Video Format for Instagram Reels, Stories & More [Guide]

Instagram is one of the world’s most popular platforms these days. Are you an Instagram user? Then, do you know what type of video format for Instagram is accepted and which one is the best?

Check out this article to find out the answers to these questions!

A guide to format video for Instagram

A guide to format video for Instagram

Table of contents

Different Types of Instagram Videos

What Are Video Formats Supported By Instagram?

Video Format for Instagram

Instagram Video Format Ratio, Dimensions & Resolutions

Different Types of Instagram Videos

Currently, there are four main types of Instagram videos.

Instagram feed video

In 2021, Instagram launched Instagram videos to make it as easy as possible for users to produce and find videos.

This platform established a single place for longer-form content by combining IGTV videos and Instagram feed videos into a single format.

Instagram stories

Instagram story video

Instagram story video

Instagram users may share videos and photos with a 24-hour expiration date by using the Instagram story feature.

When you share a story, your profile image and the vibrant circle surrounding it will show up at the top of the home screen for those who follow you.

Instagram reels

Instagram Reels are multi-clip videos that may have AR effects, music, transitions, and other elements added, much like Tik Tok.

Instagram reels

Instagram reels

Similar to TikTok's "For You" page, this new Instagram video style is ideal for expanding visibility and reaching new viewers because of its specialized reel feed.

Instagram live videos

Instagram live videos provide marketers the opportunity to interact with followers in real-time.

Actually, a lot of customers would prefer to watch a brand's live video than to read a typical social media post.

Types of Instagram videos

Types of Instagram videos

What Are Video Formats Supported By Instagram?

For videos, Instagram accepts MP4, MOV, and GIF file formats.

But when it comes to the best Instagram video formats, well, it should be MP4 (with H.264 Codec, AAC audio, and 3500 kbps bitrate for video).

So, the next time you export your videos (from an editing software) to use for Instagram, it’s best to save them in MP4 format (with the file extension .mp4).

MP4 is short for MPEG-4 video.

Nothing but its simplicity and accessibility make MP4 the best video file format Instagram.

MP4 is the best video file format for Instagram

MP4 is the best video file format for Instagram

These days, almost every smartphone and lots of editing software support this video format, allowing us to create videos as MP4 files.

If your videos are not MP4 files, you can convert them to MP4 using a video converter or video editing software.

Now you know about video format Instagram.

Let’s move on to the next part of this writing to learn about the standard specifications for Instagram videos.

Video Format for Instagram

As was previously discussed, there are four distinct kinds of Instagram videos, and they all have unique Instagram video format and size.

For further information, continue reading!

Type of Instagram Video	Video Format	Size & Dimension
In-feed video	MP4, MOV, GIF	1080 x 1350p
Stories video	MP4, MOV, GIF	1080 x 1920p
Reels video	MP4, MOV	1080 x 1920p
Live video	MP4, MOV	1080 x 1920p

Read more: Best video size for Facebook

Instagram Video Format Ratio, Dimensions & Resolutions

There are different sizes, dimensions, and resolutions for different kinds of videos on Instagram.

Square videos - 1:1 aspect ratio

They are suitable for In-feed videos and Instagram Carousels.

The minimum resolution for Instagram square videos is 600 x 600 while the maximum and also the recommended resolution is 1080 x1080.

Square videos tend to gain more engagement and views compared to landscape videos.

Resolution: 600 x 600
Aspect ratio: 1:1
Max size & length: 4 GB/60 seconds

Instagram square video

Instagram square video

Portrait videos - 4:5 aspect ratio

Similar to square videos, portrait videos are also suitable to use for In-feed videos and Instagram Carousels.

The minimum resolution for Instagram portrait videos is 600 x 750 while the maximum and also the recommended resolution is 1080 x 1350.

Resolution: 600 x 750
Aspect ratio: 4:5
Max size & length: 4 GB/60 seconds

Instagram portrait video

Instagram portrait video

Landscape videos - 1.91:1 to 16:9 aspect ratio

The 16:9 aspect ratio is more recommended to use as it is easier to manage.

Well, landscape videos are used for In-feed videos and Carousels on Instagram. Also, IGTV videos can be watched in the 16:9 ratio by turning the phone.

The minimum resolution for Instagram landscape videos is 600 x 315 while the maximum and also the recommended resolution is 1080 x 608.

Out of video dimensions for Instagram, landscape video seems to be the least likely to be used on this platform.

Resolution: 600 x 315
Aspect ratio: 1:91:1
Max size & length: 4 GB/60 seconds

Instagram landscape video

Instagram landscape video

Vertical videos - 9:16 aspect ratio

Considered the best aspect ratio for videos on Instagram, we can use vertical videos for Instagram Stories, Instagram Reels, Instagram Live, and IGTV.

The minimum resolution for Instagram vertical videos is 600 x 1067 while the maximum and also the recommended resolution is 1080 x 1920.

Resolution: 600 x 1067
Aspect ratio: 9:16
Max size & length: 4 GB/60 seconds

Instagram vertical video

Instagram vertical video

After all, it’s important to keep in mind that MP4 is the best video format to use on this social network platform. Well, that’s all for today’s article, “Video format for Instagram” and other things to know. Hope you found this post interesting and useful.