Although Instagram videos are very popular, not every video makes it to the homepage or top of the explore page. But as a general rule, different videos serve different purposes and therefore have to meet different requirements.
If you want your videos and posts to perform well, you need to follow the rules. This means that you need to follow the size requirements for each type of video for example.
Currently, there are four different video formats on the Instagram platform. These are:
- Instagram Reels
- Feed videos
- Instagram Stories
- Instagram Live
In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Instagram video sizes, dimensions, and formats in 2023 – so your visual stories always look their best and you have more time to win over the algorithm.
Table of Contents
- Instagram video sizes
- Instagram video dimensions
- Video dimensions for Stories
- Instagram video aspect ratio
- Instagram video size limit
- Instagram video formats
- Instagram Image sizes, aspect ratio and resolutions
Instagram video sizes
Video size in reels
What are the size requirements for Instagram reels?
- 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
- Maximum file size 4 GB
The Instagram video size for Reels is 1080px * 1920px which is also known as Full HD or FHD. This is the default size for most videos on the platform, so you should have no trouble creating videos that fit these dimensions.
Tip: Reels can be up to 60 seconds long. Use the extra time to engage your audience! (Also being introduced, are Long Reels up to 90 seconds long, and the format is being tested by early users).
What is the optimal video size in feed
What are the size requirements for Instagram in-feed videos?
- 1:1, 1080 x 1080 px and 16:9, 1920 x 1080 px (landscape)
- 4:5, 1080 x 1350 px (portrait)
- Maximum file size 4 GB
The Instagram video size for feed videos is 1080px x 1350px, but you can also use 1080 x 1080, 1080 x 608, or 1080 x 1350 if necessary.
Tip: Videos sized at 1080px x 608px may be cropped or shortened in user feeds. Stick to the portrait and landscape sizes listed above for optimal viewing experience.
What is the optimal video size for Instagram Stories?
Basically, you can post anything in Instagram Stories, as you can zoom in and out of the selected image or video. However, it is beneficial if you take up the entire screen in Stories.
- Fullscreen: 9:16; 1080 x 1920 px
Tip: Don’t place important elements at the top and bottom of your Instagram Story, as that’s where your name, profile picture, and posting, liking, and sharing features will appear later.
Instagram Stories have roughly the same size requirements as Instagram Reels. Most reels are shot with the Instagram app to use effects, transitions, and music.
Video size in Live Video
What are the size requirements for Instagram Live?
- 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
- Maximum file size 4 GB
The size requirements for Instagram Live are similar to Stories and Reels, except that the duration for Live videos is much longer.
Note that Instagram Live broadcasts can only be recorded from the camera app. You need to open the app and start recording from there.
Tip: Before going live, make sure you have a strong and fast internet connection. A good rule of thumb is an upload speed of at least 500 kbit/s.
Instagram video dimensions
How are “dimensions” different from “size”? For most people in the social media world, the terms are interchangeable, but in this case we’re using dimensions to talk specifically about the length or height and width of videos.
Video dimensions for reels
What dimensions to use for Instagram reels?
- Vertical (1080 pixels x 1920 pixels)
Instagram Reels are designed to be viewed full screen, vertically, and on mobile devices. The best way to make sure your reels are the right size: shoot and edit directly on your phone.
Tip: Don’t forget to leave some space at the bottom of your reel for video captions! The bottom fifth of the screen is where the subtitle will be displayed.
Video dimensions in the feed
What video dimensions for Instagram feed videos?
- Vertical (1080 x 608 pixels)
- Horizontal (1080 x 1350 pixels)
Instagram feed videos can be either square or horizontal, but keep in mind that the Instagram app doesn’t rotate on mobile. If you want to share a video in widescreen format, it may display with black or white borders on both sides.
Tip: To avoid those annoying black boxes, stick to vertical videos.
Video dimensions for Stories
What video dimensions for Instagram Stories?
- Vertical (min 1080 x 608 pixels, max 1080 x 1920 pixels).
Like Reels, Stories were designed to be viewed vertically. So make sure you shoot your video on mobile or in portrait mode.
Tip: If you want your Story to fill the entire screen, shoot your video at 1080 x 1920 pixels.
Video dimensions for live video
What dimensions for Instagram Live?
- Vertical (1080 x 1920 pixels)
All Instagram Live videos are streamed directly from mobile devices and must be shot vertically.
Tip: The Instagram app does not allow you to rotate on your smartphone. Therefore, make sure to stay in portrait mode throughout the broadcast.
Instagram video aspect ratio
Aspect ratio Reels
Which aspect ratio for Instagram reels?
- 9:16
The aspect ratio of a video is the width in relation to the height. The first digit always represents the width and the second represents the height.
Your videos should always stay within Instagram’s recommended aspect ratio so that no content is cut off.
Tip: If you use Hootsuite Professional, Team, Business, or Enterprise, Hootsuite optimizes the width, height, and bitrate of your videos before publishing.
Aspect ratio for in feed videos
Which aspect ratio for in-feed videos?
- 4:5 (1.91:1 to 9:16 are supported).
You can also upload Instagram feed videos in square formats, with a size of 1080 x 1080 pixels or an aspect ratio of 1:1.
Tip: The majority of Instagram users access the app via a mobile device. Instagram videos in vertical or portrait format display better on these devices.
Aspect ratio for Stories
Which aspect ratio for Instagram Stories?
- 9:16
Like Reels and Live broadcasts, Stories work best when shot in portrait mode.
Tip: More than 500 million Instagram accounts view Stories every day. If you haven’t experimented with this format yet, it’s time to start.
Aspect ratio for Live Video
Which aspect ratio for Instagram Live Video?
- 9:16
Conveniently, Instagram Live’s aspect ratio is set within the app. Note: once you start filming, you won’t be able to change the size.
Tip: Download your Instagram Live video and upload it to your feed, website, or Reels later!
Instagram video size limit
Reels size limit
What is the size limit of Instagram Reels?
- 4 GB (current video length 60 seconds).
The size of Instagram videos for Reels is limited to 4 GB for 60 seconds of recorded video. We recommend staying under 15 MB to reduce upload time.
Tip: 9 out of 10 Instagram users watch video content weekly. Post reels regularly to grab their attention.
Size limit in feed
What is the size limit for Instagram in-feed videos?
- 650 MB (for videos 10 minutes long or shorter).
- 3.6 GB (for 60-minute videos).
Instagram allows up to 650 MB for videos 10 minutes long or less. Your video can be up to 60 minutes long as long as it doesn’t exceed 3.6 GB.
Tip: The ideal Instagram video format is MP4 with H.264 codec and AAC audio.
Stories size limit
What is the size limit for Instagram Stories?
- 4 GB (15 seconds of video).
The size limit for Instagram videos in Stories is 4 GB per 15 seconds of video. Keep in mind that if your Story is longer than 15 seconds, Instagram will split it into 15-second blocks. Each of these blocks can be up to 4 GB in size.
Tip: Some of the most active brands on Instagram post 17 Stories a month.
Live Video Size Limit
What’s the size limit for Instagram Live Video?
- 4 GB (4 hours of video)
The maximum size of Instagram live video is 4 GB for 4 hours of video. This is an update from Instagram, previously the time limit was 60 minutes.
Tip: Keep an eye on the clock while going live to avoid exceeding your time limit.
Instagram video formats
Reels Video Formats
What file formats are supported by Instagram Reels?
- MP4
- MOV
Instagram currently allows MP4 and MOV formats when uploading reels.
Tip: MP4 is highly recommended for reels, stories, and in-feed videos.
In-Feed Video Formats
What file formats are allowed for Instagram In-feed videos?
- MP4
- MOV
- GIF
In-feed video posts can be uploaded in MP4, MOV, or GIF formats.
Tip: Although Instagram videos in feed can use GIFs, it is recommended to use a third-party app like Giphy instead of uploading them directly from your smartphone.
Stories video formats
Instagram Stories support the following file formats:
- MP4
- MOV
- GIF
Instagram Stories supports the use of MP4, MOV, or GIF file formats.
Tip: If your uploaded Story is blurry, you may need to adjust the size of your image. Our list of Instagram video resizing tools follows below.
Live Video Formats
Instagram Live Video allows the following file formats:
- MP4
- MOV
When you go live, Instagram will create your video in either MP4 or MOV format.
Tip: If you’re downloading your live broadcast to post later, be sure to check the file size before uploading it to your Instagram feed.
Instagram Image sizes, aspect ratio and resolutions
Why is the right image size or resolution important?
Because Instagram compresses images and videos, you should always share your content at an optimal resolution. This way you avoid that the image quality is degraded by the compression. Again, the image size is expressed by two numbers that describe the number of pixels. The first number stands for the width and the second for the height.
Why is the correct aspect ratio important?
The aspect ratio describes the relationship between the width of an image and its height, where the first digit is the width and the second is the height.
If you don’t post your images with the correct aspect ratio, Instagram will automatically crop your images. As a result, important elements could simply be cut off.
What is the optimal image size for photo posts on Instagram?
You’ll notice that most images in your news feed appear as a square. However, there are two other ways to post a photo: in addition to the classic square, you can post your images in landscape format (Landscape) or portrait format (Portrait):
- Square: 1:1, 1080 x 1080 px
- Landscape: 16:9, 1080 x 608 px
- Portrait / portrait format: 4:5, 1080 x 1350 px
Tip: Create your photo posts in portrait mode if possible. This way your post will take up more of the screen space and generate more attention. To upload an image as a portrait, you need to tap on the two small arrows at the bottom left when creating a new post after selecting your portrait image.