Instagram Formats: 2025 Guide - Reels and Story

From the classic square format to Immersive stories, going through the Dynamic reels, we will reveal all the secrets to make your photos, videos and images Shine in the news feed of your subscribers.

Get ready to master Instagram formats like a pro and give a Boost to your content strategy!

Instagram formats: All you need to know about dimensions and resolutions

On Instagram, visual quality is essential. A poorly framed image, compressed video, or the wrong format can reduce the reach of your content and hinder your engagement. Every detail counts: the size of your photos, the ratio of your videos, and even the location of the text in your stories.

With the constant evolution of Instagram and the growing importance of Reels and Stories, it is becoming crucial to adapt its content to current trends. Should the square, portrait or landscape format be preferred? What resolution guarantees better quality? What are the ideal ratios to avoid unwanted cropping?

We tell you everything you need to know about Instagram formats in 2025!

Profile photo: the first impression counts

Your profile photo is the first thing people see on your account. Whether it is your logo, your portrait or a visual that represents your brand, it must be clear and well framed.

📌 Recommended format : 320 x 320 px (square)
📱 Real display : round (pay attention to centering)

Tips :

• If you're a brand, use a plain background or border for more impact.
• Avoid details that are too small: they won't be visible on mobile.
• Test on multiple screens to make sure your photo stays legible.

💡 example : A cosmetics brand can opt for its logo in white on a pastel background. A content creator may prefer a bright portrait with a neutral background.

Stories in the news: neat vignettes for a pro profile

Les Stories in the news, it's like a permanent showcase for your content. You might as well take care of the thumbnails so that they make you want to click.

📌 Recommended format : 1080 x 1920 px
📱 Real display : circle of 161 x 161 px on your profile

Tips :

• Use minimalistic icons or visuals to keep the image legible when cropped in circles.
• Maintain consistency in colors for a harmonious feed.
• Make sure the main element is centered so it doesn't get cut.

💡 example : A fashion brand can use clothing icons (t-shirt, shoes, accessories) for its various story categories.

Instagram posts: square, portrait, or landscape?

News feed posts are at the heart of your content strategy. But not all formats are the same in terms of visibility and engagement.

📌 Possible formats :

• Square (1:1) → 1080 x 1080 px → Classic, clean and balanced format.
• Portrait (4:5) → 1080 x 1350 px → Takes up more space in the wire, attracts more attention.
• Landscape (1. 91:1) → 1080 x 566 px → Great for large photos, but takes up less screen space.

Tips :

• Portrait (4:5) is the most effective : it takes up more space and keeps the attention longer.
• If you're doing a carousel, keep the same size for all images for a consistent result.
• Think of Leave a margin around important items, especially if you're adding text.

💡 example : A travel photographer may prefer portrait (1080 x 1350 px) to maximize the impact of a landscape photo while remaining clearly visible in the feed.

Instagram Stories: full screen, otherwise nothing

Les Stories, it's content that disappears in 24 hours, but it's also one of the most watched formats. For an optimal result, they must occupy The whole screen of the telephone.

📌 Recommended format : 1080 x 1920 px (9:16 ratio)

Tips :

• Don't put text too high or too low, because the Instagram interface hides part of the screen (username, buttons).
• Play with interactive stickers (polls, questions, quizzes) to engage your audience.
• If you use text, make sure it is big enough to be readable at a glance.

💡 example : A food influencer can film a recipe in several stories while ensuring that the ingredients and instructions remain clearly visible in the center of the screen.

Instagram formats: The specificities of videos

Les videos have become an essential element on Instagram, offering a multitude of possibilities for engage your audience. Each video format has its own characteristics, which are essential to master in order to optimize your content.

Dimensions and formats of In Feed videos on Instagram

In Feed videos appear directly in your subscribers' news feeds. For these videos, Instagram recommends a resolution of 1080 x 1350 pixels with a ratio of 4:5.

You also have the option of using a square format of 1080 x 1080 pixels or a landscape format of 1080 x 566 pixels. The maximum duration is 60 minutes, but it's important to note that shorter videos, between 15 and 60 seconds, tend to generate more engagement. Make sure your videos don't stick out 4 GB to ensure a smooth download.

Everything about the Instagram Reels format

Reels represent Instagram's short video format, designed to compete with TikTok. They have to be in vertical format, with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a ratio of 9:16.

The maximum duration of a Reel is 90 seconds, which gives you plenty of time to produce engaging content. A key point to keep in mind is the “safe zone”: place key elements of your video in the center, as the edges can be cut off when posted in the news feed. For the cover of your Reel, choose an image of 1080 x 1920 pixels that accurately reflects the content of your video.

Les Reels have become a must on Instagram, thanks to their dynamic format. For them to work well, their display must be optimized.

📌 Recommended format : 1080 x 1920 px (like stories)
📱 Actual display in the feed : preview in 1080 x 1350 px, cropped in the center

Tips :

• Place key items in the center to prevent them from being cut off on the preview.
• Add subtitles : a lot of users watch videos without sound.
• La The first second is crucial : capture attention immediately with a strong visual or an impacting text.

💡 example : A fitness brand can show a series of exercises with explanatory text and subtitles, to be understood even without the sound.

Ideal resolution and size for Instagram video stories

Instagram stories are designed to provide an immersive, full-screen experience. The optimal resolution is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a ratio of 9:16.

Although the maximum length of a story is 60 seconds, Instagram automatically divides it into segments of 15 seconds. To ensure better readability, be sure to leave approximately 250 pixels free at the top and bottom of your video, as these areas can be hidden by the Instagram interface. Maximum file size is 4 GB, allowing you to post high-quality videos without losing resolution.

Instagram formats and social media trends

As we explore Instagram formats, it is gist to keep an eye on broader social media trends, especially those emerging on platforms like TikTok. Collaborate with a TikTok agency specialist can help you identify these trends and incorporate them into your Instagram strategy for maximizing your reach and your commitment.

TikTok Shop arrives in France: What you need to know

TikTok Shop, the e-commerce platform integrated into the TikTok application, is about to enter the French market. This expansion marks an important step in TikTok's strategy to become a major player in Social commerce in Europe. For content creators and brands, this represents a new opportunity direct monetization within the application.

You will soon be able to sell your products directly through your TikTok videos, creating a immersive shopping experience for your followers. It will be important to adapt your video formats to integrate the functionalities of TikTok Shop harmoniously, while maintaining the authenticity that makes the platform successful.

TikTok micro-trends: Tips for using them effectively

Microtrends on TikTok are characterized by their nature fleeting and their ability to generate a quick engagement and intense. To effectively use them on Instagram, it's important to identify them quickly and adapt them to Instagram's specific format and audience. Use the Reels to replicate the dynamic and short style of TikTok, while delving deeper into the content in your feed posts or stories.

The key is to be responsive while staying true to theidentity of your brand. Don't forget to use the relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your content and to participate in conversations around these micro-trends.

TikTok Creator Search Insight: How to use it well?

TikTok Creator Search Insight is a powerful tool that can also enrich your content strategy on Instagram. This tool allows you to discover the topics most searched for by TikTok users. To use it effectively, start by exploring the search trends in your niche.

Identify popular topics that lack content (called “content gaps”) and create original content around these themes. While these insights come from TikTok, they can give you valuable insight into current interests of your target audience.

Then adapt these ideas to Instagram formats, for example by creating informative carousels for the feed, short tutorials in Reels, or series of stories to deepen popular topics. Remember to analyze the performance of your content regularly to refine your strategy.

FAQ: Summary to know everything about Instagram formats in 2025

What format should I use for Instagram?

The format to use depends on the type of content:

• Posts : 1080 x 1350 px (portrait, 4:5 ratio)
• Stories and Reels : 1080 x 1920 px (vertical format, 9:16 ratio)
• Profile photos : 320 x 320 px (shown in round)
• In Feed Videos : 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 ratio)

What is the format of an Instagram post?

Instagram accepts three formats for In Feed posts:

• Carré : 1080 x 1080 px (1:1 ratio)
• Portrait : 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 ratio)
• Landscape : 1080 x 566 px (1. 91:1 ratio)

💡 tip : The portrait format (4:5) is the most effective because it takes up more space in the news feed.

What is the new Instagram 2025 format?

Instagram continues to optimize its formats, and in 2025, the portrait format (4:5) is preferred for In Feed posts and videos. Les Reels and Stories stay in 9:16, and Instagram is putting more emphasis on short, immersive videos.

How do I post in 4:5 on Instagram?

When uploading an image or video:

1. Choose A 1080 x 1350 px image.
2. Instagram offers automatic cropping, but adjust as needed.
3. Preview your post to make sure nothing important is cut off.

Is the 4:5 video format accepted on Instagram?

Yes! Instagram even recommends the format 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px) for In Feed videos because it takes up more screen space and better captures users' attention.

Is it better to post PNG or JPG on Instagram?

• JPG : recommended for photos, as it offers a good compromise between quality and file size.
• PNG : ideal for images with transparency or precise text, but can be heavier.

💡 tip : Avoid files that are too large to limit Instagram compression.

How do I adapt a photo for Instagram?

1. Check the ideal dimensions for your format (post, story, Reels).
2. Use a tool like Canva, Photoshop, or Lightroom to crop your image.
3. Compress your file slightly to avoid automatic degradation on Instagram.

What are the new dimensions of Instagram posts?

In 2025, the recommended dimensions remain:

• Carré : 1080 x 1080 px
• Portrait : 1080 x 1350 px
• Landscape : 1080 x 566 px
• Reels and Stories : 1080 x 1920 px

What is the optimal horizontal image format for Instagram?

The recommended landscape format is 1080 x 566 px (ratio 1. 91:1). However, this format takes up less space in the news feed and often generates less engagement than the portrait (4:5).

What is the best resolution for an Instagram post?

For an optimal result:

• Square photos : 1080 x 1080 px
• Portrait photos : 1080 x 1350 px
• In-feed videos : 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 ratio)

💡 tip : Publishing higher-resolution images helps avoid Instagram compression.

What are the accepted formats for Instagram videos?

Instagram mainly accepts:

• MP4 with H.264 codec (recommended)
• MOV

Videos should have a frame rate between 23 and 60 FPS for a smooth rendering.

How to avoid compressing images and videos on Instagram?

1. Respect the recommended dimensions.
2. Lightly compress your files with a tool like TinyPNG or HandBrake.
3. Activate the “Download in high quality” option in Instagram settings.
4. Prefer a Upload via Wi-Fi rather than via mobile data.

What is the maximum length of Instagram videos (Reels, Stories, In Feed)?

• Reels : up to 90 seconds
• Stories : 15 seconds per segment (sequencing possible)
• In Feed Videos : up to 60 minutes

💡 consultancy : To maximize engagement, choose short videos of 15 to 60 seconds.

What format should I use to maximize engagement on Instagram?

Les Reels and carousels are the formats that generate the most engagement.

• Reels : Short and dynamic format, put forward by the algorithm.
• Carousels : Up to 10 images or videos in the same post, promoting interaction.
• Post portrait (4:5) : Takes up more space in the news feed and attracts more likes and comments.

Conclusion

En Mastering Instagram formats, you can considerably improve your presence on this essential platform. Remember the key points: adapt your content to recommended dimensions for each type of publication, exploit the potential of Reels And Stories to maximize engagement, and don't forget to optimize your profile picture. The key to success lies in consistency of your strategy and constant experimentation.

So don't wait any longer! Put these tips into practice now to boost your visibility on Instagram.

Analyze your performance, adjust your approach, and see your audience grow. The world of digital marketing is evolving rapidly, stay on the lookout for new trends to stay ahead of the curve. Welcome to our Complete guide to Instagram formats for 2025 !