Episode 93
The Instagram Sizing Show
June 16, 2017 · Mike Murphy
EP93: THE INSTAGRAM SIZING SHOW How to size photos and videos for Instagram & Instagram Stories. Episode Summary: What file types are accepted on Instagram? What aspect ratios can be used on Instagram? What are the best pixel dimensions for Instagram? How do I prepare my photos and vides for Instagram & Instagram Stories?
Episode Summary: A practical follow-up to the Pixels 101 episode — exactly how to size photos and videos for Instagram’s main feed and Instagram Stories, file types, aspect ratios, and pixel dimensions included.
What You’ll Learn
- What file types and video lengths Instagram accepts, feed vs. Stories
- The exact pixel dimensions for every Instagram post format: square, horizontal, vertical, and Stories
- How Mike’s own export settings differ from Instagram’s minimums for extra quality headroom
- Why aspect ratio fundamentals from Episode 92 carry directly into Instagram sizing decisions
The Two Sides of Instagram
Instagram Feed — where photos and videos get posted and browsed for accounts you follow. Instagram Stories — similar to Snapchat, with its own size requirements, built for ongoing 24-hour posts.
Past episodes on Instagram: Episode 37: The Instagram Show and Episode 49: The Instagram Stories Show.
What File Types Does Instagram Accept?
Photos: JPEG or PNG. Animated GIFs are not supported — Boomerang from Instagram is the closest alternative. Videos: Instagram accepts a range of formats, but H.264 codec with an .mp4 extension is the safest bet.
Video Length Limits
- Main feed: 60 seconds or less
- Instagram Stories: 10 seconds or less
Aspect Ratios & Dimensions
Builds directly on Episode 92: The Pixels 101 Show — aspect ratio is the width-to-height relationship of a photo or video. The most popular aspect ratio for video is 16:9 (wide), typically 1920×1080px HD. Resolution (measured in PPI) applies to photos, usually 72–96 PPI; PPI isn’t a concern for video.
How to Size Photos and Videos for Instagram
Profile image: 1:1 (square). Instagram’s recommended size is 160×160px, but any 1:1 image works — Mike uses 1024×1024px (overkill, but Instagram scales it down cleanly).
Square posts: 1:1. Instagram’s spec is 1080×1080px at 72 DPI for photos, 1080×1080px H.264 .mp4 for video. Mike’s own settings: 2048×2048px at 96 PPI (photos), 1920×1920px H.264 (video).
Horizontal, option 1 (16:9 wide): Instagram’s spec is 1920×1080px at 72 DPI (photos) or 1920×1080px / 1280×720px H.264 (video). Mike’s settings: 2048×2048px at 96 PPI (photos), 1920×1920px H.264 (video).
Horizontal, option 2 (1.91:1 wide): Instagram/Facebook spec is 1200×630px or 1080×566px for photos and video. Mike’s settings: 1800×945px.
Vertical (4:5 portrait): Instagram’s spec is 864×1080px or 1080×1350px for photos and video.
Instagram Stories (9:16 tall): 1080×1920px at 72 DPI for photos, 1920×1080px H.264 for video.