Quick Reference: Instagram Reels should be 1080x1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio), exported as MP4 or MOV, max 4GB, with a frame rate of 23.976-60 FPS. Keep text and key elements within the center 1080x1350px safe zone.
Instagram Reels Technical Specifications
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Recommended Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels (Full HD) |
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 (vertical) |
| Minimum Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels |
| File Format | MP4 or MOV (H.264 codec recommended) |
| Maximum File Size | 4GB |
| Frame Rate | 23.976 to 60 FPS (30 FPS recommended) |
| Maximum Duration | 90 seconds |
| Bitrate | 8-10 Mbps (for best quality) |
Understanding the 9:16 Aspect Ratio
The 9:16 aspect ratio is the standard for Instagram Reels, designed for full-screen vertical viewing on mobile devices. This ratio fills the entire screen without black bars on top or bottom.
Why 1080x1920 Pixels?
- 1080 pixels wide provides Full HD quality without excessive file sizes
- 1920 pixels tall matches most modern smartphone screen proportions
- This resolution displays sharply on all devices, from iPhone SE to Samsung Galaxy Ultra
- Higher resolutions (like 4K vertical) get downscaled by Instagram, wasting upload time and storage
Supported Aspect Ratios and How They Display
While 9:16 is optimal, Instagram will accept other aspect ratios. Here's how each displays:
| Aspect Ratio | Example Resolution | How It Displays | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:16 (Recommended) | 1080 x 1920px | Full screen, no cropping | All Reels content |
| 4:5 | 1080 x 1350px | Centered with black bars on top/bottom | Repurposing feed posts as reels (not recommended) |
| 1:1 (Square) | 1080 x 1080px | Centered with large black bars above/below | Avoid for Reels; use feed posts instead |
| 16:9 (Landscape) | 1920 x 1080px | Centered with massive black bars; looks terrible | Never use for Reels |
| 2:3 | 1080 x 1620px | Slight black bars on top/bottom | Acceptable but not ideal |
Bottom line: Always use 9:16 for Reels. Other aspect ratios either get cropped, letterboxed, or look unprofessional.
Instagram Reels Safe Zone (Critical for Text and Graphics)
Instagram's UI elements overlay specific areas of your reel. If you place text or important visuals in these zones, they'll be covered by buttons, captions, or user information.
Safe Zone Breakdown
| Zone | Dimensions | What Gets Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Top Danger Zone | Full width, top 250px | Username, three-dot menu, audio info |
| Bottom Danger Zone | Full width, bottom 320px | Caption text, like/comment/share buttons, progress bar |
| Safe Zone (Center) | 1080 x 1350px (centered vertically) | Nothing; all content here is fully visible |
Safe Zone Guidelines
- Keep all text and key graphics in the center 1080 x 1350px area
- Avoid placing logos, CTAs, or important visuals in the top 250px or bottom 320px
- Background visuals can extend to full 1080 x 1920px (scenery, patterns, etc.)
- Test your reel on Instagram before publishing to ensure nothing critical is cut off
Pro Tip: Design for the Safe Zone First
When creating reels in editing software, add guides at 250px from the top and 320px from the bottom. This ensures you never accidentally place text where Instagram's UI will cover it. Your viewers should never have to choose between reading your text or Instagram's caption.
Instagram Reels Cover Photo Dimensions
Your reel's cover photo (thumbnail) appears in your profile grid and when reels are shared. It has different specs than the reel itself:
| Cover Photo Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 (vertical, same as reel) |
| Recommended Resolution | 1080 x 1920px |
| File Format | JPG or PNG |
| Display in Grid | Cropped to square (1:1) for profile view |
Cover Photo Design Tips
- Design your cover in 9:16, but keep the most important visual elements centered in a 1080x1080px square (since profile grids crop to square)
- Use bold text that's readable at small sizes
- Maintain brand consistency across all reel covers
- Avoid cluttering the cover; simple designs perform better
Export Settings for Popular Editing Software
Use these settings to export Instagram Reels from common video editing tools:
Adobe Premiere Pro
- Format: H.264
- Preset: Match Source - High bitrate
- Width: 1080px
- Height: 1920px
- Frame Rate: 30 FPS
- Bitrate: VBR, 1 pass, Target 8-10 Mbps
Final Cut Pro
- Format: Video and Audio
- Video Codec: H.264
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920
- Quality: High (8-10 Mbps)
- Frame Rate: 30 FPS
CapCut (Mobile & Desktop)
- Resolution: 1080p
- Frame Rate: 30 FPS
- Format: MP4
- Quality: Smart HDR or High
- CapCut automatically optimizes for Instagram if you select "Instagram" export preset
Canva Video
- Custom Dimensions: 1080 x 1920px
- Download as: MP4 Video
- Quality: Standard or High (paid plans)
- Canva has a pre-built "Instagram Reel" template sized correctly
DaVinci Resolve
- Format: MP4
- Codec: H.264
- Resolution: Custom 1080 x 1920
- Frame Rate: 30 FPS
- Quality: Restrict to 10,000 kbps
Common Dimension Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Wrong Aspect Ratio
Mistake: Uploading 16:9 landscape video. Fix: Always export at 9:16 (1080x1920px) for Reels.
Text in Danger Zones
Mistake: Placing text near top or bottom edges. Fix: Keep text in the center 1080x1350px safe zone.
Low Resolution
Mistake: Exporting at 720p or lower. Fix: Always use 1080x1920px for crisp, professional quality.
Huge File Sizes
Mistake: Exporting 4K or uncompressed video. Fix: Use H.264 codec at 8-10 Mbps bitrate.
The TikTok Watermark Problem
If you're repurposing TikTok content for Instagram Reels, be aware of these issues:
- TikTok videos often have a 1080x1920 resolution, which matches Instagram—but they include a visible TikTok watermark
- Instagram's algorithm actively deprioritizes content with TikTok watermarks
- Solution: Re-edit the video natively for Instagram, or use a watermark removal tool (with caution for quality loss)
How Dimensions Impact Performance
Using the correct dimensions isn't just about aesthetics—it directly affects how Instagram's algorithm treats your content.
| Dimension Issue | Impact on Performance |
|---|---|
| Wrong aspect ratio (16:9, 1:1) | Black bars signal low-quality content; algorithm deprioritizes |
| Low resolution (below 1080p) | Blurry visuals cause viewers to scroll past; reduces watch time |
| Text outside safe zone | Viewers can't read captions; hurts engagement and completion rate |
| Oversized file (4K, uncompressed) | Slow upload, Instagram compresses harshly, quality degrades |
| Correct specs (1080x1920, 9:16) | Professional appearance, full-screen display, better algorithm performance |
While dimensions alone won't make a reel go viral, incorrect dimensions will almost certainly hurt performance. Instagram rewards content that looks native to the platform.
Creating Reels in Different Tools
Canva (Web & Mobile)
- Select "Create a Design" → Search for "Instagram Reel" or set custom dimensions to 1080 x 1920px
- Design your video using Canva's templates, elements, and animations
- Add text, keeping it within the center safe zone
- Download as MP4
CapCut (Mobile & Desktop)
- Open CapCut and start a New Project
- Select 9:16 ratio (or Instagram Reel preset)
- Import your footage and edit
- Export at 1080p, 30 FPS, Smart HDR
Adobe Premiere Pro
- Create a new sequence with Custom Settings: 1080 x 1920, 30 FPS
- Edit your video, using guides at 250px (top) and 1600px (bottom) to mark safe zones
- Export using Media Encoder with H.264, VBR 1-pass, 8-10 Mbps
iPhone (Native Camera + Instagram)
- Record video in vertical mode using your iPhone camera
- Open Instagram → Reels → Upload your video
- Instagram will automatically format to 9:16 if shot vertically
- Add text using Instagram's text tool (keeps text in safe zones automatically)
Testing Your Reels Dimensions Before Publishing
Before posting, always preview your reel to ensure it displays correctly:
- Upload your reel to Instagram but don't publish yet
- Preview in the Instagram editor to see where text and graphics land
- Check that no text is covered by the username, caption area, or buttons
- Verify aspect ratio – if you see black bars, re-export at 9:16
- If everything looks good, proceed to publish
Analyzing Which Dimensions Work Best for Your Content
While 9:16 is the standard, you might wonder if certain styles (close-ups, wide shots, text-heavy graphics) perform better within that ratio. The answer is highly audience-specific.
After posting 15-20 reels, look for patterns in which visual styles get the highest engagement. Analyze whether reels with prominent text, minimal text, centered subjects, or edge-to-edge visuals drive better performance for your specific audience.
While Instagram Insights shows basic metrics, you can use tools like IShort to quickly sort and analyze your reels by views, engagement, and other metrics to spot patterns in what works best for your content style.
Quick Reference Checklist
Before exporting your next Instagram Reel, run through this checklist:
- ✅ Resolution set to 1080 x 1920 pixels
- ✅ Aspect ratio is 9:16
- ✅ Format is MP4 or MOV
- ✅ Codec is H.264
- ✅ Frame rate is 30 FPS (or 23.976-60 FPS)
- ✅ Bitrate is 8-10 Mbps
- ✅ File size is under 4GB
- ✅ All text and key visuals are in the center safe zone (not in top 250px or bottom 320px)
- ✅ No TikTok watermarks visible
- ✅ Video is under 90 seconds
Final Thoughts
Instagram Reels dimensions aren't complicated, but getting them wrong can significantly hurt your content's performance. Stick to 1080 x 1920 pixels at 9:16 aspect ratio, keep text in the safe zone, and export with the proper codec settings.
The technical specs exist to ensure your reels look professional, display correctly on all devices, and aren't penalized by Instagram's algorithm. Once you set up your editing software with the correct presets, creating properly-sized reels becomes second nature.
Focus on creating great content, and let the technical details fade into the background. When your reels are properly formatted, viewers never notice the specs—they just enjoy the content.