Instagram Carousel Size
Instagram Guide
Instagram Carousel Size & Dimensions
Instagram carousels let you share up to 20 images or videos in a single post. Getting the dimensions right is essential — all slides must use the same aspect ratio. Here are the optimal carousel sizes for 2026.
Last updated: February 2026
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Instagram Dimensions at a Glance
| Format | Width | Height | Aspect Ratio | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Portrait carousel (preset, recommended) Explicit ratio in the carousel uploader — no crop, max feed engagement | 1080px | 1350px | 4:5 | 1080x1350 |
Square carousel (preset) Explicit ratio — safe everywhere, classic look | 1080px | 1080px | 1:1 | 1080x1080 |
Tall carousel (Original mode) Reachable by uploading a tall source via the 'Original' option — caps at 3:4 even from taller sources | 1080px | 1440px | 3:4 | 1080x1440 |
Landscape carousel (preset) Explicit ratio — less common, useful for wide content | 1080px | 566px | 1.91:1 | 1080x566 |
Quick Reference
1080x1350
Portrait carousel (preset, recommended)
1080 x 1350
4:5
1080x1080
Square carousel (preset)
1080 x 1080
1:1
1080x1440
Tall carousel (Original mode)
1080 x 1440
3:4
1080x566
Landscape carousel (preset)
1080 x 566
1.91:1
Safe Zone
Platform UI elements cover parts of your content. Keep important text and visuals inside the safe zone.
Like, comment, caption (130px)
Safe zone
1080×1220
Tips & Best Practices
Use 1080x1350 (portrait 4:5) for carousels — it's the explicit preset that gets the highest engagement and matches the carousel uploader's default ratio.
The carousel uploader offers four explicit options: 1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1, and 'Original'. 'Original' caps at 3:4 (1080x1440) for tall sources.
If you upload a 9:16 image to a carousel, Instagram crops it down to 3:4. Upload at 1080x1440 directly to skip the crop.
All slides in a carousel must have the same aspect ratio. Instagram uses the first slide's ratio for all subsequent slides.
You can include up to 20 slides per carousel post.
Mix images and videos in the same carousel for variety, but keep the same dimensions.
The first slide is your hook. Use bold text or an attention-grabbing image to encourage swiping.
For educational or text-based carousels, use PNG at 1080x1350 to keep text sharp. For photo carousels, JPG keeps file sizes manageable.
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Why 4:5 Portrait Gets More Engagement
Portrait (4:5) carousels take up roughly 25% more screen space in the feed compared to square (1:1) posts. This larger visual footprint means followers spend more time looking at your content as they scroll, which signals higher engagement to Instagram's algorithm. Studies consistently show that 4:5 carousels generate more saves, shares, and comments than square or landscape formats. The taller canvas also gives you more room for text, context, and visual hierarchy — making it the preferred format for educational content, product showcases, and storytelling posts.
File Specs for Carousel Slides
Instagram supports JPG, PNG, and WebP for carousel images, and MP4/MOV for video slides. Each slide can be up to 30 MB for images. Video slides support up to 60 seconds at a maximum file size of 250 MB. For text-heavy carousels (tips, quotes, infographics), export as PNG to preserve sharp text edges. For photo-based carousels, JPG at 85-95% quality offers the best balance. All slides should be exported at the same resolution — Instagram will crop mismatched slides to the first slide's aspect ratio, potentially cutting off content.
Mixing Images and Video in Carousels
Instagram allows you to combine static images and video clips in the same carousel. This is effective for formats like product reveals (photo → video demo → photo with details) or tutorials (intro slide → step-by-step video → summary slide). When mixing media types, ensure all slides use the same aspect ratio. Video slides should be exported at the same pixel dimensions as your images (e.g., 1080x1350 for 4:5). Use consistent visual branding across slides — matching fonts, colors, and layout structure — so the carousel feels cohesive as viewers swipe through.
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