Best Video Size for Instagram & Helpful Tips for High-Quality Videos

What’s the best video size for Instagram?

Posting a video that doesn’t fit the required dimension can ruin your audience's and your followers' viewing experience.

From the marketing perspective, it’s considered a big mistake and even a failure when you can’t offer your audience the best watching experience.

To avoid that, keep reading to know the best video file size for Instagram!

What size should Instagram videos be?

Best Video Size for Instagram

As consumer preferences move toward visual and interactive media, businesses must adapt to stay engaged and generate growth. 

As a result, understanding the nuances of Instagram video sizes and video formats for Instagram is critical for optimizing content and increasing exposure.

See the details below!

Instagram Feed Video

For in-feed videos, Instagram accepts different video formats, including vertical, horizon, and square. Here are the primary video requirements for uploading Instagram feed videos:

• Video file type: MP4 or MOV

• Aspect ratio: 

  • Between 1.91:1 and 16:9 for horizontal videos

  • 4:5 for vertical videos

  • 1:1 for square videos

• Minimum resolution: 

  • 600×315 for horizontal videos

  • 600×750 for vertical videos

  • 600×600 for square

• Maximum file size: 4GB

• Maximum duration: 60 seconds (no minimum length required)

• Frame rate: 30 fps or less

Instagram Feed Video size

Though the minimum resolution for Instagram Feed video posts is 600px, it is recommended to use 1080px to ensure the best video quality on Instagram to attract views and engagement. 

Instagram Stories

By offering quick and engaging interactive experiences in short videos, Stories videos are among the most commonly used video types on Instagram. 

Here is the best video size for Instagram Story and other requirements:

• Video file type: MP4 or MOV

• Aspect ratio: 9:16

• Minimum resolution: 600x1067px

• Maximum file size: 4GB

• Maximum duration: 15 seconds (If you upload a video that is longer than 15 seconds to Instagram Stories, the platform will split it up into 15-second Stories clips)

Instagram Stories

Though the minimum video resolution for Instagram Stories posts is 600px by 1067px, the aspect ratio of 9:16 with a video size of 1080px by 1920px is recommended to ensure the best quality for the video.

Instagram IGTV Video

IGTV made its debut in 2018. Since the rollout, IGTV has become more and more popular and widely used. Instagram users love watching IGTV, so it's critical that the videos you share there are all easy to watch. 

The following is the best video size for Instagram IGTV videos that you should know. 

• Video file type: MP4 only

• Aspect ratio: 16:9 for horizontal videos and 9:16 for vertical videos

• Minimum resolution: 720px

• Minimum length: 1 minute

• Maximum length:

  • 15 minutes for videos uploaded from a mobile device

  • Up to 69 minutes for videos uploaded from the web

• Maximum file size: 

  • 650MB for videos that are 10 minutes or shorter

  • 3.6GB for videos that are up to 60 minutes

• Frame rates: at least 30 frames per second

Instagram IGTV Video

Though the minimum video resolution for IGTV posts is 720px, it’s recommended to use 1080px.

Instagram Reels

A lot like Instagram Stories, Reels are made to be watched full-screen, vertically, and on mobile devices. The following are the requirements for the Instagram Reels video that you should know. 

• Video file type: MP4 and MOV (MP4 recommended)

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (highly recommended)

• Minimum resolution: 600x1067px

• Video length: Up to 30 seconds (If you create a video that is longer than 30 seconds for Reels, Instagram will let you trim parts of the video to keep it in the length of no more than 30 seconds.) 

• Maximum file size: 4GB

• Frame rate: 30 frames per second or less

Instagram Reels

The minimum resolution for Instagram Reels is 600x1067 pixels, but it’s not the optimal resolution to use. 

To retain the highest video quality, it’s recommended to upload your Reels with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels, which is also the suggested resolution for Instagram Stories.

But it’s worth noting that, unlike Instagram Stories, Reels videos can appear in the newsfeed. When appearing in the feed, Reels videos’ displayed ratio is reduced to 4:5. 

So make sure that the most valuable information is always in the center of your Reels video.

Instagram Carousel Video Ads

Instagram Carousel video ads are meant to increase engagement. The ability to browse to the left and consume video content leads to longer watch times. 

Instagram Carousel Video Ads

Below is the best size for Instagram video ads and specifications:

• Video file type: MP4 or MOV

• Aspect ratio: 1:1 or 4:5

• Minimum resolution: 600x600px or 600x750px

• Maximum file size: 30MB

• Maximum duration: 60 seconds

Instagram Live

The Instagram Live feature lets users broadcast to their followers in real-time. Live videos may run up to four hours and are an excellent opportunity to interact with your audience via Q&A sessions, live events, or product releases. 

Instagram Live

Moreover, the interactive aspect encourages direct communication and instant feedback, which strengthens your connection with those who follow you.

• Video file type: Live-streamed (no upload file type required)

• Aspect ratio: 9:16

• Minimum resolution: 720x1280px

• Maximum file size: Mono, up to 256 Kbps

• Maximum duration: 4 hours per live session

► More to explore: Best video size for Facebook

Why Instagram Video Size Matters

Selecting what size should Instagram videos be is critical for improving the visual appeal and usefulness of your content.

Instagram's platform is very visual, and different content types, such as Stories, Reels, and IGTV, have specialized requirements to make videos look great and load quickly. 

Using the proper sizes avoids distortion, cropping, and poor quality, which can detract from viewer attention. 

Videos that do not meet Instagram's aspect ratios may seem unprofessional or be chopped off, resulting in the loss of important messages or branding elements. 

Why Instagram video size matters

In addition, correct sizing enhances the user experience by providing sharp, clear graphics that blend easily into the Instagram feed. It allows marketers to attract attention in a congested space. 

Tips to Get High-Quality Instagram Videos

Creating high-quality videos for Instagram necessitates meticulous attention to detail and a thorough grasp of the platform's intricacies. Here are useful tips to help you create compelling and visually beautiful Instagram videos.

Shoot vertically

Instagram is largely a mobile app, and vertical videos (9:16 aspect ratio) make the most of the screen area, particularly in Stories, Reels, and IGTV. 

Shooting vertically guarantees that your content seems natural and immersive on the devices of your users.

Make use of Instagram’s built-in features

Instagram provides a range of tools and features that might help you improve your videos. Use effects, stickers, filters, and text overlays to make your videos more interesting and interactive.

Make use of Instagram’s built-in features

For instance, you may use the "Poll" sticker in your Instagram Story videos to interact with your audience through asking them questions about their preferences or thoughts, making your content more engaging and enjoyable.

Make the first few seconds count

The initial few seconds of your video are critical for attracting the audience's attention. Begin with a fascinating hook or an eye-catching picture to entice people right away.

To illustrate, if you're a fitness influencer and are filming a fitness routine video, begin with an exciting introduction or a sneak preview of a high-intensity workout to capture viewers' interest and encourage them to watch the full video.

Keep it short

Keep it short

Attention spans on social media are short. Keep your videos brief and to the point. Instagram Stories may be as long as 60 seconds, whereas Reels can be up to 90 seconds. 

With that said, concentrate on conveying your point swiftly and efficiently.

Add subtitles and captions

Many Instagram users see videos without sound. Thus, adding captions or subtitles guarantees that your content is conveyed even when the audio is muted. This makes your content more accessible.

This is especially vital if you're doing motivating speeches or educational videos.