What size should a photo or video be on Instagram so it looks right and doesn’t get cropped when we post it in an Instagram Story? That is the classic question people ask when they start out on the photo-led social network. In this lesson of the Instagram Academy we decided to tackle it: Instagram stories resolution.
The resolution of a photo or video in an Instagram story is worth paying attention to, since the format is unusual compared with the usual image sizes, being vertical. Let’s go through the photo and video dimensions and the resolution for Instagram stories in detail, so you make no mistakes and miss nothing.
Ready? Let’s start.
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Photo resolution in Instagram stories: which is the right one?
For anyone working with Instagram, knowing the different image formats is essential. Instagram stories: what resolution? The same as the images you post? The answer is no — there are different formats to keep in mind.
Let’s go through them.
There are several photo sizes on Instagram.
We have:
- Profile picture
- Photos and posts shown in the newsfeed
- Thumbnails
- Stories
Free image from Pixabay
Profile picture
Let’s start with the profile photo, which is square: 160×160 pixels. Images down to a minimum of 110×110 pixels are accepted. As you know, in a digital format we measure in pixels.
The recommended upload format is JPG, or PNG, though the latter tends to be heavier.
Tip: if there is no transparency in the image that has to be preserved, upload your Instagram profile photo as a JPG.
Newsfeed
The images we publish as newsfeed posts use the classic 1:1 format but can also go vertical or horizontal.
In detail:
- horizontal: 1080×566 pixels
- vertical: 1080×1350 pixels
- square: 1080×1080 pixels
Thumbnails
The gallery thumbnails are square as well, specifically 161×161 pixels.
Stories
The resolution for Instagram stories is the most searched-for detail on the web, since the format tends to differ from every other one used before. So what resolution do Instagram stories use?
The resolution of a photo or story on Instagram is 1080×1920 pixels.
When we talk about what resolution to use for Instagram stories, we also need to know what DPI to save at. These are fine details that, if you are working on this network as an amateur, you don’t need to know. For your own reference: for the web you generally save at 72DPI.
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Instagram stories resolution: video
As we all know, Instagram stories are not only images but also, above all, video. You can shoot live on your phone holding it vertically, but at a professional level videos are made in professional software and uploaded to the network afterwards.
Instagram stories resolution, video format:
- the file has to be in format: .MOV, .MP4 or .GIF
- recommended aspect ratio: 9:16
- the file must be no larger than 2.3 GB
- maximum length for story videos: 15 seconds (longer videos will still upload but the stories get cut into pieces, which does not make for a good viewer experience)
Free image from Pixabay
Instagram stories resolution: some useful advice
Now that we have gone through the different photo sizes in Instagram stories and have no doubts left, we can take a couple of minutes to list the apps that help you get a professional result without any specific design skills.
We made a list of the apps users themselves rate most highly.
Unfold
One of the most downloaded apps on the web, it gets you a very appealing effect simply.
Elegant in style, it lets you create image collages or customisable effects for a single image: there are plenty of templates to choose from.
Once set up, the photo has to be exported and uploaded to Instagram.
Over
Every good image is usually tied to a phrase, a caption or a quote.
This app lets you add text to your photos, producing an image ready to upload.
Ripl
This app is perhaps the most complete of all. You can choose and edit every element, from the image to the text.
You can also add music or a song before exporting and have everything ready to upload.
Conclusion
In this lesson of your favourite Instagram Academy we went through every possible photo size on Instagram with a specific focus on the resolution of Instagram stories.
We saw what to consider before importing a photo as a profile picture, a post, a thumbnail or a story, and that the web is full of apps that get you a professional effect simply and free of charge.
In short, the Instagram world is full of details and nuances, and knowing them is what gets you a genuinely professional result.
We will see you in the next lessons, where we will go deeper into other Instagram subjects you are sure to find interesting. Stay tuned and keep following your favourite Instagram Academy.
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