Instagram aspect ratio of 16:9 - Instagram Live: If you want to broadcast in real-time for your followers, then this is the perfect choice. It is a great way to engage with your audience, answer questions, or share a live event. Similar to reels, these videos are best when shot vertically, as they are designed for real-time mobile viewing. The recommended size of an Instagram Live video is 1080px*1920px with an aspect ratio of 9:16.
- Instagram Stories: They are designed to be viewed vertically. So, using the right dimensions and aspect ratio for the best display is important. A story should have a size of 1080px *1920px with an Instagram aspect ratio of 9:16. You can upload landscape images and they will be rotated to fit the screen horizontally. This could cause some details to be cropped out. To avoid this, it is best to stick with portrait images for your Instagram Stories.
Conclusion
Over the years, Instagram has expanded beyond the square images. Now it is offering different Instagram aspect ratio formats that cater to different content types. A social media marketing agency should stay updated with the latest trends. This will ensure your posts always look the best. By mastering these elements, you will see success in your social media marketing efforts.
