A Complete Guide to Instagram Video Sizes

Ideal Sizes for Instagram Feed Videos

When it comes to Instagram Feed videos, selecting the ideal size is crucial for ensuring your content looks its best and captures the audience's attention. Here are the ideal sizes and some tips for Instagram Feed videos:

1. Square Videos (1:1 Aspect Ratio)

Ideal Resolution: 1080 x 1080 pixels.

Why It Works: Square videos are a classic on Instagram. They fit well in the feed and are easy to view without turning the device, making them user-friendly.

Best For: General posts, product showcases, or any content where you want a balanced, clean look.

2. Portrait Videos (4:5 Aspect Ratio)

Ideal Resolution: 1080 x 1350 pixels.

Why It Works: Portrait videos take up more space in the feed, making them more engaging as they are larger in the viewer's feed.

Best For: More detailed content, storytelling, or when you want to make a stronger visual impact.

3. Landscape Videos (16:9 Aspect Ratio)

Ideal Resolution: 1080 x 608 pixels.

Why It Works: Though less common, landscape videos can be effective for cinematic content or when the video originally exists in a widescreen format.

Best For: Scenic views, cinematic content, and videos originally shot in landscape mode.

Standard Sizes for IGTV Videos

IGTV, Instagram's platform for longer-form video content, allows creators to upload videos up to 60 minutes long. Here's a breakdown of the ideal dimensions for IGTV:

Aspect Ratios:

Vertical Format (Portrait): 9:16 aspect ratio.

Horizontal Format (Landscape): 16:9 aspect ratio.

Ideal Resolutions:

For Vertical Videos: 1080 x 1920 pixels.

For Horizontal Videos: 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Standard Size for Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels, the platform's answer to short, engaging video content, requires careful consideration of video size for optimal impact. Here’s a guide to the ideal sizes for Instagram Reels:

Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Vertical).

Ideal Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels.

Ideal Size for Carousel Video Ads

Instagram Carousel Ads are a unique format that allows businesses to showcase multiple videos or images in a single ad. Each carousel card can be a video, offering a dynamic way to tell a story or showcase multiple products. Here's a guide to the ideal sizes for Instagram Carousel Video Ads:

Aspect Ratio: Recommended aspect ratio is 1:1 (square) for each video in the carousel.

Resolution: The optimal resolution is 1080 x 1080 pixels. This ensures clarity and consistency across all carousel cards.

Key Specifications

Video Length: Each video in the carousel can be up to 60 seconds long.

File Size: The maximum file size for videos is 4GB per video.

Video Format: MP4 or MOV format is preferred for Instagram video ads.

Frame Rate: A maximum frame rate of 30 frames per second.

Aspect Ratios and Instagram Video Resolutions

Understanding aspect ratios and resolutions is essential for creating visually appealing and properly formatted videos on Instagram. Here's a breakdown of what aspect ratios and resolutions mean and how they apply to Instagram videos.

Aspect Ratios Explained

Aspect Ratio: This refers to the width and height of a video, typically expressed as a ratio like 16:9 or 4:5. It dictates the shape of your video - whether it's more square, rectangular, or somewhere in between.

Here are some common aspect ratios:

1:1 (Square): Often used for Instagram feed videos. Perfect for ensuring visibility in the feed without needing to turn the device.

4:5 (Vertical): Ideal for feed videos that you want to take up more vertical space, offering more screen real estate without going full screen.

9:16 (Full Screen): Used for Stories, Reels, and IGTV, filling the entire screen of a mobile device. Great for immersive, engaging content.

Resolutions Explained

Video Resolution: This refers to the number of pixels that make up the width and height of your video. Higher resolution means more pixels, leading to clearer and more detailed images.

Here are some common ideal ig video resolutions:

For Feed (1:1 and 4:5): 1080 x 1080 pixels (square) or 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5) are recommended for high-quality visuals.

Stories and Reels (9:16): 1080 x 1920 pixels is the standard, ensuring full-screen, high-definition quality.

For IGTV (9:16 or 16:9): 1080 x 1920 pixels for vertical videos or 1920 x 1080 pixels for horizontal videos.

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Tips for Optimal Video Quality

Maintain High Resolution: Always aim for the highest resolution within the recommended limits to ensure your videos are clear and professional.

Choose the Right Aspect Ratio: Select an aspect ratio that suits your content type and desired viewer experience. For instance, Stories and Reels are more engaging in full-screen mode, while feed videos can vary.

Avoid Black Bars: Use the correct aspect ratio to prevent black bars from appearing on the sides or top and bottom of your video.

Test Different Formats: Experiment with various aspect ratios and resolutions to see what works best for your content and audience.

How to Resize Videos for Instagram

Resizing videos for Instagram to fit the various format requirements (like for Feed, Stories, IGTV, and Reels) is crucial for ensuring that your content looks its best on the platform. Here are steps and tips on how to effectively resize videos for Instagram:

1. Understanding Instagram's Requirements

Know the Aspect Ratios: For Feed videos, use 1:1 (square), 4:5 (portrait), or 16:9 (landscape). Stories and Reels require a 9:16 (vertical) ratio, and IGTV can be 9:16 or 16:9.

Resolution Matters: Aim for a resolution of at least 1080 pixels wide to maintain video quality.

2. Using Video Editing Software

Professional Tools: Use software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve. These tools offer advanced options for resizing and exporting videos in specific aspect ratios and resolutions.

Free and User-Friendly Options: Tools like iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, or online platforms like Kapwing and Canva can be used for basic video editing and resizing.

Suggested Article- Best Free Video Cutter Software

3. Resizing Steps

Import Your Video: Open your video in the editing software.

Select Aspect Ratio: Choose the aspect ratio that matches your intended Instagram format (e.g., 1:1 for Feed, 9:16 for Stories).

Resize and Crop: Adjust the video within the frame to ensure the main subject is visible and well-framed. Be mindful of not cutting off important parts of the video.

Editing and Enhancements: Make any additional edits like color correction, adding text, or effects.

Export with Correct Settings: Export the video in the highest resolution possible, adhering to Instagram's size limits.

4. Using Mobile Apps for Resizing

Dedicated Apps: Apps like InShot, Videoleap, or Adobe Premiere Rush are designed for mobile users to easily resize and edit videos.

Simple Process: These apps usually offer preset aspect ratios for different social media platforms, including Instagram.

5. Testing and Adjusting

Preview Before Posting: Test the video by viewing it on a mobile device to ensure it appears as expected.

Adjust if Necessary: If something looks off (like poor framing or quality), go back and make necessary adjustments.

6. Additional Tips

Maintain Quality: Always start with the highest quality video you have. Resizing can sometimes affect video quality, so starting high can mitigate this.

Avoid Over-Cropping: Be careful not to crop out essential parts of the video. This is particularly important for videos with text or key visual elements.