Getting your Instagram Story dimensions right isn’t optional — use the wrong size and your content gets cropped, text gets cut off, or key design elements disappear behind the UI. Here are the exact specifications you need in 2026, plus design tips to make your Stories stand out.
Instagram Story Size & Dimensions 2026
- Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Minimum width: 500 pixels
- Maximum file size: 30 MB for photos, 250 MB for videos
- Video length: Up to 60 seconds per Story clip (longer videos are automatically split)
- Supported formats: JPG, PNG (photos); MP4, MOV (video)
Instagram Story Safe Zone
Even at the correct dimensions, parts of your Story are covered by Instagram’s UI elements — the profile bar at the top and the reply/reaction bar at the bottom. Keep critical text and design elements within the safe zone:
- Top: Avoid the top 14% (approximately 250px) — covered by your profile icon, name, and the three-dot menu.
- Bottom: Avoid the bottom 20% (approximately 390px) — covered by the reply box and story controls on mobile.
- Safe center zone: 1080 x 1420 pixels, centered in the frame.
Keeping your most important content — text, faces, products, and CTAs — within this center zone ensures nothing gets hidden on any device.
Instagram Story Video Dimensions
Video Stories follow the same 1080 x 1920px dimensions as photos. Additional specs:
- Frame rate: 30 frames per second recommended (up to 60 fps supported)
- Video codec: H.264 (recommended)
- Audio codec: AAC
- Max duration: 60 seconds per clip. Instagram automatically splits longer videos.
How to Design Instagram Stories at the Right Size
Canva: Select “Instagram Story” as your template size — it’s pre-set to 1080 x 1920px. Hundreds of free templates available.
Adobe Express: Offers Story templates and an easy drag-and-drop editor at the correct dimensions.
In-app creation: Instagram’s native story camera captures at the correct ratio. For best quality when uploading graphics, design externally at 1080 x 1920px and import.
PowerPoint / Google Slides: Set your slide dimensions to 6.075″ x 10.8″ (equivalent to 1080 x 1920px at 178 DPI). Less ideal for design work but functional for simple text slides.
Instagram Story vs. Reel vs. Feed Post Dimensions
- Story: 1080 x 1920px (9:16)
- Reel: 1080 x 1920px (9:16) — same as Story
- Feed post (square): 1080 x 1080px (1:1)
- Feed post (portrait): 1080 x 1350px (4:5) — maximum portrait ratio
- Feed post (landscape): 1080 x 566px (1.91:1)
- Carousel: Can mix square and portrait; Instagram crops to square in the feed.
Common Instagram Story Size Mistakes
Designing at 1080 x 1920px but uploading via desktop: The web version of Instagram compresses and crops Stories differently than mobile. Always review how your Story looks on a phone before saving to Highlights.
Placing text too close to edges: Even at the right dimensions, text near the edges often gets clipped on smaller screens or covered by UI elements.
Using landscape (horizontal) videos: Instagram will letterbox or crop landscape videos in Stories, creating black bars or cutting your content.
Scheduling Stories ahead of time? Floworah supports Instagram Story scheduling — design your Stories in the correct format and let Floworah handle publishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Instagram Story size in inches?
At 72 DPI: approximately 15″ x 26.67″. At 300 DPI (print quality): approximately 3.6″ x 6.4″. For digital use, always work in pixels (1080 x 1920px).
Can I post a horizontal video as an Instagram Story?
Yes, but Instagram will either letterbox it (black bars on top/bottom) or crop it to fit. For best results, always shoot or design Stories in vertical (9:16) format.
What happens if my Instagram Story is the wrong size?
Instagram will crop or letterbox content that doesn’t match the 9:16 ratio. Elements outside the visible area will be cut off, which can ruin your design.
Does Instagram reduce Story image quality?
Yes — Instagram compresses uploaded images. To minimize quality loss, export at 1080 x 1920px and 72 DPI as a high-quality JPG or PNG. Avoid uploading very small images that Instagram will upscale.
What’s the best format for Instagram Story text?
Keep text at a minimum of 40–50pt for readability on mobile. Use high-contrast colors (light text on dark backgrounds or vice versa) and position all text within the safe zone (250px from the top, 390px from the bottom).
Design the perfect Story — then schedule it automatically. Try Floworah free for 7 days — schedule Instagram Stories, Reels, and posts in advance with one easy tool. No credit card required.