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.
Create Instagram Reel designs with Playyy
Set a custom canvas to 1080 × 1920 px, generate visuals from a text prompt, and export at the right dimensions — 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.