Getting your Instagram video size wrong doesn't just look bad Instagram may crop it, compress it, or display it in a way you didn't intend. This guide covers the exact dimensions, aspect ratios, file sizes, and formats for every Instagram video type.
Instagram Video Sizes — All Formats at a Glance
Before going into each format individually, here's a full comparison. Most people searching for Instagram video size want exactly this one clear reference they don't have to hunt through paragraphs to find.
|
Format |
Dimensions |
Aspect Ratio |
Frame Rate |
Max File Size |
Max Length |
Supported Formats |
|
Reels |
1080×1920px |
9:16 |
30 FPS |
4GB |
15 minutes |
MP4, MOV |
|
Stories |
1080×1920px |
9:16 |
23–60 FPS |
4GB per 15 sec |
60 seconds |
MP4, MOV, GIF |
|
Carousel |
1080×1080px / 1080×1350px |
1:1 or 4:5 |
23–60 FPS |
4GB |
60 minutes |
MP4, MOV |
|
Live |
1080×1920px |
9:16 |
— |
— |
4 hours |
— |
What's worth noting here is that these aren't arbitrary numbers. Each format is built around how users actually consume content on mobile. Vertical, full-screen, fast. The specs follow that logic.
Also Read: Planets Snapchat
Instagram Reels Video Size and Specs
Reels are Instagram's primary video format right now. They're built for vertical, full-screen viewing on mobile which is why the dimensions lean heavily on portrait.
Dimensions and Aspect Ratio
The recommended Instagram Reels size is 1080×1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. If you shoot directly on your phone in portrait mode, you're already in the right ballpark. Where things go wrong is when people export landscape footage and try to fit it into Reels without adjusting it will either get cropped or display with distracting black bars on the sides.
File Size, Length, and Format
- Max file size: 4GB
- Video length: 3 seconds to 15 minutes
- In-app recording limit: 90 seconds (uploading from your camera roll allows up to 15 minutes)
- Frame rate: 30 FPS
- Recommended formats: MP4, MOV
- Audio codec: AAC recommended for better audio output
In practice, MP4 is what most editing apps export by default and it's the most consistently compatible format across Instagram's upload system.
Safe Zone Guidance for Reels
This is something a lot of creators overlook until they publish. The bottom portion of the screen roughly the bottom fifth is where Instagram displays your caption, username, and audio attribution. If you place text, a logo, or a key visual element in that zone, it will get covered.
Keep anything important within the middle 70–80% of the frame. The top of the screen can also be partially obscured by the interface on some devices, so treat it with similar caution.
Instagram Stories Video Size and Specs
Reels are Instagram's primary video format right now, and according to Wikipedia, Reels averages 150 billion views a day as of November 2024. They're built for vertical, full-screen viewing on mobile which is why the dimensions lean heavily on portrait.
Dimensions and Aspect Ratio
Stories use 1080×1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio, identical to Reels in terms of canvas. The minimum accepted width is 500 pixels, though anything below 1080px will noticeably lose sharpness on modern screens.
The Stories format itself has deep roots across social platforms planet snap reflects how Snapchat, which pioneered the disappearing vertical Story concept, continues to build features around that same full-screen mobile canvas that Instagram later adopted.
File Size, Length, and Format
- Max file size: 4GB per 15-second block
- Video length: 1–60 seconds per Story clip
- Frame rate: 23–60 FPS
- Supported formats: MP4, MOV, GIF
One practical thing to know if your Story video is longer than 15 seconds, Instagram automatically splits it into separate 15-second segments. Each segment is treated as its own upload with its own 4GB limit.
Instagram Carousel Video Size and Specs
Carousels let you combine multiple videos or a mix of videos and images in a single swipeable post. They work differently from Reels in one important way: carousel videos don't appear in the Reels tab and don't benefit from the same algorithmic reach.
Dimensions and Aspect Ratio
Two dimensions are supported:
- 1080×1080px — square format (1:1 aspect ratio)
- 1080×1350px — portrait format (4:5 aspect ratio)
Square works well when you're mixing video and photo content in the same carousel, since it keeps the layout consistent regardless of content type.
File Size, Length, and Format
- Max file size: 4GB per video
- Video length: 3 seconds to 60 minutes
- Frame rate: 23–60 FPS
- Supported formats: MP4, MOV
Sixty minutes is a generous upper limit but in practice, most carousel videos perform best when kept short and punchy. Long carousel videos are rarely watched in full.
Instagram Live Video Size and Specs
Instagram Live is a broadcast format, not an upload one. You can't pre-record and submit — it streams in real time.
Dimensions and Broadcast Specs
- Recommended dimensions: 1080×1920px
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- Maximum duration: 4 hours per broadcast
Because Live uses your device camera directly, there are no upload format settings to configure. The quality of your stream depends on your device, camera quality, and internet connection not on file export settings.
In-Feed Videos Are Now Treated as Reels
This is something that catches people off guard. As reported by TechCrunch, Instagram now automatically shares any new video post shorter than 15 minutes as a Reel. If you post a standalone video directly to your Instagram feed not as a Story, not in a carousel Instagram classifies it as a Reel automatically.
That means it follows Reel specs (1080×1920px, 9:16 ratio), it can appear in the Reels tab, and it has access to the same discoverability features. There is no longer a separate "feed video" format.
What File Format Should You Use for Instagram Videos?
Across every format, MP4 is the most reliable choice. It's universally compatible, compresses well without visible quality loss, and is the default export format in most editing software.
MOV works too; it's Apple's native format and uploads cleanly from iPhone or Final Cut Pro exports.
GIF is only supported for Stories, and the file size limits mean it's only practical for short, simple animations.If you're unsure what your editing app is exporting, check the file extension before uploading. A file saved as .avi or .wmv may not upload at all, or will display poorly.
Horizontal and Square Videos on Instagram
Neither competitor addressed this clearly so here's the short version. Horizontal (16:9) video: Instagram accepts it, but it won't fill the screen in Reels or Stories. It will display with black bars top and bottom, or get cropped. Not ideal. Square (1:1) video: Works best in Carousels. In Reels or Stories, it will also show black bars or cropping.
The honest recommendation: if you're creating content specifically for Instagram, shoot or export vertically at 9:16. This vertical-first standard is now the default across social video platforms Snapchat planets and Snapchat's broader video ecosystem are built entirely around the same 9:16 portrait format,
Which tells you everything about where mobile content consumption has settled. If you're repurposing content from another platform, use a tool to reframe it before uploading. Don't just upload and hope.
Conclusion
For most Instagram video formats, 1080×1920px at 9:16 is the size to work with. Carousels differ from square or 4:5 portrait work better there. Stick to MP4, stay within the file size limits, and mind the safe zone on Reels. That covers the majority of what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct Instagram video size for Reels?
1080×1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio. Frame rate should be 30 FPS, and MP4 is the recommended format. Maximum file size is 4GB.
Are Instagram Stories and Reels the same size?
Both use 1080×1920px at 9:16 — but Stories max out at 60 seconds per clip, while Reels can run up to 15 minutes.
What is the Instagram video file size limit?
4GB across Reels, Stories, and Carousels. For Stories, that 4GB limit applies per 15-second block, not the full video.
Can I upload a horizontal video to Instagram?
Yes, but it won't display well. Instagram is built for vertical viewing horizontal videos appear letterboxed or get cropped in most formats. For a quick apk download of tools that help reformat videos, check compatible mobile apps.
Do carousel videos show up in the Reels tab?
No. Carousel videos are a separate format and don't appear in the Reels tab or benefit from Reels-specific distribution.
