Key Takeaways
- New for 2026: Instagram now supports a 3:4 aspect ratio (1080 x 1440 px) for feed posts—maximize your vertical real estate and stand out in the feed.
- Standard Sizes: Portrait (4:5, 1080 x 1350 px), Square (1:1, 1080 x 1080 px), and Landscape (1.91:1, 1080 x 566 px) remain supported, but 3:4 is now grid-friendly and recommended for most posts.
- Stories & Reels: Stick to 9:16 (1080 x 1920 px) for full-screen impact—keep key elements centered to avoid cropping.
- Profile Picture: Upload at 320 x 320 px (1:1) for best clarity; keep logos and faces centered.
- Pro Tip: Use Sked Social’s Planning and Grid Preview tools to visualize and schedule your posts for a cohesive, professional look.
Instagram’s visual-first platform is more competitive than ever. With new aspect ratios and evolving feed layouts, brands and creators need to nail their image and video sizes to avoid awkward cropping, blurry uploads, or missed engagement opportunities. In 2026, Instagram’s support for the 3:4 aspect ratio is a game-changer—giving you more vertical space to capture attention without sacrificing grid aesthetics.
But it’s not just about pixels. The right dimensions ensure your content looks sharp, professional, and on-brand—whether it’s a single post, a carousel, a Reel, or your profile picture. And with tools like Sked Social, you can preview, plan, and schedule every post to perfection, saving time and boosting results.
Instagram Aspect Ratio Updates for 2026: What’s Changed?
Instagram’s 2026 update introduces a new 3:4 aspect ratio (1080 x 1440 px) for feed posts, setting a new standard for vertical content. Here’s how the main formats compare:
- Square (1:1, 1080 x 1080 px):
Perfect for a consistent, uniform grid look. This classic format ensures your entire image is visible without cropping, making it a safe choice for brands that want a tidy profile.
- Portrait (4:5, 1080 x 1350 px):
Ideal for tall, engaging posts that take up more vertical space in the feed. This format is great for showcasing products, people, or anything that benefits from a bit of extra height.
- Tall (NEW for 2026, 3:4, 1080 x 1440 px):
The latest and most recommended option. The 3:4 aspect ratio gives you maximum vertical real estate, helping your posts stand out in the feed while still looking great in your profile grid.
- Landscape (1.91:1, 1080 x 566 px):
Best for wide, cinematic shots. This format is perfect for panoramic images, group photos, or any content that benefits from a horizontal layout.
Switching to the new 3:4 aspect ratio is a smart move for most brands and creators in 2026. It’s grid-friendly, eye-catching, and helps your content make a bigger impact—especially when you preview your posts with Sked’s Grid Planner before publishing.
Pro-Tip:
Use Sked’s Grid Planner to preview how each aspect ratio will look in your profile before you post.
Feed, Stories, and Reels Dimensions: The Complete Breakdown
Feed Posts
- 3:4 (1080 x 1440 px): Recommended for most posts in 2026.
- 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px): Still supported, but may be cropped in the grid.
- 1:1 (1080 x 1080 px): Use for a classic, uniform grid.
- 1.91:1 (1080 x 566 px): Best for landscape or cinematic images.
Best Practice:
Keep key elements (faces, text, logos) centered and away from the edges to avoid cropping—especially for 4:5 and 3:4 posts.
Instagram Stories & Reels
- 9:16 (1080 x 1920 px): The standard for Stories and Reels.
- Safe Zone: Keep important content within the central 1080 x 1420 px to avoid being cut off by UI elements.
Example:
A fashion brand uses 3:4 for product shots in the feed, then repurposes the same visuals in 9:16 for Stories and Reels, ensuring a seamless brand experience across formats.
Instagram Carousel and Profile Image Sizes: Consistency is Key
Carousels
- Use the same aspect ratio for all slides (3:4, 4:5, 1:1, or 1.91:1).
- Recommended: 3:4 (1080 x 1440 px) for maximum impact and grid consistency.
- Tip: Preview your carousel in Sked’s Planning tool to ensure a cohesive look.
Profile Picture
- Upload at 320 x 320 px (1:1 aspect ratio).
- Keep logos/faces centered—Instagram crops profile images into a circle.
- Avoid text—it’s rarely legible at small sizes.
Sked Workflow:
Use Sked’s AI-powered image tools to optimize your profile picture and gather team feedback before publishing.
Instagram Image & Video Best Practices for 2026
- Always upload high-resolution images (at least 1080 px wide).
- Batch resize with tools like Canva or Figma for speed and consistency.
- Export settings: Use JPG for photos, PNG for graphics; set quality to 80–90%.
- Preview before posting—use Sked’s Grid Preview to catch cropping issues.
- Maintain a consistent aesthetic—color schemes, filters, and composition matter.
- Leverage Sked’s Scheduling and Collaboration features to streamline approvals and keep your team aligned.
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Get Early Access!Instagram Image and Video Sizes for Instagram Ads in 2026
Instagram ads are a powerhouse for reaching new audiences, but only if your visuals are crisp, on-brand, and formatted for every placement. In 2026, Instagram ad specs have evolved to match the latest feed and Stories formats—so here’s what you need to know to get the best results from your ad spend.
Feed Ads
- Image Ads:
Use the same dimensions as organic feed posts for best results. The new 3:4 aspect ratio (1080 x 1440 px) is now fully supported and recommended for maximum vertical impact. You can also use 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px), 1:1 (1080 x 1080 px), or 1.91:1 (1080 x 566 px) if your creative calls for it. - Video Ads:
Match your video dimensions to your chosen aspect ratio. For vertical video, 3:4 (1080 x 1440 px) or 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px) work well. For landscape, stick with 1.91:1 (1080 x 566 px). Keep videos under 60 seconds for best engagement.
Stories and Reels Ads
- Full-Screen Vertical:
The gold standard is 9:16 (1080 x 1920 px). This format fills the screen and is perfect for immersive, mobile-first storytelling. Make sure to keep your logo, text, and calls-to-action centered and away from the very top and bottom edges—Instagram’s UI can cover up important details. - Video Length:
For Stories, keep each video segment under 15 seconds. For Reels ads, you can go up to 60 seconds, but shorter is often more effective.
Carousel Ads
- Consistent Aspect Ratio:
All images or videos in a carousel ad should use the same aspect ratio—3:4 (1080 x 1440 px) is now recommended for both feed and Stories carousels. You can also use 1:1 or 4:5 if it fits your campaign. - Tip:
Carousel ads are perfect for product showcases, step-by-step tutorials, or telling a story across multiple frames.
Best Practices for Instagram Ad Creatives
- High Resolution Only:
Always upload at least 1080 px wide for images and videos. Blurry ads get ignored. - Safe Zones Matter:
Keep key elements (like text and logos) centered to avoid cropping or UI overlays. - Preview Before Launch:
Use Sked’s Planning and Grid Preview tools to see exactly how your ad will look in every placement. - Test Multiple Formats:
Run A/B tests with different aspect ratios and creative types to see what resonates with your audience.
Step-by-Step: How to Optimize Your Instagram Posts for 2026
- Choose Your Aspect Ratio:
Start with 3:4 (1080 x 1440 px) for feed posts. For Stories/Reels, use 9:16 (1080 x 1920 px).
- Design with Safe Zones:
Keep faces, text, and logos away from the edges. For Stories/Reels, avoid the top and bottom 250 px.
- Batch Resize & Export:
Use design tools to resize all images in one go. Export at high quality.
- Preview in Sked:
Use Sked’s grid and feed preview to check for cropping or layout issues.
- Schedule & Collaborate:
Plan your posts in advance, gather feedback, and set optimal posting times with Sked’s Scheduling tools.
- Analyze & Adjust:
Track performance with Sked’s Analytics and tweak your strategy for maximum engagement.
Expert Tips & Industry Best Practices for 2026
- Adopt the 3:4 format for most feed posts—it’s grid-friendly and maximizes screen space.
- Avoid square posts unless you want a uniform grid; they take up less vertical space and may reduce engagement.
- Use Sked’s AI tools for content suggestions, safe zone checks, and image optimization.
- Preview everything—never post blind. Sked’s Grid Planner is your secret weapon.
- Stay updated—Instagram’s guidelines can change. Follow Sked’s Knowledge Hub for the latest tips.
Instagram Post Size 2026: FAQ
What is the best Instagram post size in 2026?
The new recommended size is 1080 x 1440 px (3:4 aspect ratio) for feed posts. It’s grid-friendly and maximizes vertical space.
What’s the ideal size for Instagram Stories and Reels?
1080 x 1920 px (9:16 aspect ratio). Keep key elements centered to avoid cropping.
How do I avoid my images getting cropped in the grid?
Use the 3:4 aspect ratio and preview your posts with Sked’s Grid Planner.
What’s the best size for my Instagram profile picture?
Upload at 320 x 320 px (1:1 aspect ratio). Center your logo or face and avoid text.
Can I use different aspect ratios in a carousel?
No—use the same aspect ratio for all slides to maintain a cohesive look.
Transform Your Social Media Management with Sked Social
Instagram’s evolving formats can be a headache—cropped images, inconsistent grids, and missed engagement opportunities are all too common. But with Sked Social, you get a complete toolkit to plan, preview, and schedule every post with confidence.
- Grid Preview: See exactly how your posts will look before they go live.
- AI-Powered Image Tools: Optimize every image for clarity and engagement.
- Collaboration & Approvals: Streamline feedback and keep your team in sync.
- Advanced Scheduling: Hit the best times for your audience, every time.
- Analytics: Track what’s working and double down on your top-performing content.
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