Complete specs for Instagram Reels, Stories, Feed posts, and Carousels. Optimized for reach and engagement.
Instagram supports several video placements, and each one has its own ideal dimensions. Getting the specs right means your content displays without cropping, loads quickly, and looks sharp on every device. Below are the exact specifications for every major Instagram video format in 2026.
Even though Instagram accepts lower resolutions, uploading at the full 1080 x 1920 ensures your video looks crisp across all screen sizes. Lower resolutions get upscaled by Instagram, which introduces visible compression artifacts.
H.264 is the most widely supported video codec and produces the best quality-to-file-size ratio on Instagram. Avoid VP9 or AV1 as they may trigger additional server-side re-encoding that degrades quality.
Instagram overlays UI elements like your username, caption text, and action buttons on the bottom 250 pixels of Reels. Keep critical text, logos, and CTAs in the center or upper portion of the frame to avoid getting covered.
Reel cover photos display at 1080 x 1920 in the Reels tab but get cropped to a square (1:1) on your profile grid. Design covers with the key visual centered so they look great in both views.
Around 40% of Instagram users watch videos without sound. Adding captions to your Reels and feed videos significantly boosts watch time and engagement. GhostShorts can auto-generate captions in 30+ languages.
GhostShorts formats your videos for every Instagram placement, with captions and effects built in.
Start Creating FreeInstagram Reels use a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio with a recommended resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. The minimum resolution is 500 x 888 pixels, but uploading at the full 1080 x 1920 ensures the best visual quality across all devices.
Instagram Reels support a maximum file size of 4 GB. The recommended video format is MP4 or MOV with H.264 codec and a frame rate of 30 fps for smooth playback.
Instagram Reels can be anywhere from 3 seconds to 15 minutes long. However, shorter Reels between 15 and 60 seconds tend to perform best in terms of reach and engagement.
Instagram feed videos support multiple aspect ratios: 1:1 (square) at 1080 x 1080 pixels, 4:5 (portrait) at 1080 x 1350 pixels, and 16:9 (landscape). The 4:5 portrait format takes up the most screen space in the feed and typically drives the highest engagement.
Yes, both Instagram Stories and Reels use the same 9:16 vertical aspect ratio at 1080 x 1920 pixels. The main difference is duration. Stories are limited to 60 seconds per segment, while Reels can be up to 15 minutes long.
Instagram Carousels support up to 20 slides, which can be a mix of images and videos. All slides should use a consistent aspect ratio, with 1:1 (1080 x 1080) or 4:5 (1080 x 1350) being the most effective.