What size should Instagram ads be?
Meta recommends 4:5 for Instagram Feed images, uploaded at 1,080 × 1,080 pixels or larger, and 9:16 for Stories and Reels, where its Stories spec recommends 1,080 × 1,920 pixels. Feed accepts 1.91:1 to 9:16 but may crop taller images to 4:5. Reels ads need a full-screen vertical asset, and Explore home shows ads as square tiles.
Instagram has two shapes that matter most: a vertical 4:5 frame for images in the home feed and a full-screen 9:16 frame for Stories and Reels. Meta asks for the highest resolution you have rather than a single target size, and it sets a floor of 1,080 pixels on Feed uploads. This entry covers only Instagram placements; for Facebook and the other apps, see the general image and video spec entries.
What sizes does Meta give for each Instagram placement?
| Placement | Aspect ratio | Size Meta states | Longest video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Feed, image | 1.91:1 to 9:16 supported; 4:5 recommended | At least 1,080 × 1,080 px, no maximum | Not applicable |
| Instagram Feed, video | 1.91:1 to 9:16 supported | At least 1,080 × 1,920 px, no maximum; 4 GB | 60 minutes |
| Instagram Stories | 9:16 recommended; feed ratios 1.91:1 to 4:5 accepted | 1,080 × 1,920 px recommended; 600 × 1,067 px minimum | 60 minutes |
| Instagram Reels | 9:16 recommended; full-screen vertical asset required | 1,440 × 2,560 px recommended; 250 px minimum width; 4 GB | 15 minutes in Ads Manager |
| Instagram Explore home | 1x1 tile in the grid | Not stated | Not stated |
Meta warns that taller Feed images may be cropped automatically to 4:5. Its aspect-ratio table marks 9:16 as recommended for both images and videos in Instagram Reels.
What file types and limits apply to Stories ads?
Meta’s Stories design page lists:
- Video: .mp4 or .mov, up to 4 GB, codecs H.264 or VP8, audio AAC or Vorbis
- Photo: .jpg or .png, up to 30 MB
- Images display for 5 seconds by default
Meta also says Stories ads can reuse Feed media, for example a 4:5 photo or a 9:16 video of up to 60 minutes.
What are the Reels ad requirements?
For Reels ads built in Ads Manager, Meta says the video can be up to 15 minutes and should be full-screen vertical. Meta’s Instagram troubleshooting page gives the resolution rules for reels used as ads: a 9:16 aspect ratio, a maximum file size of 4 GB and a minimum width of 250 pixels, with 1,440 × 2,560 pixels recommended.
Where should text sit in a 9:16 ad?
- Keep the top, bottom and side edges of 9:16 Stories, Reels and Feed ads clear of key elements, text and logos.
- Keep the bottom and side edges clear on 1:1 or 4:5 Instagram Feed ads.
- Leave the bottom 40% free if your Reels ad carries a disclaimer.
- Turn on the safe zone guardrail in Ads Manager to see the yellow overlay.
Meta adds that on screens taller than 9:16 it may zoom the creative, which can crop anything outside the safe zone.
How much of a video must be visible before it plays?
Meta publishes the share of pixels that must be in view before a video ad plays. On Instagram Feed it is 25%, on Reels 50%, and on Stories 100%.
FAQ
Can one image work across all Instagram placements?
Partly. Meta says Stories ads can use media sized for Feed, so a 4:5 photo can run there. Reels is stricter: Meta says only a full-screen vertical asset can be used for ads delivered to Instagram Reels, so plan a 9:16 version if you want Reels delivery.
Is there a maximum resolution for Instagram Feed ads?
No. Meta’s Feed design page states there is no maximum resolution for images or videos. It asks you to upload the highest resolution that meets the ratio requirements, with at least 1,080 × 1,080 pixels for images and 1,080 × 1,920 pixels for video.
What size are ads in Instagram Explore?
Meta describes ads in Explore home as 1x1 tiles in the Explore grid, with your account logo and an ad label, and says you can reuse Feed creative there. It gives no separate pixel size. Meta’s Explore article says that from January 2026 the Instagram Explore placement left Ads Manager; Explore home remains.
Sources
- Design requirements for Instagram Feed ads (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Design requirements for Instagram Stories ads (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- About ad formats available on Instagram (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Aspect ratios supported by placements in Meta Ads Manager (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Video length specifications across placements in Meta Ads Manager (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Create Instagram Reels ads in Meta Ads Manager (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Troubleshoot boosting content or managing ads on Instagram (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- About ads in Instagram Explore (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- About text overlays and the safe zone for ads in Stories and Reels (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
- Video ad playing specifications by placement (Meta, checked 2 Oct 2026)
Drafted with AI and checked claim by claim against the pages linked under Sources. Found a mistake? Tell us via the corrections policy.