Instagram Feed Post Dimensions
Instagram supports three aspect ratios for feed posts. The right one depends on what you're posting and how much engagement you want:
| Format | Dimensions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait (4:5) | 1080 × 1350 px | Default — biggest mobile feed footprint |
| Square (1:1) | 1080 × 1080 px | Cross-platform consistency, profile grid harmony |
| Landscape (1.91:1) | 1080 × 566 px | Repurposed wide content, link previews |
Portrait (4:5) is the modern default. It takes up about 32% more screen space than square on mobile, which translates directly into more time spent on your post and a higher likelihood of engagement.
Carousel Posts
Carousels — multi-photo or multi-video posts — let you add up to 10 slides. They consistently outperform single-image posts because:
- Each unread slide gives Instagram a second chance to show the post in the feed
- Time-on-post increases when viewers swipe
- The "more" indicator drives curiosity
Rules for carousels:
- All slides must share one aspect ratio (1:1 or 4:5) — mixing crops the post
- Maximum 10 slides per post
- Mix of photos and videos is allowed
- Each video slide is capped at 60 seconds
- Sweet spot for engagement: 5–7 slides
The Profile Grid Crop
Instagram's profile grid always shows a 1:1 (square) crop centered on the original image — no matter what aspect ratio you uploaded:
- Portrait (4:5): top and bottom get cropped
- Landscape (1.91:1): left and right get cropped
- Square (1:1): full image shown
Place key subjects, faces, and text in the center 1080 × 1080 area of your post. This way the profile grid still works even when you post in 4:5 portrait format.
Image File Format
- JPG: Photos, gradients, scenery — smallest file, fastest load
- PNG: Graphics with text, logos, transparent overlays — sharpest edges
- GIF: Avoid — Instagram converts to JPG with major quality loss
- HEIC: Avoid — Instagram re-encodes to JPG; export from your tool first
Always export in sRGB color mode. Adobe RGB and Display P3 get crushed in conversion, often producing washed-out or oversaturated results.
Tips for Higher Feed Performance
- Use 4:5 portrait (1080 × 1350) as the default — never landscape for organic
- Keep critical content in the center 1080 × 1080 area for grid harmony
- Use carousels for content that benefits from a swipe-driven story
- Export at exactly 1080 px wide — Instagram downscales larger images and adds compression
- Save in sRGB at JPG quality 90+ or PNG for any text-heavy graphic
- Avoid heavy filters in-app — apply your edits before upload to retain quality
- Need to convert? Use our Instagram Photo Resizer for one-click 4:5 / 1:1 / 1.91:1 cropping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Instagram post size?
The recommended Instagram post size is 1080 × 1350 pixels (4:5 portrait) — the largest the feed allows without cropping. Square posts are 1080 × 1080 px (1:1) and landscape posts are 1080 × 566 px (1.91:1).
What is the best aspect ratio for Instagram posts?
The best aspect ratio for organic Instagram posts is 4:5 (portrait, 1080 × 1350). Portrait takes up about 32% more screen space than square (1:1) on the mobile feed, which boosts thumb-stop rate and engagement. Avoid landscape (1.91:1) for organic content.
What is the Instagram carousel size?
Instagram carousel posts use the same dimensions as single-image posts: 1080 × 1080 px (square) or 1080 × 1350 px (4:5 portrait). All slides in a carousel must share the same aspect ratio — Instagram crops mismatches to match the first slide.
How many photos can be in an Instagram carousel?
You can add up to 10 photos or videos in a single Instagram carousel post. Each slide must use the same aspect ratio. Carousels typically get 1.4× more reach than single-image posts because each unread slide gives Instagram a second chance to show the post in the feed.
Why does my Instagram post look cropped on the profile grid?
The profile grid always shows a 1:1 (square) crop centered on the original image. Portrait (4:5) posts get cropped at the top and bottom; landscape (1.91:1) posts get cropped at the sides. Place key subjects in the center 1080 × 1080 area to survive the crop.
What file format should I use for Instagram posts?
Use PNG for graphics with text, logos, or transparent backgrounds — PNG keeps text readable. Use JPG for photos to keep file size small. Save in sRGB color mode at quality 90+. Avoid GIF for static images — Instagram converts to JPG with quality loss.
Why does my Instagram image look pixelated?
Pixelated posts usually come from uploading below 1080 px wide, using a non-sRGB color profile, or letting Instagram upscale a small image. Always export at 1080 px wide minimum, in sRGB, and use PNG for any image with text or logos.
What is the Instagram landscape post size?
The Instagram landscape post size is 1080 × 566 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio). It is supported but takes the least screen space on mobile and consistently underperforms square or portrait. Use it only for repurposed YouTube thumbnails or wide product shots.