Using the right Instagram image sizes keeps your feed and Stories sharp and avoids cropping surprises. Here’s a quick reference for 2026: recommended dimensions for feed posts, Stories, Reels, and carousels so your content always looks intentional.
Instagram feed post dimensions (2026)
Square: 1080×1080 px (1:1). Safe default for single images. Portrait: 1080×1350 px (4:5). Great for reach. Landscape: 1080×566 px (1.91:1). Use when the asset is horizontal. Instagram will crop to fit; design to the aspect ratio you want so key elements aren’t cut off.
Instagram Stories and Reels
Stories: 1080×1920 px (9:16). Full-screen vertical. Reels: 1080×1920 px (9:16), up to 90 seconds (or longer where available). Same aspect ratio as Stories so you can repurpose. Keep important text and faces in the center to avoid being covered by UI.
Carousel posts
Each slide can use the same feed dimensions (1080×1080 or 1080×1350). Keep aspect ratio consistent across slides for a clean swipe-through. Plan captions and visuals in one place—tools like Athenous Lab help you draft carousel copy and Post lets you schedule the full set.
Quick checklist
Export at 1080 px on the longest side; match aspect ratio to format (1:1, 4:5, 9:16). Check preview in the app before scheduling. For more on planning and scheduling, see how to schedule Instagram posts in 2026 and building a content calendar with AI.
Try Athenous for free
Plan captions in Lab, schedule Instagram (and LinkedIn, Facebook) in Post. Start with a free trial—no credit card required.
Start free trial