Instagram Reel Size
Instagram Reels use the same dimensions as Stories: 1080 × 1920 px at 9:16. Reels are full-screen vertical video displayed in the dedicated Reels feed and the main feed grid. Design or export video at these dimensions; the Reels feed also displays a thumbnail cropped to 1:1 in the profile grid.
Specifications
| Pixels | 1080 × 1920 px |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 |
| Supported formats | MP4, MOV (H.264, AAC audio) |
| Max file size | 4 GB |
| Safe zone | Keep key content within 1080 × 1420 px centre — 250 px top and bottom reserved for UI |
Design Tips
- →Reels play in full screen at 9:16 — any letterboxing (black or coloured bars) from incorrect aspect ratios looks unprofessional and reduces immersion.
- →The lower third is the primary interaction zone on Reels: place your CTA, text overlays, and captions in the lower-middle area of the safe zone (roughly 1080 × 500–1400 px from the bottom).
- →Export at H.264 codec, 1080p, minimum 30 fps. 60 fps is supported and recommended for fast-motion content.
- →Cover frames (thumbnails) are shown at 1:1 in the profile grid — frame your most compelling moment within the central 1080 × 1080 px area.
How to Make Instagram Reel Designs in Playyy
Three steps, no design software. Set the size once — from the size options or straight in your prompt — and every design comes out at 1,080 × 1,920 px.
- 1
Open Playyy
Playyy runs in your browser, so there's nothing to download. Sign in and you'll land on the Home page.
- 2
Type your prompt and set the Instagram Reel size
Describe what you want in the input box on the Home page, then set the size whichever way is quicker. Pick Instagram Reel from the size options right underneath — every platform's sizes are in that list, so you don't have to look this one up. Or just say it in your prompt, like "Instagram Reel at 1,080 × 1,920 px", and Playyy matches it. Either way the design comes out at 9:16.
- 3
Create your Instagram Reel design and download it
Playyy generates the design at the full 1,080 × 1,920 px, so it's ready to upload as it is. Accepted formats: MP4, MOV (H.264, AAC audio). Keep the file under 4 GB.
Create Instagram Reel designs with Playyy
Type a prompt, pick Instagram Reel from the size options underneath it, and export at 1080 × 1920 px — no design software needed.
Start designing free →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Instagram Reel size?+
Instagram Reels are 1080 × 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This is identical to Story dimensions. The video safe zone is 1080 × 1420 px (centred) — the top 250 px shows the follow button and the bottom 250 px is the interaction area.
What format should Instagram Reels be in?+
Instagram recommends MP4 files encoded with H.264 codec, AAC audio, frame rate of 23–60 fps, and maximum file size of 4 GB. For highest quality, export at 1080 × 1920 px (9:16) with a high bit rate before uploading — Instagram recompresses all uploaded videos.
What is the Instagram Reel safe zone?+
Roughly the central 1080 × 1420 px. The bottom 420 px carries the caption, username, and audio ticker, and the right edge carries the like, comment, share, and save rail. Keep faces, text, and product detail inside that central band.
What size is the Instagram Reel cover?+
1080 × 1920 px, matching the video. Instagram crops it to 1:1 in the profile grid and to 4:5 in the feed, so keep the subject in the central square. You can select a frame from the Reel or upload a separate cover image.
How long can an Instagram Reel be?+
Up to 3 minutes, though the feed favours much shorter. The frame size is 1080 × 1920 px at 9:16 regardless of length, which is identical to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels — one export publishes across all four.