Use-case guide
Story and Reel Image Sizes: Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and Pinterest
Stories and reels have become the dominant content format across social media. What started as Snapchat's disappearing photos has evolved into a full-screen vertical canvas used by every major platform. While the base dimensions are usually 1080×1920, each platform places its UI elements — usernames, like buttons, captions, reply bars — in different positions, creating different safe zones for your content. This guide covers the exact dimensions and practical safe-zone advice for stories and reels on five platforms. Whether you are creating organic content or paid ads, understanding these differences prevents the frustrating experience of text hidden behind buttons or key visuals cropped by platform chrome.
Instagram offers three vertical full-screen surfaces: organic stories, reel covers, and story ads. Stories disappear after 24 hours, reels live permanently on your profile, and story ads appear between organic stories. Each has slightly different UI overlays that affect where you can safely place text and CTAs.
| Platform | Size Name | Dimensions | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
Instagram | Instagram Story | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 |
Instagram | Instagram Reel Cover | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 |
Instagram | Instagram Ad — Story | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 |
Other Platforms
Facebook stories, Snapchat stories, TikTok covers, and Pinterest Idea Pins all use the vertical format but with different UI layouts. Facebook stories have a larger top bar, Snapchat overlays temperature and time, TikTok stacks engagement buttons on the right side, and Pinterest uses a unique multi-page format.
| Platform | Size Name | Dimensions | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
Facebook | Facebook Story | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 |
Snapchat | Snapchat Story | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 |
TikTok | TikTok Video Cover | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 |
Pinterest | Pinterest Idea Pin | 1080 × 1920px | 9:16 |
Tips
- Keep critical content in the center 70% of the frame vertically. Every platform obscures the top 10-15% (username, time) and bottom 15-20% (reply bar, CTA buttons, captions).
- Design for sound-off viewing by default. Most story and reel viewers browse with sound muted, so text overlays and captions are essential for getting your message across.
- Test your story designs on an actual phone screen before publishing. Desktop previews in design tools do not accurately represent how small text and details appear on a mobile screen.
Frequently asked questions
Are all story sizes the same across platforms?
The base dimensions are almost universally 1080×1920 (9:16), but the usable safe zone varies significantly. Instagram obscures the top ~250px and bottom ~200px with UI. Facebook has a taller top bar. Snapchat overlays location and temperature widgets. Design for the tightest safe zone if you repurpose across platforms.
What is the difference between a story and a reel?
Stories are temporary (they disappear after 24 hours) and appear at the top of the feed. Reels are permanent short-form videos that live on your profile and are distributed through the platform's algorithm. Both use 9:16 vertical format at 1080×1920, but reels also generate a cover image that displays in your profile grid — usually cropped to a smaller aspect ratio.
Can I repost the same story to every platform?
Yes, if you design within the tightest common safe zone. Keep text and important visuals in the middle 60-70% of the vertical space, avoid placing anything near the edges, and do not reference platform-specific features (like 'swipe up' on a platform that uses 'tap to learn more'). The visual content itself is fully portable at 1080×1920.
After resizing, you can also:
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