Creating Instagram Reels isn't as difficult as it might seem at first glance, but it definitely takes some practice. And you need to first record the basics - for exampleInstagram roll dimensionsfor one. Let's see what they are and why they're important, shall we?
Marketing on Instagram just got easier for teams
Instagram automation, analytics, reporting, scheduling and more. Try NapoleonCat and save 90% of your marketing time. Try for free:
Try NapoleonCat for free for 14 days. We do not require a credit card.
- Why Instagram reel sizes matter
- Instagram Reels Sizes 2023
- Instagram revolves around pixels
- Instagram Reels frame size
- Instagram spool cover size
- Instagram spool thumbnail size
- Instagram spool length
- Subtitle length for Instagram Reels
- Instagram spool compression size
- Easier design and scheduling of Instagram Reels
- Create and post better Instagram Stories
Why Instagram reel sizes matter
Well, you may be familiar with the fact that different social media platforms use different onesdimensionsand the sizes of their images. And Instagram Reels are no different.
And more importantly, what happens when you upload a video to Instagram Reels that has the wrong dimensions or aspect ratio. And let me tell you a lot of things can happen:
- The video may not be fully visible because some text and other details are cut off. Maybe it doesn't make sense anymore.
Here's an example - although it's really subtle:
- If the aspect ratio is off, the video can be distorted, stretched, etc. (and ruin all your hard work)
- It may become blurry/pixelated if the video and file size is too small.
Overall, your Reel won't look the way you intended, and it can also give off unprofessional vibes at times (if you know what I mean). But if that doesn't convince you (although it should), don't forget that Instagram's algorithm favors high-quality graphics, so the look of your Reel can really affect how many people see it.
As you can see, it's not worth putting all the work into creating an Instagram Reel and then ruining it all because the size isn't right.
So let's take a look at the appropriate Instagram spool sizes in 2023.
Instagram Reels Sizes 2023
Below you will findInstagram spool dimensions for 2023. However, keep in mind that things like recommended social media image sizes change from time to time, so if you're unsure, check for updates every now and then. You can also check in withInstagram resourcesfor first-hand information and 100% solid.
Here's what Instagram recommends for Instagram roles:
- Instagram spool aspect ratio: 1.91:1 to 9:16.
- Minimum frame rate 30 FPS (frames per second).
- Minimum resolution of 720 pixels.
Note that the aspect ratio will change depending on whether someone is watching your reels as fullscreen video (in this case, the aspect ratio is 9:16) or on the newsfeed (where it is cropped to 4:5).
It's important to think about this when creating/shooting your reel and when editing the video as the streaming version will have about a third of a frame cropped in total. Therefore, place your actions and text strategically so that nothing is missing even in the flow.
Oh, and don't forget that Reels - like Instagram Stories - are vertical videos, so don't shoot or upload horizontally!
Protect your social media from spam and hate
Automatically hide or remove offensive comments, hate speech and spam. Try NapoleonCat for free:
Try NapoleonCat for free for 14 days. We do not require a credit card.
Instagram revolves around pixels
The recommended size for uploading videos in portrait orientation is1080 pixels x 1920 pixels.
Instagram Reels frame size
As above, frame size is1080x1920 pixelsand it's vertical (so horizontal videos won't work here).
Instagram spool cover size
For a cover photo, Instagram recommends uploading a 420 by 654 pixel file (or 1:1.55 aspect ratio). And choose wisely - because at the moment you can't edit your cover photo after it's been uploaded (so make any changes beforehand in the editor).
Here's how to create a cover roll:
- When the roll is ready, press "Next".
- Tap the preview image in the sharing settings ("Edit Cover" will appear).
- Then select a frame from the video or tap "Add from Camera Roll" - if you're looking for a so-called curated look for your Reels feed, the latter option will probably be your best bet.
- You can also crop the image at this point, reposition it, and zoom in or out.
Instagram spool thumbnail size
The cover is one thing, but the thumbnail is a bit different - it's the part of the cover that people will see when they look at your (probably highly curated) profile grid. But don't worry, you don't have to ask your graphic designer for another graphic file (unless you want to).
When editing the Instagram Reel cover, go to the profile grid and reposition the cover to get the thumbnail you want. And if you want (and your graphic designer has time ;)), you can also add a separate file as a thumbnail.
Instagram spool length
Ok, what about the length of your Instagram spools? So, at this point, your Instagram Reels video can be up to 60 seconds long. Of course, it doesn't have to be that way - shorter content tends to increase engagement, so don't stretch the reels just to reach that 60-second mark.
Until you absolutely need it, in which case make sure your video content is actually worth a minute of your viewers' time.
For the best duration of your Instagram spools, take a lookThis articlewhich talks about just that, with advice for different purposes. Because yes, different Instagram spool lengths may work better for different purposes like comment engagement, sharing, connecting with your audience, getting more views, etc.
Subtitle length for Instagram Reels
Circles on Instagram are about video content, of course, but it's not just about dimensions and aspect ratio. Taking the time to come up with something relevant, original, and compelling for your signature can help increase engagement in your feeds (especially in comments).
So don't forget this element in your Instagram strategy.
Now, when it comes to Reels caption length, you have up to 2200 characters (count in hashtags).
Again, that doesn't mean you have to use them all. However, it gives you enough flexibility to come up with something creative. Remember a few simple rules:
- Do not write very long, complicated sentences and paragraphs. Go for something clean, sharp and concise.
- You can use a few short points to get your point across.
- Additionemotikonyif you want - this will make it easier to read (you can also add them as bullet points).
- And don't forget your hashtags to make it easier for people to find your skates.
Instagram spool compression size
I mentioned earlier that super-compressed video can be blurry and pixelated - and no one likes to see that, right? Keep in mind that Instagram will compress your video even more when you upload it, so it needs to be of decent quality to be considered.
It will also reduce the size of videos that are 1080 pixels wide to just that - 1080 pixels. Your video must be at least 320 pixels wide or Instagram will scale it down (and potentially lose quality). Images between 320 and 1080 pixels wide will keep their width.
If you want to make sure your vertical videos are of high quality, turn on high quality uploads in your account settings.
(In Settings & Privacy, scroll down to Data Usage & Media Quality and turn it on.)
Easier design and scheduling of Instagram Reels
Adding content on social media can sometimes be a pain - especially as you have more and more content and possibly even more social media accounts. All files on the phone, aspect ratios, videos and images have been changed to different versions for all social media accounts, etc.)
So do yourself a favor and find a social media developer who can also handle a Reel post - and design them all beautifully in a visual calendar that can automatically post them to your Instagram account without having to go to the Instagram app every time.
if you chooseNapoleon CatFor this purpose, you will also be able to use the same tool to manage comments under your drums (as well as your channel posts), which is very useful when you increase engagement. You can do this for multiple Instagram accounts and even for your ads, which are especially easy to miss when it comes to comments.
Additionally, you can set up automatic replies to answer the most frequently asked questions or to inform your audience that you are currently unavailable. And all this within one subscription.
Marketing on Instagram just got easier for teams
Instagram automation, analytics, reporting, scheduling and more. Try NapoleonCat and save 90% of your marketing time. Try for free:
Try NapoleonCat for free for 14 days. We do not require a credit card.
Create and post better Instagram Stories
In addition to knowing frame sizes, video formats,Wheel dimensionsand all these things (which you will learn about after reading this article), don't forget about the content: engaging, unique, relevant to the audience, with that "something" they really want to see.
But that's a story for another article. In the meantime, happy reeling!
You may also like:
- How to make Instagram rolls: an easy guide for beginners
- What is the best Instagram spool length in 2023?
- How to Add Text to Circles on Instagram (iOS & Android)
- This is the best time to post about wheels on Instagram in 2023
- Schedule and post spools to Instagram with NapoleonCat (product update)
- How does the Instagram Reels algorithm really work?
- What is the difference between spools and Instagram Stories?
- 5 Ways to Use Instagram Reels for Digital Marketing
- How to make money on Instagram spools
- How to become popular on Instagram (or at least increase your chances)
- How to Find Trending Audio on Instagram (and Speed Up Your Wheels)
FAQs
What dimensions should an Instagram reel be? ›
The dimensions of your Instagram Reels should be 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels.
Are Instagram Reels 4x5? ›Instagram Reels size – Feed Post view
Aspect ratio: 4:5. Video dimension: 1080 pixels x 1350 pixels (that is 1080px width; 1350px height)
Instagram Reels are designed to be viewed as 9:16 (1080 X 1920) or vertically full screen, which is the exact same format as Instagram Stories you're already familiar with.
How do you scale Reels on Instagram? ›Simply click on the “Resize” icon in the top right corner of the video. Now hold and drag the edges of the video to scale it and reposition it by simply holding and dragging it. Once done, click on the green button that says “Apply” to save the changes made.
Does Instagram reel size matter? ›And here's another good reason to care about Instagram Reel sizes: The Instagram Reels algorithm tends to favor videos with quality visuals. So using the correct Instagram Reels sizes when you edit and upload your video is going to give you the best chance to get your masterpiece reaching far and wide.
What are the best dimensions for Instagram video? ›You've probably noticed that this is the standard size of most smartphone screens. Now, the best Instagram video dimensions are 1080px by 1920px. In other words, this means that your Instagram video should be 1080 pixels wide and 1920 pixels tall. This will provide the best quality video.
Should I use 4x5 or 5x4 for Instagram? ›The ideal Instagram portrait aspect ratio is 4:5, and the ideal photo size is 1080px by 1350px. If you upload a larger portrait, say 4:6 or 9:16 (the size of a Snapchat photo), you'll be prompted to crop a portion of the photo out to fit.
Why are my reels cropped? ›The recommended aspect ratio for reels is 9:16 and the recommended size is 1080 x 1920 pixels. Reels are full vertical videos, so to avoid reels being automatically cropped, follow the recommended Instagram reel size when uploading video footage from your gallery.
What are Instagram reel ratios? ›What are the Instagram Reels ratios? Instagram Reels are designed to be viewed as 9:16 (1080 X 1920) or vertically full screen, which is the exact same format as Instagram Stories you're already familiar with.
What is the maximum resolution for Reels? ›For Reels, that's a minimum resolution of 600 x 1067 pixels and a maximum resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. Want to post even higher-quality content? You'll have to wait. Instagram doesn't support 4K videos yet.
What is the best setting for Instagram Reels? ›
- Disable the HDR more on mobile as well as on the app.
- Best Resolution: 1080P.
- Dimensions: 1080 x 1920.
- FPS: recommended FPS is 30. You can keep up to 60 FPS.
- Bitrate: In order keep your reels's quality keep the bitrate setting in between 5–15.
The format of the videos can be vertical or horizontal.
Why won't my Instagram Reels scale? ›Update Instagram to the Latest Version
Using an outdated Instagram version might be the reason why Reels are not working. To update the app to the latest available version, launch the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, search for Instagram, and tap the Update button.
...
How to resize a video for Instagram.
- Select. Upload a video from your device. ...
- Resize. Select Instagram from the drop down resize menu and select the size you need.
- Download.
Power: Bigger reels are more powerful because the handle has more torque so if you are targeting large species then you need a bit more power to bring them in. Line Diameter: This one is a bit more subtle but reels are designed for a particular range of line diameters.
Are bigger reels better? ›Casting distance with larger-spooled spinning reels, regardless of line size, is substantially better. Also, if you have problems fishing fluorocarbon on spinning reels because the line isn't supple enough, you'll find those reduced when fishing it on 40 size reels. Another benefit to larger spools is retrieve speed.
Why is reel size important? ›Heavier lines require a larger reel to prevent spinning out, while a smaller reel can handle lighter lines. It is essential to select a reel that is not too small or too large for the line weight you are using, as this can affect the overall performance of your setup.
Should I use 4 5 or 9 16 for Instagram video? ›Instagram Video Size
The aspect ratio should be 4:5 and the maximum file size should be 250MB. This is the proper video quality for a post on the Instagram feed. It will look something like the screenshot below. For an Instagram Story or Reel, the video should be 1080 x 1080 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 9:16.
Instagram lets you publish square (1080 x 1080p), landscape (1080 x 608p), and portrait (1080 x 1350p) carousal videos.
What aspect ratio is 1920x1080? ›1920 x 1080 is a 16:9 aspect ratio. By default, smartphones, DSLRs, and most modern camcorders record video at 1920 x 1080.
Should I use 1 1 or 4 5 for Instagram? ›
Instagram post size.
All images will be cropped to a square in the feed. The ideal size for square posts is 1080px by 1080px at a 1:1 aspect ratio. For landscape posts, use an image that is 1080px by 566px, with an aspect ratio of 1.91:1. Vertical images should be sized at 1080px by 1350px with a 4:5 aspect ratio.
The next key ratio that you'll see is 4:5. This is where we're starting to get into vertical video format, but not full vertical video yet. Here at 4:5, we're commonly working with a frame that's 1080×1350 pixels.
Why is Instagram 4x5? ›Vertical Posts (4:5)
Generally speaking, your vertical photos should have an aspect ratio of 4:5. Anything longer (like 4:6 or 4:7), and Instagram will crop your content. Vertical posts take up more real estate as someone scrolls through their home feed, so they're more optimized than horizontal posts.
You don't post enough Reels
Don't expect to post one Reels and reach hundreds of thousands of people. Quite the opposite, the more you post, the higher your reach and engagement grow over time. For starters, you can try posting one Reels every week, gradually increasing the number.
Upload the Reel you saved to your device. Videos must be between 5 seconds and 90 seconds long and have an aspect ratio of 9:16. Add a caption. You can include emojis and hashtags, and tag other accounts in your caption.
How do I stop my Instagram reel from cropping? ›- Upload a recording. Open the Video Resizer by Clideo. ...
- Resize the video to fit Instagram. The tool has ready presets for all the major social media – just choose the needed one. ...
- Download your video ready for posting. It's time to save your creation to your personal device.
| Type of Post | Recommended Aspect ratio | Recommended Size |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Stories | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920p |
| IGTV videos | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920p |
| Instagram reels | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920p |
| Instagram live videos | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920p |
The lower the ratio, the less rotations, the higher, the more. To simplify it, if you want to fish slow and deep, go low ratio, and if you want to fish fast and on top, pick a higher ratio.
Should reels be 4K or 1080p? ›Video resolution for Reels videos
So can you use 4K videos on Instagram Reels? Not yet. 1080 x 1920 is the optimal video resolution for Instagram Reels. It is the same video resolution you'd need to post videos on Instagram Stories.
The recommended Instagram reel dimensions are 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels. That's exactly the same resolution as 1080p—only it's for videos designed to be viewed vertically.
Can I post 4K video on Instagram? ›
Can you upload 4K videos to Instagram? No, you can't because currently, Instagram doesn't support 4K. The maximum video resolution by Instagram is 1080 x 1920 pixels.
Do shorter Instagram reels do better? ›Create Reels Under 10 Seconds
This means that people will be less likely to watch your Instagram reels if they're longer than 8-10 seconds. They may be too busy scrolling to the next reel if you couldn't get their attention in the first few seconds.
...
If you forget one of them then it doesn't work well, so read carefully with full attention.
- Focus On Creating Original Content. ...
- Original Audio – Unknown Instagram Algorithm. ...
- Comment & Shares – Virality.
As Reels become increasingly important, marketers are asking themselves “How many Reels should I post in a day?” The industry standard is to post 4 to 7 Reels per week to increase your follower count as much as possible.
What is the 3 second rule reels? ›The 3-second rule. Make sure the first 3 seconds catch the viewer's attention to avoid them scrolling up and not watching the whole Reel. A human face, product or an offer can help catch the attention.
What format can reels be? ›Meta for business lists the general requirements for reels: Format: MP4, MOV. File size: 4GB. Length: up to 60 seconds.
How do I improve my Instagram reel algorithm? ›Make your Reels visually appealing
The algorithm favors videos with visual panache. At the very minimum, shoot in vertical and avoid low-res photos and videos; if you're ready to get creative, test out all of Reels' bells and whistles.
It's a common problem for Instagram users:
The most common reason why your Instagram reels may appear blurry is due to an incorrect resolution setting on your device or app settings.
Update Your App
You might be able to fix the error by simply updating your app. Go to the App Store or the Google Play Store and search for Instagram to see if any update is available. If yes, downloading the update will likely mend bugs like the zoom issue.
- Upload a video. Select a file for resizing from your Mac or Windows computer, iPhone or Android phone, Google Drive or Dropbox account. ...
- Resize your video file. When the editor opens, select the necessary preset or input custom dimensions. ...
- Download the resized video.
How do you post 16x9 reels on Instagram? ›
- Tap the Crop button to change to 16:9 (or whatever format your video is in)
- Tap the blue arrow.
- Add a filter if you'd like, change the cover image, and/or mute the video.
- Tap the blue arrow.
Instagram Reels cover sizes and dimensions
All Instagram Reels are shown in a 9:16 aspect ratio (or 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels).
Unfortunately, you can't zoom out Reels like regular Story videos. If you're importing a video from your gallery, your only option is zooming it in by pinching the screen or pressing the “Scale” button. Scaling the video to your screen will zoom it in to fill the entire screen.
Are shorter or longer reels better? ›For example, if you're creating a video to answer some FAQs about your product, you'll likely need a longer duration than you would for a quick clip of your product in use. However, a good rule of thumb when it comes to the ideal Instagram Reel length is roughly 7 to 15 seconds.
What aspect ratio is 9x16? ›9:16. A 9:16 aspect ratio is used for tall videos. This aspect ratio became popular when smartphones were created with video capabilities. For example, the optimal measure for an Instagram story is 1080 px by 1920 px, which means its ratio is 9:16.
What are the specs for meta Reels? ›Instagram Reels Ads Creative Specs
Meta recommends a minimum resolution of 500 x 888 pixels. But when you're aiming for the highest-quality ad possible, it's best to stick with 1080 x 1920 pixels—the recommended size for organic reels.
To keep the reels at their highest resolution, you must frame them using the recommended settings. According to the recommended settings of Instagram reels: Aspect Ratio must be 9:16. Resolution must be 1080 x1920p.
How do I stop Instagram from cropping reels? ›The recommended aspect ratio for reels is 9:16 and the recommended size is 1080 x 1920 pixels. Reels are full vertical videos, so to avoid reels being automatically cropped, follow the recommended Instagram reel size when uploading video footage from your gallery.
Do reels need to be full screen? ›Instagram Reels are designed to be viewed as 9:16 (1080 X 1920) or vertically full screen, which is the exact same format as Instagram Stories you're already familiar with. What does this mean? Well, when displayed in the Reels newsfeed, it will crop the top 15%, and the bottom 15% off your Reels video.