Latest Instagram Image Sizes

The oft-quoted phrase, “Content is King” was first coined in 1996 by none other than Bill Gates. It was the title of an essay written by Gates in 1996 where he referred to content as a commodity. Guess what - this holds true even now after almost 30 years since the phrase first came into existence.

So, what’s the secret to a stunning Instagram feed? Catchy Reels? Funny captions? Interactive Stories? Viewers are more likely to engage when your visuals are spot on. This is why using the right-sized Instagram image is crucial.

According to recent studies, Instagram posts saw a 5.5% increase in impressions from 2023 to 2024. This means that if the content is visually optimized, it draws in more viewers. Eye-catching perfectly sized images make your brand’s story more impactful.

In this guide, we’re going to uncover essential Instagram image sizes for 2025, the importance of getting them right and the optimal size for different post styles.

What is Instagram image size?

When it comes to Instagram image sizes, two key technical considerations are aspect ratio and pixel count.

Aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between an image’s width and height. On the other hand, pixels define the resolution; higher the pixels the sharper the image. The size of an Instagram image is directly related to the aspect ratio because it determines how well your image fits the platform’s format without any unnecessary cropping or distortion.

You must follow Instagram image size dimensions to ensure your images are optimized for display on the platform. Without the right size, your content can lose its impact. Remember that Instagram image size varies across formats. Getting it right can enhance your post’s reach.

Also Read: 40+ Instagram hacks that truly matter

Importance of knowing the right Instagram image size

Knowing the right Instagram image size isn’t just a technical detail; it’s the key to maximizing your brand’s impact as it can help with the following:

1. Image optimization

Correct image sizing ensures your content looks sharp and professional. It helps prevent blurry images or uneven cropping.

Zara, for instance, optimizes its Instagram images to maintain high visual appeal across devices. It ensures all its product photos are correctly sized to avoid cropping issues that could misrepresent its clothing items.

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💡Pro Tip: The downside of using a visual-heavy platform like Instagram, especially if you have a public account, is that anyone can access your images. Your unique designs and brand logo may fall victim to unauthorized use. How do you prevent that? Enter Sprinklr Insights! Its AI-powered Visual Insights tool detects unauthorized use of your brand’s visual assets. You can even identify counterfeit products, copyright infringements and unauthorized discounts, deals or promotions. The tool also offers:

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2. Visibility

The right image size boosts your post’s visibility. Instagram’s algorithm favors content with the right dimensions, making it more likely to appear on users’ feeds.

Take National Geographic Travel, for example. The brand uses the correct Instagram image sizes to showcase landscapes without cropping or distortion. By adhering to Instagram's image guidelines, the brand ensures that the visuals remain captivating, driving higher social media engagement.

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3. Engagement

Optimized visuals leave a stronger, lasting impact on your viewers. When your images are properly sized, they fully capture your audience's attention. High-quality, correctly formatted images keep followers engaged, which leads to more comments, shares and likes.

Read More: How to Use Instagram for Business in 8 Ways [+ Expert Tips]

4. Brand identity

Consistency is key to building a strong brand identity and reputation. When all your posts follow the right image size, your feed looks cohesive, reinforcing your brand’s visual identity.

Glossier, a popular beauty brand, maintains a cohesive Instagram feed by ensuring all its images follow Instagram’s recommended sizes. Glossier's consistent use of image dimensions creates a visually uniform and aesthetically pleasing feed that reflects its brand identity. This consistency helps build a strong, recognizable brand presence.

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Instagram image dimensions for different post styles

Choosing the right image size for Instagram is essential for optimizing visual content. Below are some of the best practices you need to follow:

1. Instagram photo

Recommended sizes:

Instagram photos can be square, landscape or vertical. The platform supports images within the range of 320-1,080 pixels (width) and 566-1,350 pixels (height), with an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5.

We recommend the following sizes for high-quality images:

• Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels, 1:1 aspect ratio
• Landscape: 1080 (width) x 566 (height) pixels, 1.91:1 aspect ratio
• Vertical: 1080 (width) x 1350 (height) pixels, 4:5 aspect ratio

For square posts, keeping the subject centered in the frame helps avoid unnecessary cropping when your post appears in your followers’ feeds. Landscape posts are perfect for capturing expansive scenes, such as landscapes or panoramic views. Wide-angle shots are particularly effective for these images, as they fully use the available space. The vertical format, on the other hand, is ideal for maximizing screen space.

Simplicity is key — a clean, straightforward design helps viewers digest your content easily without feeling overwhelmed. Overcrowding your frame with too many elements can make your content unintelligible.

So, stick to a consistent style to reinforce your brand’s identity. Be mindful of dark colors that might blend into Instagram’s UI.

Before clicking the publish button, preview your post to ensure it looks just as good on your mobile device as in the editing phase. Additionally, consider how your square posts will fit into your overall Instagram grid, as a cohesive feed can boost your brand’s overall aesthetic appeal.

Take Recess. The beverage brand has a visually appealing and cohesive Instagram feed, which jives well with its mission of making consumers feel calm, cool and collected.

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2. Instagram profile picture

Recommended size: 320 x 320 pixels, 1:1 aspect ratio

Though small, your Instagram profile picture plays a significant role in establishing your brand’s voice. Displayed as a circle, this image should be simple yet recognizable, as it is the first visual many users associate with your brand. Because the image is scaled down to a small size, it must remain clear and easy to identify.

Take Madewell, for instance. The clothing brand’s profile picture has its name in the center. The background is apt as it reminds users of the first thing they associate with the brand — jeans.

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Testing your profile picture on different backgrounds is a smart move. High contrast between the image and its background can help make it more prominent.

The key to a compelling profile picture is simplicity; overly detailed images lose their impact when scaled down. Therefore, choose a simple, memorable image that aligns with your brand’s identity.

3. Instagram Reels cover photo

Recommended size: 420 (width) x 654 (height) pixels, 1:1.55 aspect ratio

Instagram Reels, which are up to 90-second-long videos, keep people hooked on your content. Your Reel cover image is the first thing users see, so it’s essential to make it visually striking as well.

A strong, eye-catching cover image can grab attention in the feed and entice viewers to click on your Reel. When choosing an image for your cover, it’s important to keep the text content minimal and/or easy to read.

Using a high-resolution image is very important, as a low-quality cover could result in a pixelated or blurry first impression. Make sure the cover visually represents the content of the Reel and aligns with your overall brand tone. This provides consistency across your content and reinforces your brand identity. It’s also a good idea to test the cover in preview mode before finalizing it to ensure it looks appealing in both the feed and full-screen view.

Let’s take a look at AT&T. The telecommunications giant uses appealing, high-resolution images and carefully placed text for its Reel covers.

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4. Instagram Stories

Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels; 9:16 aspect ratio

The vertical format of Instagram Stories allows you to fill the entire screen, creating an immersive experience for viewers. Images within a Story are displayed for 5 seconds and remain visible for 24 hours. So, make each one count.

Adding interactive elements such as polls or questions can make your Story highlights more engaging. While it can be tempting to overload your Story with too much information, keeping the message concise is crucial.

You can also add your Stories to your profile highlights. To create an effective highlight cover, use bold and simple visuals that are easily recognizable even in smaller sizes. This will extend the lifespan of your best content and make it more accessible to your audience.

Consider the paint and paper brand Farrow and Ball. It uses earthy tones that are simple yet easy to recognize and reflect the brand’s aesthetics.

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5. Instagram carousels

Recommended sizes:

• Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels, 1:1 aspect ratio
• Landscape: 1080 (width) x 566 (height) pixels, 1.91:1 aspect ratio
• Vertical: 1080 (width) x 1350 (height) pixels, 4:5 aspect ratio

Instagram carousel posts help you share multiple images or videos in a single post. They are ideal for storytelling, tutorials or events, as they showcase a series of related images. To create a cohesive carousel, it’s important to maintain a consistent style across all slides. This could mean using similar colors, fonts or image compositions to create a unified visual experience.

Smooth transitions are key to keeping your viewers engaged. Each slide should add value to the overall story or message, whether through informative captions, bold visuals or a logical content progression. Captions play an essential role in carousel posts, so take the time to craft engaging captions that complement each slide and encourage users to swipe through the entire post.

American Red Cross does this perfectly. A non-profit organization that helps with disaster relief, it shares important, life-saving information in carousels with clean, consistent designs and easy-to-read texts.

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The first slide should be particularly eye-catching, setting the tone for the entire post. After all, it determines whether your viewers will continue swiping or not.

Avoid inconsistent styling across slides, as this can disrupt the flow of your carousel and make the content harder to follow. By using bold and engaging visuals and ensuring a smooth flow from slide to slide, you can create a carousel post that resonates with your audience and drives higher engagement.

💡Pro Tip️: While using the right Instagram image size is important, scheduling your posts at optimal times is also crucial to maximize engagement. But manual scheduling involves a lot of guesswork.

This is where Sprinklr Social’s publishing and scheduling tool can help. Its smart scheduling feature automatically suggests the optimal time for posting. You can select a date and get multiple recommended time slots. In addition, you can also do the following:

• Manage all your social accounts from a single dashboard
• Make channel-specific customizations based on audience demographics
• Set up multi-level publishing approval workflow so that your content is on-brand

What are you waiting for?

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Deep Dive: How to Schedule Instagram Posts in 3 Ways (+ Pro Tips)

How to make sure you get your Instagram image size right

Implementing these strategies will ensure that your content remains visually appealing and fully optimized for Instagram:

Implementing these strategies will ensure that your content remains visually appealing and fully optimized for Instagram:

1. Use design tools: Tools like Canva, Adobe and Figma offer pre-set Instagram templates. These tools ensure that your images are created in the correct dimensions. They also simplify the design process, so you don’t have to worry about manual resizing. This helps maintain consistent quality across your posts.
2. Upload the correct size: Always confirm your images match Instagram's recommended sizes before uploading. This helps avoid compression or awkward cropping by the platform. When you upload the correct size, your images remain sharp and visually appealing, preventing pixelation or blurry content.
3. Use AI tools for resizing: AI tools like Adobe Express and Canva Pro can automate image resizing for Instagram. These tools adjust your images to fit Instagram’s dimensions seamlessly. They also enhance image quality and improve the overall appearance. Using AI tools saves time and effort while providing professional-looking posts.
4. Stay updated with Instagram changes: Instagram frequently updates its platform, including image size guidelines. Check for these updates regularly to ensure your posts remain optimized. Staying informed helps you adjust your social media content strategy and keep your content fresh. And adapting to changes helps your brand maintain consistency across the platform.

Final thoughts

Think of Instagram as a stage where your brand performs, with images in the spotlight.

Get the dimensions wrong, and your visuals might be cropped, blurred or simply overlooked. Get them right, and you can capture your audience's attention. Perfectly sized images not only make your content look professional but also enhance visibility, boost engagement and ultimately, strengthen your brand's reputation.

In this guide, we've explored the importance of tailoring your images to different Instagram post types. Each format follows specific dimensions. Attention to these details can turn a rather simple post into a powerful brand statement.

But how do you ensure that all your posts are on-brand?

This is where Sprinklr Social comes in. It is a unified solution that helps you manage your content effortlessly. Access its AI-powered social media tools and leverage its social listening capabilities to gain performance insights across 10+ social channels to optimize your content for maximum impact.

Ready to give your brand the spotlight it deserves?