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Getting the right Instagram photo sizes can make all the difference in how your posts look and how they’re received. Whether you’re sharing portraits, landscapes, or square images, each format has an ideal Instagram photo size to optimize clarity and composition.
Adjusting your photos to fit these recommended Instagram photo sizes will help you avoid blurriness, cropping issues, and overall low-quality uploads. This guide breaks down the best Instagram photo sizes for each type of post to help your content stand out.
Why Instagram Photo Sizes Matter
When your Instagram photo sizes aren’t quite right, the platform might automatically resize or crop them. This can lead to images looking stretched, pixelated, or simply not showing as intended. Choosing the best Instagram photo sizes helps images stay sharp and well-framed, improving the chances of better engagement and interaction.
What Is the Best Photo Size for Instagram Posts?
The best Instagram photo sizes vary depending on the format. For square photos, 1080 x 1080 pixels is ideal, as this size maintains quality without the need for cropping or resizing. Portrait photos work best at 1080 x 1350 pixels, offering more vertical space for visual impact. Landscape images, suited for 1080 x 566 pixels, display well without cropping when uploaded with this Instagram photo size. Each of these dimensions ensures clarity and focus.
When capturing portraits, give extra attention to framing. Aim for more space above the head and around the lower part of the image to avoid accidentally cutting off the model’s head or feet. This bit of extra headroom and bottom space also gives you flexibility during post-processing, allowing for adjustments without losing any part of your subject. Whether you’re taking full-body shots or closer head-and-shoulders portraits, this approach helps keep the composition balanced.
For more tips, from lighting and posing to camera settings, check out our Ultimate Portrait Photography Guide and the basic photography techniques. It’s packed with everything you need to capture stunning portraits, no matter your skill level.
Additional Instagram Formats: Stories, Reels, and Carousel Posts
Other popular formats on Instagram also have specific Instagram photo sizes that maximize quality. Stories, for instance, perform best at 1080 x 1920 pixels, filling the screen fully with no empty spaces. Reels match this 9:16 format for a full-screen vertical effect. Carousel posts, which allow multiple images, work well when all images are resized to the same Instagram photo sizes for consistency.
- Instagram Reel Size: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels (9:16)
- Instagram Story Size: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels (9:16)
- Instagram Square Size: 1080 pixels x 1080 pixels (1:1)
- Instagram Portrait Post Size: 1080 pixels x 1350 pixels (4:5)
- Instagram Landscape Post Size: 1080 pixels x 608 pixels (16:9)
What to Do When Images Are Cropped
Sometimes, even when using recommended Instagram photo sizes, images may still appear cropped. If this happens, resizing your image beforehand can be a helpful fix. For instance, using a square format of 1080 x 1080 pixels, a portrait size of 1080 x 1350 pixels, or a landscape size of 1080 x 566 pixels will often prevent unexpected cropping.
Alternatively, adding a white or black border around the image can also help you retain your chosen Instagram photo sizes without losing any part of the image. Here are some solutions to help avoid or minimize cropping:
Resize Your Image Before Uploading
Match Instagram’s Aspect Ratios: Resize images to Instagram’s recommended sizes. Square photos work best at 1080 x 1080 pixels, portrait images at 1080 x 1350 pixels, and landscapes at 1080 x 608 pixels. Using apps like Canva, Adobe Lightroom, or Photoshop makes it easy to resize photos to these exact dimensions.
Add Borders to Your Image
Add White or Black Borders: Borders can keep your image’s original aspect ratio while making it square. This allows Instagram to fit your image into its display without cropping. Instasize and Whitagram are apps that let you add borders in a few taps.
Use Instagram’s “Expand” Feature on Stories
Adjust Size in Stories: When uploading to Instagram Stories, use the pinch gesture to adjust your image’s size. This feature helps fit high-resolution photos within the Story frame without unwanted cropping.
Switch to Carousel Posts for Different Aspect Ratios
Create a Consistent Look: If you have images in multiple aspect ratios, a carousel post can help maintain a uniform appearance. Resize all images to a single aspect ratio, like 4:5, to prevent cropping issues in the carousel.
Try Using Layouts for Collages
Instagram Layouts for Multi-Image Posts: If you have multiple images that don’t fit Instagram’s dimensions, the Layouts feature lets you create a collage. This is a great option for fitting different aspect ratios without losing any part of the images.
Preview and Adjust Before Posting
Preview Your Image: Instagram offers a preview of your post before sharing. Zoom out or reposition the image during this stage to minimize cropping. This simple adjustment can make sure your post looks just right.
Tips for Maintaining Quality When Uploading Photos
A few simple steps can help your Instagram photos maintain quality. Editing in high resolution before downsizing to Instagram’s recommended size keeps your images sharp even after compression. Using Instagram’s in-app camera is another option, as it sometimes preserves quality better than uploading from the photo library.
When saving images for upload, choosing settings that maintain quality without over-compressing can make a noticeable difference.
Final Thoughts
Using the best Instagram photo sizes ensures your images look professional and stay true to your vision without unwanted cropping. Whether you’re casually posting or curating a polished feed, these optimized Instagram photo sizes will help your content make a lasting impression. Keep your images sharp and engaging by sticking to these sizes, and you’ll be ready to upload with confidence.
Whether you’re shooting landscapes, street scenes, or portraits, one of the first things to think about is composition. Consider how the framing and layout will look, especially if you plan to share it as an Instagram post.
