New iOS App Available!
Even easier and more private than our web appUpdated January 2026
The complete guide to Reel dimensions, aspect ratios, and resolution for perfect videos every time.
Quick Answer
Instagram Reels: 1080 x 1920 pixels, 9:16 aspect ratio, MP4 format. This vertical full-screen size works perfectly on all devices and gets the best reach.
Aspect Ratio
Vertical full-screen
9:16
Resolution
Full HD recommended
1080 x 1920 px
File Format
MP4 preferred
MP4, MOV
Max File Size
Smaller is faster to upload
4GB
Video Length
Up to 15 min for some accounts
15s - 90s
Frame Rate
30-60 fps supported
30 fps
Cover Image
Same as video
1080 x 1920 px
Important: Keep text, logos, and key visuals away from these areas—they get covered by Instagram's UI elements.
Top
Username, follow button overlap
~250px
Bottom
Caption, buttons, navigation
~400px
Sides
Device safe area margins
~35px
Even though Reels are 1080p, shooting in 4K gives you room to crop and maintains quality after compression.
Instagram's compression hurts subtle details. Use high contrast and saturated colors to make your Reels pop.
Well-lit videos compress better and look sharper. Natural light or ring lights make a huge difference.
Use thick, bold fonts for on-screen text. Thin fonts become unreadable after compression.
Growing your Instagram?
Creating great Reels is step one. Knowing who follows and unfollows helps you understand what content works.
Check your followersThe best size for Instagram Reels is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This is the standard vertical full-screen format that displays perfectly on all devices. Always shoot in portrait orientation for best results.
Yes, but it's not recommended. Horizontal videos (16:9) will have large black bars above and below, making them less engaging on mobile. If you must use horizontal footage, consider cropping to 9:16 or adding a blurred background to fill the space.
1080 x 1920 pixels (Full HD) is the recommended resolution. Instagram supports higher resolutions but will compress them. Lower resolutions will appear blurry, especially on larger phone screens and tablets.
Standard Reels can be 15 to 90 seconds. Some creator and business accounts have access to 3-minute and even 15-minute Reels. The sweet spot for engagement is typically 15-30 seconds.
Keep important content away from the top 250px (username/follow button), bottom 400px (captions/buttons), and 35px from sides. The center 780px vertically is your safe zone for key visuals and text.
MP4 is the best format for Instagram Reels, using H.264 codec. MOV files also work but may take longer to upload. Avoid AVI, WMV, or other formats as they may not be supported.
Yes, Instagram compresses all uploaded videos to reduce file size. To minimize quality loss: upload at exactly 1080 x 1920, use H.264 codec, and keep bitrate around 3500 kbps. Higher source quality helps offset compression.
Yes! Go to your Reel → tap the three dots → 'Edit' → 'Edit cover'. You can choose a frame from the video or upload a custom cover image. Cover images should be 1080 x 1920 px for best quality.