Instagram image sizes
| Format | Shape | Size in pixels |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait post | 4:5 | 1080 × 1350 |
| Tall portrait post | 3:4 | 1080 × 1440 |
| Square post | 1:1 | 1080 × 1080 |
| Landscape post | 1.91:1 | 1080 × 566 |
| Story or Reel | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 |
Instagram displays feed posts 1080 pixels wide. Larger photos are scaled down and smaller ones are scaled up, which looks soft. Photos outside the accepted shapes are cropped automatically.
How to resize a photo for Instagram
- Choose the size for where you’re posting.
- Choose the fit: crop to fill the frame, or keep the whole photo on a background.
- Add your photos. They’re resized to exactly 1080 pixels wide.
- Download them, send them to your phone if needed, and post as usual.
Crop or keep the whole photo?
- Crop to fill removes the edges equally from both sides, keeping the centre. It’s best when the subject is in the middle. For a different framing, use the crop tool first with the matching shape.
- Whole photo, white or black background adds plain borders. It’s popular for photography accounts and for posting landscape shots into a portrait grid.
- Whole photo, blurred background fills the borders with a soft, blurred copy of the photo. It suits Stories, where a small landscape photo would otherwise sit in an empty frame.
Getting the best quality on Instagram
- Post at exactly the sizes above, so Instagram doesn’t rescale your photo.
- In the Instagram app, turn on Upload at highest quality in your account’s data-usage settings, if your app version offers it.
- Avoid screenshots of photos; resize the original instead.
Privacy
Your photos are resized with Lanczos scaling in your browser, the same sharp method used in professional photo apps. Nothing is uploaded until you post it yourself.
Questions
Why does Instagram crop my photo?
Instagram accepts photos from 1.91:1 (wide) to 3:4 (tall) in the feed. Anything wider or taller is cropped, and Instagram chooses what's cut. Resizing to an accepted shape first lets you decide what's kept, or keep the whole photo with a background.
Which portrait size should I use, 4:5 or 3:4?
4:5 (1080 × 1350) has long been Instagram's standard tall post and is accepted everywhere, including scheduling tools. 3:4 (1080 × 1440) is newer, slightly taller and matches the profile grid previews. Both work when posting from the app.
How do I post a whole photo without cropping it?
Choose a "Whole photo" fit. The full photo is placed inside the frame on a white, black or blurred background, so nothing is cut off.
Why is the result a JPG?
Instagram converts every upload to JPG anyway. Giving it a high-quality JPG at exactly 1080 pixels wide means it's compressed only once, which keeps photos sharper.
Last reviewed 5 November 2026