Instagram Reels Size

By Peter Assentorp Instagram reels size

What is the Instagram Reels Size? This is one of the most common questions I get. Instagram Reels have become one of the platform's most powerful features for reaching new audiences and growing your account. Getting the size right ensures your content looks professional and maximizes engagement. On this page you will find everything from the perfect size to use as well as free templates for the most popular design tools.

Reels

Video

1080 × 1920

Reels show up as 4:5 in the feed when people are scrolling so keep this in mind when you’re creating them.

Download Free Templates

What if a size changes?

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What is the Instagram Reels size in pixels?

An Instagram Reel displays at 1080 × 1920 pixels. This vertical format is optimized for mobile viewing and takes up the full screen on smartphones. Instagram Reels are a powerful feature that allows you to create short, engaging videos that can reach audiences far beyond your followers through the Reels tab and Explore page.

The 9:16 aspect ratio is the standard for vertical video and is used across most social media platforms. This means you can create content once and repurpose it across Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and more. Instagram Reels can be up to 90 seconds long, giving you plenty of time to tell your story or showcase your content.

What does 9:16 aspect ratio mean for Instagram Reels?

The aspect ratio of a video refers to the relationship between its width and height. An aspect ratio of 9:16 on Instagram Reels means that the width is 9 units, and the height is 16 units. This vertical format is specifically designed for mobile viewing, where phones are held upright.

To put it simply, 1080 x 1920 pixels is a 9:16 aspect ratio. To do the math:
1 unit = 120 pixels
9 units = 120 × 9 = 1080 pixels (width)
16 units = 120 × 16 = 1920 pixels (height)

The aspect ratio is scalable, meaning that 540 x 960 is also a 9:16 aspect ratio. However, you should always use the full 1080 x 1920 resolution for the best quality on high-resolution displays.

How do I create Instagram Reels?

There are many great tools you can use to create professional-looking Instagram Reels. Some of the most popular options include:

CapCut - Popular mobile and desktop video editor
Adobe Premiere Pro - Professional video editing
Final Cut Pro - Mac video editing software
InShot - Mobile video editing app
Canva - Easy-to-use with video templates
Adobe After Effects - Motion graphics and effects
DaVinci Resolve - Free professional editing software
iMovie - Free for Mac and iOS users

If you're looking for a free alternative, you can use our 100% Free Social Image Maker to create static assets for your Reels. This image maker already has the Instagram Reels size available out of the box, so you don't have to look up the dimensions to get started. It's easy to use and receives regular updates and improvements.

Best practices for Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are designed for entertaining, engaging content that captures attention quickly. Unlike Stories, Reels are permanent and can be discovered by users who don't follow you, making them a powerful tool for growth. Here are some tips for creating engaging Reels:

Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds
Design for vertical viewing - never use horizontal content
Keep text large and easy to read on small screens
Leave safe zones at the top and bottom (about 250px each) for UI elements
Use trending audio to increase discoverability
Add captions for accessibility and silent viewing
Keep videos between 15-30 seconds for best engagement
Use high-quality footage with good lighting
Include a clear call-to-action
Post consistently to build momentum
Use relevant hashtags (3-5 is optimal)

What's the difference between Instagram Reels and Stories?

While both Instagram Reels and Stories use the same vertical 9:16 aspect ratio (1080 x 1920 pixels), they serve very different purposes. Stories disappear after 24 hours and are more casual, appearing at the top of the app and only visible to your followers. Reels are permanent (unless you delete them), appear in multiple places including the Reels tab, Explore page, and your profile grid, and are designed for more polished, entertaining content that can reach a much wider audience.

Reels can be up to 90 seconds long, while Stories are limited to 15 seconds per segment. Reels also support trending audio, effects, and are prioritized by Instagram's algorithm for discovery. Think of Stories as ephemeral content for your existing audience, and Reels as evergreen content for growth and discovery.

Learn more about Instagram Stories Size, Instagram Post Size, and Instagram Profile Picture Size on our other pages.

Instagram Reels vs TikTok: Same size?

Yes! Instagram Reels and TikTok use the exact same video dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This is great news for content creators because you can create one video and post it to both platforms without any resizing or reformatting. However, keep in mind that each platform has its own culture, trends, and best practices.

While the technical specifications are identical, TikTok videos can be up to 10 minutes long (for some accounts), while Instagram Reels are capped at 90 seconds. Both platforms prioritize vertical video and mobile-first viewing experiences. Many successful creators repurpose content across both platforms, adjusting captions and hashtags to fit each platform's audience.

Common mistakes to avoid with Instagram Reels

One of the biggest mistakes people make with Instagram Reels is not designing for the safe zones. Instagram's UI elements (profile picture, caption text, and action buttons) cover portions of your Reel, especially at the top and bottom. Always keep important text and visual elements within the safe zone to avoid them being covered.

Another common mistake is using horizontal videos. Unlike feed posts where you can use various aspect ratios, Reels are specifically designed for vertical content. Horizontal content will appear with large black bars above and below, wasting valuable screen space and looking unprofessional. Additionally, Reels displayed as 4:5 in the feed when people are scrolling, so keep this in mind when framing your shots.

Finally, avoid reposting TikTok videos with the TikTok watermark. Instagram's algorithm deprioritizes content with watermarks from other platforms. If you're repurposing content, export it without watermarks or create native content for each platform.