Complete Guide For Instagram Post Dimensions in 2025

In 2025, over 70% of Instagram’s daily users access the app exclusively on mobile devices, and if your content isn’t perfectly sized for the platform’s evolving layout, it could be cropped, compressed, or entirely missed by your audience. Instagram’s feed, Reels tab, and new 3:4 profile grid preview all display content differently, making precise formatting more important than ever.

The difference between high-performing content and overlooked posts often comes down to getting your Instagram post dimensions right. This guide breaks down the exact specs you need to know, so your visuals not only look polished but actually perform.

Why Instagram Image Sizes Matter in 2025

Instagram continues to evolve, which means brands need to do more than “show up”, but need to show up correctly. Correct sizing ensures:

• Clean display across mobile and desktop
• Higher image quality (no compression loss)
• Improved performance in Reels, Stories, and Ads
• Stronger brand consistency across all touchpoints

For teams handling Social Media Management, these updates directly impact campaign effectiveness. Improper formatting can affect visibility, reach, and conversion.

2025 Instagram Post Dimensions (Quick Reference)

Content Type

Dimensions (px)

Aspect Ratio

Square Post

1080 x 1080

1:1

Portrait Post

1080 x 1350

4:5

Landscape Post

1080 x 566

1.91:1

Carousel (Portrait)

1080 x 1350

4:5

Instagram Stories

1080 x 1920

9:16

Reels

1080 x 1920

9:16

Profile Picture

320 x 320

1:1 (circular)

Highlight Cover

1080 x 1920

9:16

Ads (Feed & Story)

Varies by format

See below

Feed Post Sizes: Square, Portrait, and Landscape

Square Posts

• Size: 1080 x 1080 px
• Ratio: 1:1
• Use for: Classic brand content, UGC, promos
• Tip: Still the safest choice for grid consistency

Portrait Posts

• Size: 1080 x 1350 px
• Ratio: 4:5
• Use for: Portrait photography, fashion, long-form visuals
• Why it works: Occupies more screen space = higher engagement

Landscape Posts

• Size: 1080 x 566 px
• Ratio: 1.91:1
• Use for: Wide visuals, event images, landscapes
• Heads-up: Can appear smaller, use bold, high-contrast visuals

Carousel Dimensions

Carousel posts remain a powerful storytelling tool in 2025, especially when paired with strong Content Production strategies that focus on sequencing, rhythm, and visual hooks.

• Preferred Size: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 ratio)
• New Grid Preview: 1012 x 1350 px (3:4 ratio)
• Important: All images in a carousel will default to the ratio of the first image

Carousels allow up to 10 slides and are ideal for:

• Product demos
• Story-driven content
• Before-and-after showcases
• Educational series

Stories, Reels & Ads: What’s New for 2025

Instagram Stories

• Size: 1080 x 1920 px
• Ratio: 9:16
• Use for: Daily updates, limited-time offers, BTS content
• Best Practices: Avoid placing key text near the top/bottom edge

Instagram Reels

• Size: 1080 x 1920 px
• Ratio: 9:16
• Grid Preview Crop: 4:5
• Use for: Short-form video, entertainment, how-tos

Reels are still favored by the algorithm in 2025, giving brands an edge for reach and discovery if sized correctly.

Instagram Ads (Feed & Story)

• Feed Ad Sizes:

• Square: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1)
• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)

• Story Ad Size: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
  
  

To maximize ROI, ads need to feel native. Use full-frame visuals with minimal text, and always keep your CTA within the “safe zones” of Instagram’s layout.

Profile & Highlight Cover Dimensions

Profile Photo

• Size: 320 x 320 px
• Shown As: Circle (displays at ~110 px diameter)
• Tip: Use a simplified logo, and center it

Highlight Covers

• Size: 1080 x 1920 px
• Ratio: 9:16
• Pro Tip: Instagram crops these into circles, so keep designs centered and minimal

Highlight covers create a more navigable user experience and strengthen your visual brand identity.

Optimize for Engagement

Optimizing your Instagram post sizes is a content strategy decision. Each content type has its place, and each size influences how users perceive and interact with your brand. When executed properly, formatting reinforces credibility, builds trust, and helps convert a passing viewer into an engaged follower or even a customer.

If you're ready to scale your presence and implement a more refined, data-backed visual strategy, it may be time to partner with a team that lives and breathes the algorithm. Spark Social offers a boutique, ROI-driven approach that keeps you at the forefront of what’s working right now on platforms like Instagram.

Spark Social, an award-winning boutique social media agency, continues to be recognized as an industry leader by several prestigious awards, including the Hermes Creative, Shorty Awards, MarCom, dotComm, NYX, and TITAN Health.