Instagram Video Size: The Exact Specs for Every Format

Instagram video size depends on which format you're posting to. Reels, Stories, Carousels, and Live each have different dimension requirements. Getting them right prevents cropping, quality loss, and awkward framing. Here's a clear breakdown of every spec you need.

Why the Right Instagram Video Size Actually Matters

Wrong dimensions don't always get rejected, that's part of what makes this confusing. Instagram will often accept an off-size video, then crop or letterbox it in ways you didn't intend. A landscape video uploaded as a Reel ends up with black bars on both sides. It plays, but it looks unpolished and wastes screen space.

What's often overlooked is that Instagram compresses every video on upload. If your file is already low resolution, that compression makes things noticeably worse. Starting at the correct video resolution gives Instagram better source material to work with and the output looks sharper in the feed.In practice, most creators find that aspect ratio causes more problems than file size. Get that right firs

Instagram Reels Video Size

Recommended Specs

Spec	Requirement
Resolution	1080 × 1920 px
Aspect Ratio	9:16
Frame Rate	30 FPS
Max File Size	4 GB
Video Length	3 seconds – 15 minutes
Recommended Format	MP4, MOV

Note: In-app recording is limited to 90 seconds. Videos up to 15 minutes can be uploaded directly from your device.

In-Feed Videos Are Now Reels

Instagram merged in-feed video into the Reels format, as reported by TechCrunch. Any video posted directly to your feed is now treated as a Reel same specs, same discoverability mechanics. This matters because it means all feed video uploads should meet Reels dimension requirements, even when you're not thinking of them as Reels.

Safe Zone for Reels

The bottom fifth of a Reel is covered by the caption, username, and interaction buttons. The top carries audio tags and other overlays. Keep key visuals and any on-screen text within the central 60–70% of the frame to make sure they're actually visible when the video plays.

Instagram Stories Video Size

Recommended Specs

Spec	Requirement
Resolution	1080 × 1920 px
Aspect Ratio	9:16
Minimum Width	500 px
Frame Rate	23–60 FPS
Max File Size	4 GB per 15-second segment
Video Length	1–60 seconds
Recommended Format	MP4, MOV, GIF

What Happens with Stories Over 15 Seconds

Instagram automatically splits Stories longer than 15 seconds into separate 15-second cards. Each card is treated as its own Story, and the 4 GB file size limit applies per card not to the total video. This happens on the platform's side. You don't need to pre-cut the video yourself.

Safe Zone for Stories

Stories have interface elements at both ends. The profile photo and close button sit at the top; the reply bar sits at the bottom. Place important content especially faces or text overlays in the central portion of the frame to avoid it being obscured by these elements.

Instagram Carousel Video Size

Recommended Specs

Spec	Requirement
Resolution	1080 × 1080 px or 1080 × 1350 px
Aspect Ratio	1:1 (square) or 4:5 (portrait)
Frame Rate	23–60 FPS
Max File Size	4 GB
Video Length	3 seconds – 60 minutes
Recommended Format	MP4, MOV

Carousel Videos vs. Reels

Carousel videos don't appear in the Reels tab and aren't treated as Reels by the algorithm. They're a separate format with different reach mechanics. If discoverability is the goal, Reels is the stronger option.

If the goal is presenting multiple pieces of content together a product walkthrough, a step-by-step process carousels handle that better. Different tools for different purposes.

Instagram Live Video Size

Recommended Specs

Spec	Requirement
Resolution	1080 × 1080 px
Aspect Ratio	9:16
Max Duration	4 hours

A Note on Live Sizing

Live video is broadcast in real time, so there's no post-upload compression step. The sizing guidance here applies to your camera or streaming setup before you go live not to a file you're editing after the fact.

Quick Reference — All Instagram Video Sizes

Format	Resolution	Aspect Ratio	Max File Size	Max Length	File Formats
Reels	1080 × 1920 px	9:16	4 GB	15 minutes	MP4, MOV
Stories	1080 × 1920 px	9:16	4 GB per segment	60 seconds	MP4, MOV, GIF
Carousel	1080 × 1080 or 1350 px	1:1 or 4:5	4 GB	60 minutes	MP4, MOV
Live	1080 × 1080 px	9:16	—	4 hours	—

How to Reduce Quality Loss When Uploading to Instagram

Instagram compresses every uploaded video that part is unavoidable. But a few consistent practices limit how much quality gets lost in the process:

• Use MP4 with H.264 encoding — this combination causes the least degradation after Instagram's compression
• Start at or above the recommended resolution — uploading an upscaled low-res file doesn't recover lost quality
• Avoid multiple export cycles — each time you export and re-export a video, compression artifacts accumulate
• Keep bitrate high before uploading — Instagram will reduce it, but starting higher gives better source material to compress from

Creators and video teams that produce content regularly for Instagram commonly report that H.264 + MP4 is the most reliable choice for maintaining visual quality after upload. H.264, according to Wikipedia, is by far the most widely used format for video recording.

Compression, and distribution its near-universal device compatibility and efficient compression make it the most stable starting point for social media uploads. It's not a guarantee against compression, but it's consistently the most reliable codec for this use case.

Conclusion

Instagram's video specs vary by format, but the core rule covers most of them: 1080 × 1920 px at 9:16 works for Reels, Stories, and Live. Carousels follow square or portrait dimensions. Get the aspect ratio right first; everything else is adjustable from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal Instagram video size?

For Reels, Stories, and Live, the ideal size is 1080 × 1920 px with a 9:16 aspect ratio. Carousel videos use 1080 × 1080 px (square) or 1080 × 1350 px (portrait).

What aspect ratio does Instagram use for video?

Instagram uses 9:16 for Reels, Stories, and Live. Carousel videos support 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (portrait).

What is the maximum file size for Instagram videos?

The maximum is 4 GB across all formats. For Stories, the 4 GB limit applies per 15-second segment, not the full video.

What video format does Instagram support?

Instagram recommends MP4 and MOV for all video types. Stories also support GIF uploads.

What happens if I upload the wrong video dimensions?

Instagram won't always reject it — but it will crop or add black bars to fit the display. This typically results in cut-off content or a visually degraded presentation.