101 Instagram Video Size Guide 2024

A video size matters the most on Instagram. Instagram is a visual platform, and if your video is pixelated or cropped from the edges, viewers will skip it. Therefore, choosing the appropriate dimensions and video formats is important to create visually appealing content.

Also, Instagram has given some basic requirements for publishing videos. So, if your videos are appropriately sized, the algorithm will likely start favoring them and show them more to the general audience.

Therefore, you must understand and select the right size for your videos to create ideally sized videos that are optimized for the Instagram feed screen.

Before selecting a video size for your Instagram content, you must understand some technical terms. Here, we have explained these terms in simple words:

#1 Aspect ratios

When creating a video, you must first consider the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio defines how tall and wide your video is for the Instagram screen. This ratio ultimately affects how your video appears in the main feed. When a video is created with wrong aspect ratios, it will get cropped from the edges. Therefore, you must select the correct aspect ratio for all your videos.

For example, Instagram has three aspect ratios: 1:1 (square), 4:5 (vertical), or 16:9 (horizontal) for sharing videos. If you create videos with these ratios, your videos will fit the size of your Instagram feed and look more professional.

#2 Video Resolutions

The next factor you must consider while selecting a video size for your Instagram videos is video resolution. Video resolution is basically how clear or sharp your video is. The higher the resolution, the clearer the video appears. On Instagram, you can post HD videos up to a resolution of 1080p. If you want to share high-quality videos with your Instagram audience, always focus on creating videos with a better resolution.

#3 File size and Video Formats

Imagine sharing your favorite video with your audience and realizing it was never published due to its wrong format. Therefore before you upload any video on your Instagram video, choose an appropriate file size and format.

For example, on Instagram, you can upload a 10-minute video with a maximum size of 650 MB and a 60-minute video with a size limit of 3.6 GB. Also, you can publish your Instagram videos in mp4, .mpv, and gif formats. However, always remember to convert the gif to a video file when you are uploading a gif video to your Instagram account.

Now that you understand these technical terms, let’s find out the ideal size and specifications for each Instagram video type.

On Instagram, you can create up to five different types of videos with different styles. Here are all the types of videos Instagram supports with their ideal size and dimensions:

#1 Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are short videos like TikTok. Recently, these videos have gained more popularity than any other video type on Instagram. Earlier, you could only share reels with a maximum duration of 90 seconds, but with Instagram’s new update, now your reels can be 15 minutes long.  You can also share multi-clip videos on Instagram as reels. If you are planning to post reel videos, consider these ideal sizes and specifications to post high-quality reels on your Instagram account:

Reel Video Specifications

• Video Dimensions: 1080×1920 px
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 and 16:9 in landscape mode
• File Size: Maximum 4GB
• Duration: 15 to 90 seconds (recommended)
• Resolution: HD or 1080p
• Recommended Video Formats. MP4, GIF and . MPV

Pro Tip: For Creating an Instagram Reel Thumbnail

The thumbnail or the cover photo of an Instagram reel has a set ratio of 9:16, but when your reel appears in the feeds of viewers, the same cover photo will appear like a square with a 1:1 proportion.

Therefore, when selecting a thumbnail for your Instagram reel, always go with an image with 1080×1920 dimensions. Then, ensure the core content of your thumbnail is within the 1080×1080 pixel area.

Later, crop your thumbnail in 1:1 square proportion. This will ensure that the essential part of your thumbnail does not get cropped and your thumbnail looks more presentable in the user’s feed.

#2 Instagram Stories

The second type of Instagram video is Instagram stories. These are temporary videos with a maximum duration of 15 seconds. Instagram story videos appear in a slideshow-like format and disappear within 24 hours. And you can access Instagram stories by tapping on the profile photo. With this video type of Instagram, you can add multiple images to create a video story.

If you want to use Instagram stories to share temporary videos on your profile, here are the ideal specifications you must consider to upload an optimized Instagram story:

Story Video Specifications

• Dimensions: 1080 X 1080 px recommended
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16
• File Size: Up to 4 GB for videos
• Duration: 15 to 60 seconds
• Accepted Image Formats: JPG and PNG of up to 30 MB
• Recommended Video Formats: MP4 and MPV

Pro Tip: Designing and Uploading an Instagram Story

An Instagram story looks best within the dimensions of 1080 x 1420 pixels. Therefore, when you are uploading an Instagram story, leave approximately 250 pixels at the top and bottom, free from any text or elements.

Leaving this space will ensure no important details get missed in your story, and your story looks more professional. Also, If you want to share a one-minute video as a story, upload the entire video as your story. By default, Instagram will split this video into four snippets of 15-second, and the story will be uploaded to your profile. Always ensure to upload only portrait photos or vertical videos to optimize the entire screen for an Instagram story.

#3 Instagram Live Videos

Instagram Live is a feature that allows you to have real-time conversations with your audience where you can chat and answer their questions in a live video format.  With Instagram Live videos, you can host and stream live videos on your Instagram account. Also, in the case of Instagram live videos, there’s no need to worry about file sizes because the live is hosted on the Instagram app.

Therefore, if you ever plan to host an Instagram live, you must consider these dimensions for a better view of your audience:

Live Video Specifications

• Dimensions: 1080X1920 px
• Aspect Ratio: 9: 16
• Maximum Duration: 4 Hours

Pro Tip: Change the Orientation Of Your Instagram Live

While hosting an Instagram Live, always change the orientation to a landscape mode since this mode looks more professional for a live video. Also, a landscape mode will give a more expansive view to your audience and viewers will be able to see more of your surroundings or the content you’re showcasing.

#4 Instagram Feed Video

Feed videos were the first video type introduced on Instagram. These videos are displayed in the main content feed alongside photos and accounts a user follows. It has a maximum duration of 60 seconds and appears in a square format. Earlier on Instagram, you could only share videos in a square format, but now Instagram allows feed videos with different orientations like portrait, landscape, and portrait.

If you want to share a video on your main feed, here are some of the ideal specifications that are recommended for Instagram Feed videos:

Feed Video Specifications

• Orientation: Portrait, landscape and square
• Dimensions: 1080×1080 px (landscape) and 1080×1350 px (portrait)
• Recommended File Size: 50 MB
• Maximum Duration: Up to 60 seconds
• Recommended Video Formats: .MP4 and .MPV

Pro Tip: Stick to only two types of orientations

Although Instagram allows you to upload videos with dimensions like 1080×608 px, videos with such dimensions can appear as cropped in the user’s feed.  Therefore, when creating feed videos, it is best to stick to only orientations, portraits, and landscapes with their recommended aspect ratios.

#5 Instagram Carousel Video Ads

Carousel Videos is an Instagram feature that was launched in 2015. This feature allows you to add multiple images and videos in a single Instagram post. In a carousel post, you can include up to 10 videos, and each video can be up to 60 seconds. The viewers can swipe through the carousel and view all your videos. Also, on Instagram carousels, you can share videos with different orientations like square, landscape, and portrait. When posting carousel videos, always consider the following dimensions:

Carousel Video Specifications

• Dimensions: Minimum: 600×600 px and Maximum 1080x1080px
• Recommended Aspect Ratio: 1:1
• File Size: Maximum 4GB
• Duration: 60 Seconds
• Recommended Video Formats: MP4 and . MOV

Pro Tip: Pair Feed Videos with Carousels to promote products

If you run a product business, you can pair Instagram feed videos with a carousel to promote your product. Shoot videos for different products and compile similar product videos in a carousel. However, remember that the size of the first video will determine the size of all videos in the carousel. Therefore, carefully select the dimensions of your first video. Now that you know all the types of videos you can share on Instagram, let’s find out the best video format for sharing Instagram videos.

Instagram allows you to publish videos in three formats. Here are all the video formats Instagram accepts with their ideal specifications for audio:

#1 MP4

MP4 is a widely used video format known for its high quality and compression. Instagram also accepts videos in an MP4 format. The ideal specifications for an MP4 video on Instagram are H.264 codec, AAC audio, with a resolution of 1080×1080 pixels at 30 fps.

#2 MOV

MOV is a video format developed by Apple. Instagram also accepts MOV files, but we recommend you use MP4 formats for broader compatibility. However, if you are using MOV video format on Instagram, always ensure to upload videos with H.264 codec and AAC audio.

#3 GIF

GIF is a looping image format. You can also upload Instagram videos in a GIF format. To upload a GIF video on Instagram, maintain a maximum file size of 100MB, with a resolution of up to 1080×1080 pixels.

Here’s a simple checklist with the best video and audio format that you can always consider to upload perfectly sized Instagram videos :

• Video Format: .mp4
• Audio: AAC
• Quality: 3500kbps
• Frames: 30fps
• Duration: 60seconds maximum
• Resolution: 1080p
• Codec: H.264

Even after keeping all these specifications in mind, there will be times when you will need to resize the entire video because it does not appear the way you want it to. Then, you can simply use some video resizer tools.

Instagram video resizer tools are specifically designed to alter the size of Instagram videos. You can resize your Instagram videos with these popular resizer tools:

#1 Adobe Express

Adobe Express lets you resize a video within seconds. Upload your video in the tool and select the size you want.

#2 Adobe Premium Pro

Adobe Premium Pro is a paid video editing software that lets you resize and merge multiple videos. This pro version comes with additional features like audio effects and transitions.

#3 Flixier

You can also try Flixier, an online video editor tool to change the size of your video. You don’t need to download software; just visit the Flixier website and upload your video.

#4 Kapwing

KapWing is an online video editor that lets you resize your Instagram videos for free. Go to the KapWing visit and select the dimensions for your video to change the dimensions or alter the aspect ratios.

#5 Canva

Canva is also a free online tool that lets you change the dimensions of your Instagram videos easily. To resize your videos with Canva, visit the Canva website and upload your video. There, find resizing option in the editing toolbar.

Now, once you have started creating Instagram videos with their ideal size specifications, focus on creating high-quality videos.

It is believed that even the algorithm favors high-quality videos; therefore, follow these tips to share top-quality videos on Instagram:

#1 Create Vertical Videos

A vertical video is the best video type for mobile devices. Instagram is a mobile-friendly app; therefore, if you want to create high-quality videos for your Instagram feed, get used to creating vertical videos.

#2 Select optimal aspect ratios

Selecting an optimal aspect ratio is important for sharing high-quality videos on Instagram. If you select the appropriate ratio for your video, the video will fit the user’s screen without any distortion and look more appealing.

#3 Create Videos only in an MP4 format

The best video format for Instagram videos is MP4. Although Instagram accepts other formats like GIF and MOV, we recommend that you upload Instagram videos in an MP4 format.

#4 Ensure a better sound quality

When sharing videos on Instagram, ensure to check the sound quality. Although Instagram supports both AAC and MP3 audio formats, we recommend you use the AAC format for better sound quality.

#5 Use eye-catching Thumbnails

The thumbnail is the first thing a user will notice when your Instagram video appears in their feed. Therefore, always create eye-catching thumbnails and optimize them in the proper aspect ratios so more users click on your video.