We should have named this post “Reel Deal” because All the details you need to properly format your Instagram Reels. this is the only one The cheat sheet you need for Instagram Real sizes and features.
Below, you’ll find features, proportions, formatting tips, and more – everything you need to make your Instagram Reels look great without any clever puns (sigh).
(Psst: If you need a refresher on Instagram’s latest content format before you dig into the numbers, brush up on our beginner’s guide to Instagram Reels here or our Instagram Reels editing guide here.)
Why are Instagram Reel sizes important?
If you’re going to take the time to make an Instagram Reel, it can look as good as possible, right?
You’ve spent weeks drilling into the company mascot and picking the best Instagram Reels hashtags in the finer points of the latest Doja Cat dance routine. Don’t ruin this marketing gimmick with one silly little formatting mistake!
If you upload images or videos that do not have the correct proportions or dimensions, you risk various unpleasant consequences. If it’s the wrong shape, it can stretch and break. Very big? You may experience a strange crop. If you upload low-resolution media, you risk a final product that will be pixelated and ugly when inflated to fill the screen.
None of this is the end of the world, of course. But they certainly don’t make a great impression of your brand (unless, of course, the impression you’re aiming for is “unprofessional slopster”).
Even if the content of the reel is an Oscar-worthy performance (I assume your Doja-Cat-mascot-dance), an awkwardly stretched frame will distract the viewer from the moment… and likely keep going. next video (I think yours your opponent dancing mascot video).
And here’s another good reason to care about Instagram Reel sizes: The Instagram Reels algorithm tends to favor videos with quality images. Therefore, using the correct Instagram Reels sizes when editing and uploading your video will give you the best chance of getting your masterpiece everywhere.
Instagram Reel sizes 2022
These are the Instagram Reel sizes for 2022, but be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for the most up-to-date information… because like any other social media size, Instagram Reel sizes don’t change forever.
As Instagram goes through updates, these dimensions and dimensions may change to accommodate the app’s new layouts, so keep your ears to the ground (or whatever works, keep your eyes on this post).
Instagram Reel cover size: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 am
Recommended upload size: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels.
There is very little we can control in this world. Fortunately, your Instagram Reel cover photo is one of them.
Here is how to choose your Instagram Reel cover:
- Create an Instagram Reel, press “next”.
- You are now in the Sharing settings. Tap on the preview image (which says “cover”)
- Add a frame from your video or tap “add from camera roll” to keep track of your photo album.
- Do you want to crop the picture? Tap “crop profile picture” on the sharing settings screen and then reposition or zoom in or out.
Instagram Real thumbnail size: 1080 pixels x 1080 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 1:1
Screen size: 1080 pixels x 1080 pixels
Recommended upload size: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
Once you’ve chosen the perfect image for your Instagram Reels cover (see the tip above!), you can crop it to a grid-appropriate thumbnail for your main feed.
When the cover is in a 9:16 ratio, the thumbnail that appears in your feed will be cropped and 1:1 square.
Therefore, for best results, choose an image of 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels, but 1080 pixels x 1080 pixels area that will be suitable for trimming down.

Reel size on Instagram: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
Aspect ratio in full screen mode: 9:16 am
Aspect ratio in Instagram feed: 4:5
Recommended upload size: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels.
One thing to keep in mind when shooting or editing your Instagram Reel is this: aspect ratio changes depending on where your viewer is watching it.
If viewed in full screen, it’s a 9:16 ratio, but if they catch your video in their news feed, it’s cropped to 4:5… which means that about a third of the frame is cut.


If you want every viewer to have a great experience (and they don’t?!), make sure the most important elements of your video are in the center of the frame and nothing important is hidden around the edges. Where can they disappear?
Also, when viewed fullscreen, the bottom of the Reel is where the title and comments are displayed, so this is another good reason to avoid displaying important content at the edges of the screen.
Another important tip: The reels are the same size as Instagram Stories if knowing about branded collateral or using these great free Instagram Stories design templates helps.
Instagram Reels compression size
Instagram shrinks anything that is 1080 pixels wide to 1080 pixels.
Conversely, images and video need to be at least 320px wide: If you upload anything smaller, it will automatically resize up to 320px.
Any image with a width between 320 and 1080 pixels will remain at its original resolution “as long as the aspect ratio of the photo is between 1.91:1 and 4:5”. (Other ratios will be automatically cropped to match the supported ratio.)
Instagram Reels size in pixels: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
Instagram Reels are tracked in portrait orientation, so videos and photos 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels high (aspect ratio 9:16).
Instagram Reels aspect ratio: 9:16
Viewing Instagram Reels in full screen mode the frame is 9:16.
However, if someone is watching your Reel in their main stream, the video will be cropped at 4:5. That’s two-thirds of the full-screen viewing experience, so be sure to keep important images and information away from the edges of the frame.
Instagram Reel frame size: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
Want to make sure your Instagram Reel is properly proportioned so it doesn’t stretch or crop? Upload images and photos. 1080 pixels wide x 1920 pixels tall.
Note that for Instagram users viewing your Reels in their news feed, the frame size will change: Instagram will crop your Reel up to a 4:5 ratio.
Another important piece of information: The bottom of the reel is where your comments and captions are, so it’s best to avoid placing important visual information below the fold.
Instagram Reels length: Up to 60 seconds
Instagram Reels can now be 60 seconds long. This can be a long continuous video or a combination of clips and images that add up to 60 seconds.
However, shorter videos tend to have higher engagement, so keep it short and sweet if possible!
Instagram Reels caption length: 2,200 characters
You can write a title up to: 2,200 characters (contains spaces and emojis) to describe your Instagram Reel.
Don’t forget to save some of these characters for your Instagram Reels hashtags!

Ok, that’s it from us! You have all the Instagram Reels metrics you need to make sure your content looks its best. Follow these best practices recommended by Instagram itself! – and your videos will soon be at the top of the Discover page.
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