253: Instagram Sizing Cheatsheet

Mike Murphy
3 min readSep 2, 2018

--

Pixel Dimensions & Aspect Ratios

The Instagram Cheatsheet

The 2018 Instagram Sizing Cheatsheet:

This tutorial will cover Pixel Dimensions & Aspect Ratios for:

  1. Instagram Main Feed
  2. Instagram Stories
  3. Instagram TV

Note: The pixel dimensions in this article are the sizes I use for all of my posts. Instagram does not have ‘official’ size requirements…only general guidelines.

What you will learn: The correct sizes and aspect ratios for creating photos and videos for Instagram (Feed, Stories & IGTV). I created this post and cheatsheet is to simplify sizing your photos and videos for Instagram. If you know how, I recommend making presets for each size in your video editor such as Premiere Pro or make templates for Photoshop.

Free Download (no email required):
Click here to download the Instagram Cheatsheet

Instagram Sizing & Aspect Ratios (September 2018)

Pixel Dimensions & Aspect Ratios

1. Instagram Main Feed:

The main feed of Instagram is what you see when you open the app. You are able to post square, horizontal, and vertical photos or videos. Animated GIFs are not supported. Videos must be under 1 minute.

  • Square: 1080 x 1080 (1:1 Aspect Ratio)
  • Horizontal: 1080 x 566 (1.91 : 1 Aspect Ratio)
  • Vertical: 1080 x 1350 (4: 5 Aspect Ratio)

2. Instagram Stories:

Instagram Stories can be accessed from the main feed of Instagram by ‘swiping right’ or clicking the camera in the upper left. Instagram Stories supports photos & videos (under 15-seconds). Note: Stories will also let you upload square or wide videos and pinch to fit, but I excluded that from this tutorial to keep things simple.

  • Vertical: 1080 x 1920 (9:16 Aspect Ratio)

3. Instagram TV(Video Only):

Instagram TV launched in 2018 and is video only. IGTV has a stand-alone app or can be accessed from the main feed of Instagram. IGTV posts can also be linked/shared in Instagram Stories.Videos can be uploaded from camera roll or via web-browser. Videos must be at least 15-seconds long and no longer than 10 minutes (unless you have over 10,000 followers).

  • Vertical Videos: 1080 x 1920 (9:16 Aspect Ratio)
    15 seconds minimum — 10 minutes maximum

What are aspect ratios?

Definition: The relationship of width to height of a photo or video (width : height).

The first number references width and the second number references height. 1:1 is always a square.
16:9 is HD Video on YouTube, etc. (width >height therefore it is horizontal)

  • Square: 1:1
  • Horizontal: 1:91 : 1
  • Vertical: 4:5
  • Vertical (Instagram Stories & IGTV): 9:16

Aspect Ratio Nerdery (for the curious minds): If you divide the pixel dimensions, you will get the aspect ratio.

  • Square: 1080/1080 =1
  • Horizontal: 1080 /566 = 1.91
  • Vertical:1080/1350= .8 (4/5 = .8)
  • Vertical (Stories & IGTV): 1080/1920=.5625 (9/16 = .5625)
Aspect Ratios

Video Tutorial:

Click for my YouTube Channel

How Can I Help You? (aka, I’m a Freelancer ;D)

I create content and help people figure things out.

I make podcasts and videos that teach people how to make better content.

Are you on my weekly newsletter?

My name is Mike Murphy, I’m a one man band and podcaster.
Learn. Create. Move Forward.
@mikeunplugged on Twitter or Instagram

--

--

Mike Murphy

Podcast & Tech Handyman. I make tutorials and help people figure things out. Email: mike@mikemurphy.co