Instagram story size
Also called Instagram story dimensions, Instagram Reels size, story size
What is the Instagram story size?
Instagram story size is the recommended dimensions for Instagram Stories: 1080×1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio that fills a phone screen. Reels use the same size. Stories can be images or videos, and story videos are split into segments of up to about 60 seconds each, a limit Instagram has changed before.
The app covers parts of the frame: the profile name and progress bar at the top, and the reply bar, link sticker area or ad call-to-action at the bottom. A common guideline is to keep important text and logos out of roughly the top 250 pixels and the bottom 340 pixels, a safe zone that also suits Reels, TikTok and Shorts.
Images in other ratios are allowed, but Instagram adds a colored background or crops them, which looks less polished than a full-screen design.
Why the Instagram story size matters
Stories and Reels are full-screen, so a correctly sized design feels native and holds attention. Wrong sizes leave bars or crop the message.
Story ads and Reels ads use the same 9:16 frame, so one well-sized design can serve organic stories, ads and short-form video placements.
How to make an Instagram story the right size
- Design at 1080×1920 (9:16).
- Keep text, logos and faces in the central area, away from the top and bottom edges.
- Use large text, since stories are viewed quickly.
- Leave space for stickers, links or the ad button at the bottom.
- Preview on a phone before posting.
Instagram story size FAQ
What is the size of an Instagram story in pixels?
1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels tall, a 9:16 ratio.
Are Instagram Reels and Stories the same size?
Yes, both are 1080×1920 (9:16). Reels show as a 3:4 crop on your profile grid and as a 4:5 crop in parts of the main feed, so keep the key content near the center.
Related terms
An Instagram Story is a full-screen vertical photo or video that disappears after 24 hours, unless saved to a Highlight on your profile.
A safe zone is the area of a video or image where text and key content will not be hidden by platform buttons, captions or cropping.
Vertical video is video taller than it is wide, usually 9:16 at 1080x1920 pixels, made to fill a phone screen on Reels, TikTok, Shorts and Stories.
The Instagram post size is 1080 px wide, at 1080×1080 (square), 1080×1350 (portrait 4:5) or 1080×1440 (3:4); portrait fills the most screen.
Social media image sizes are the pixel dimensions and aspect ratios each platform recommends for posts, stories, ads, profile banners and link previews.