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Instagram formats

Recommended sizes for Instagram feed posts, carousels, Reels, and Stories, plus safe zones and prompt tips.

Instagram rewards clear vertical-friendly creatives. Use these defaults when you ask the assistant for Instagram content.

Feed post

Best default: portrait 4:5 at 1080×1350.

Why: taller posts take more feed space than square crops. Keep the subject centered; the grid may crop toward a slightly tighter frame.

Useful alternates:

  • 1:1 when you need a classic square
  • 1.91:1 for more landscape, link-style framing (less ideal for organic stills)

How to ask:

  • “Create an Instagram feed post, 4:5, product hero centered, short caption with CTA.”

Carousel

Best default: 4:5, about 7 slides, up to 20 slides max.

Rules that matter:

  • Use the same aspect ratio on every slide. The first slide locks the crop for the rest.
  • Put the hook on slide 1 (title or bold claim).
  • Keep on-slide text large and high contrast.

Alternate: 1:1 if you also cross-post the same assets elsewhere.

How to ask:

  • “Instagram carousel, 7 slides, 4:5, tip series on sleep habits, hook on slide 1, matching style throughout.”

Reel

Best default: 9:16 at 1080×1920.

Duration sweet spot is often under 30-60 seconds (short hooks perform well). Prefer a clear first 1-3 seconds.

Safe zones: keep critical faces and text away from roughly the top 14% and bottom 20%, where Instagram UI overlays sit. Cover art should also be 9:16.

How to ask:

  • “Instagram Reel, 9:16, 20-30 seconds, hook in 2 seconds, on-screen captions, no important text near edges.”

Story

Best default: 9:16 at 1080×1920.

Stories are media-first. Bake titles and CTAs into the image or video. Keep interactive and readable elements away from edges and UI chrome.

How to ask:

  • “Instagram Story, 9:16, bold title in the center, soft CTA above the bottom UI area.”

Caption tips

  • Lead with the most important line; many people only see the preview.
  • Match caption language to on-slide text.
  • Hashtags: use when they help discovery; avoid stuffing.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing ratios inside one carousel
  • Landscape stills that look tiny in the feed
  • Putting the only CTA in the bottom overlay zone on Reels/Stories
  • Asking for a Story as caption-only (Stories need media)

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