How to Resize an Image for Instagram (Post, Portrait and Story)
By SEOAnalytics Lab · Updated · 4 min read
You take a great photo, upload it to Instagram and the app crops it in a way you did not want, or the picture looks soft and blurry. This happens when the photo does not match the size and shape that Instagram expects. The fix is simple: resize the picture to the right size before you upload it.
This guide shows the common Instagram sizes, how to resize any photo to fit them without stretching it, and a few tips to keep the picture sharp.
Common Instagram image sizes
Instagram changes its recommended sizes from time to time, so check the app if you need an exact size for an important post. These are the sizes most people use today.
- Square post. 1080 x 1080 pixels. The classic shape that works everywhere on your profile grid.
- Portrait post. 1080 x 1350 pixels. Takes more space in the feed, so it stands out more.
- Story and Reel cover. 1080 x 1920 pixels. A tall picture that fills the whole phone screen.
Why your photo gets cropped or looks blurry
Instagram shows pictures in fixed shapes. If your photo has a different shape, the app crops the edges to make it fit, and you may lose part of a face or a text. If the picture is very large or very small, the app also compresses or enlarges it, which can make it look soft.
When you resize the photo to the exact size yourself, you decide what is kept in the frame, and the picture reaches Instagram in a size that needs less change.
Step-by-step: resize an image for Instagram
- Step 1: Add your photo. Open the Image Resizer and drag your photo into the box, or click Choose images.
- Step 2: Choose Social presets. Select the Social presets method and pick the Instagram size you need.
- Step 3: Check the preview. The picture is scaled and cropped from the center to fill the exact size. Make sure the important part is still inside the frame.
- Step 4: Choose the format. JPG is a good choice for photos. Use PNG only if the picture has text or sharp graphics and you want the cleanest edges.
- Step 5: Download and upload. Download the picture and upload it to Instagram from your phone.
Resize without cropping
Presets fit your photo to an exact shape by cropping. If you do not want any part cut off, use the By size method instead, and keep Aspect ratio turned on. Enter only the width, such as 1080, and the height is calculated for you, so the whole picture is kept and nothing is stretched.
Tips for sharp Instagram pictures
- Start from the biggest original. A larger photo gives a sharper result when it is made smaller.
- Keep the subject near the center. Presets crop from the center, so faces and text should not sit near the edges.
- Avoid enlarging small photos. Making a picture bigger than its original makes it look soft. Use a larger original if you can.
- Keep Aspect ratio on. Turning it off stretches the picture, and faces and logos look wrong.
- Keep your originals. Resizing creates new files, so keep the originals in case you need another size later.
Common problems and fixes
- The picture looks stretched. Aspect ratio was off. Turn it on and enter only one side.
- Part of my photo is cut off. The preset crops to fit. Use the By size method to keep the whole picture.
- The picture looks blurry. The original may be too small. Start from a larger photo, or keep the picture at its real size.
- The file is too large. Lower the quality, choose JPG or WebP, or use the Image Compressor after resizing.
Resize your photo now
Add your photo in the Image Resizer, pick the Instagram preset and download it in seconds. Everything happens in your browser, so your pictures are never uploaded. It is free, adds no watermark and needs no signup.
Frequently asked questions
What size should an Instagram post be?
A square post is 1080 x 1080 pixels and a portrait post is 1080 x 1350 pixels. Stories and Reel covers use 1080 x 1920 pixels.
How do I resize a photo for Instagram without cropping?
Use the By size method, keep Aspect ratio on and enter only the width, such as 1080. The height follows automatically and nothing is cut off.
Why does my photo look blurry on Instagram?
The original may be too small, or it was enlarged. Start from the largest original you have and resize it down to the Instagram size.
Is this Instagram image resizer free?
Yes. It is free, adds no watermark and needs no signup, and your pictures stay in your browser.