Size comparison
Instagram Image Sizes Compared: Feed Post vs Story vs Reel Cover vs Profile vs IGTV
Instagram uses different image dimensions for almost every surface — a square feed post, a tall story, a reel cover that crops two ways, and a tiny circular profile photo. Designing one image and reusing it everywhere leads to awkward crops, blurry upscaling, or cut-off text. This comparison lays out the exact pixel dimensions for each Instagram format so you can plan your content once and export correctly for every placement. Whether you batch-create content for the week or hand off specs to a designer, having all five formats side by side saves time and avoids costly re-exports.
| Format | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Best Export | Max Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Post | 1080 × 1080px | 1:1 | JPG | — |
| Instagram Story | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 | JPG | — |
| Instagram Reel Cover | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 | JPG | — |
| Instagram Profile Photo | 320 × 320px | 1:1 | PNG | — |
| Instagram IGTV Cover | 420 × 654px | 1:1.55 | JPG | — |
Instagram Post
1080 × 1080px
Square 1080×1080 remains the safest general-purpose feed format. Instagram also supports 4:5 portrait (1080×1350) and 1.91:1 landscape.
Instagram Story
1080 × 1920px
Stories are full-screen vertical assets. Leave ~14% padding at top and bottom for Instagram's UI chrome (username, reply bar).
Instagram Reel Cover
1080 × 1920px
Reel covers display at 9:16 in the Reels tab but get cropped to roughly 1:1 in the profile grid.
Instagram Profile Photo
320 × 320px
Profile images display as small circles — 150px on mobile, 110px on desktop. Upload at 320×320 for the sharpest result.
Instagram IGTV Cover
420 × 654px
IGTV covers display as a vertical rectangle in the IGTV tab and get cropped differently in the main feed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same image for an Instagram post and a story?
Not without cropping issues. Posts are 1080×1080 (square) while stories are 1080×1920 (9:16 vertical). If you upload a square image to a story, Instagram adds blurred bars or zooms in. Start from the story dimensions and design a safe zone in the center that works as a square crop for the feed.
What is the best image format for Instagram reels?
Reel covers should be 1080×1920, but the key challenge is that they display full-height in the Reels tab and get cropped to roughly 1:1 in your profile grid. Keep the subject centered in the middle 1080×1080 area so it works in both views.
Why does my Instagram profile picture look blurry?
Instagram displays profile photos at just 110-150 pixels depending on the device. Upload at 320×320 for the sharpest result. If your source image is smaller than that, Instagram upscales it and the result looks soft. Also make sure your subject is centered — the circular mask clips edges.
After resizing, you can also:
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