Instagram Ad Sizes and Dimensions: Every Spec for 2026

Getting your Instagram ad dimensions wrong can tank your campaign before it even starts. You upload what you think is a perfect creative, hit launch, and then discover it's cropped awkwardly or looks blurry on mobile screens. With over 2.3 billion monthly users on Instagram, the platform offers massive reach, but only if your ads meet format requirements.

Here's the short answer before the detail: use 1080×1080 (1:1) or 1080×1350 (4:5) for feed ads, and 1080×1920 (9:16) for Stories and Reels. That covers most of what you'll launch. Everything past that is placement-specific nuance, and that's what the rest of this guide walks through.

This guide covers Instagram ad dimensions for every major format: feeds, Stories, Reels, carousels, and more. You'll get recommended pixel sizes, aspect ratios, file limits, and best practices (including safe zones and text limits) so your creative looks perfect in each placement.

By the end, you'll know exactly what size and format to use for every Instagram ad, and how to produce these variants efficiently without wasting hours resizing assets manually.

Instagram Ad Sizes and Specs: 2026 Quick Reference Table

If you need a fast answer, here's a cheat sheet of the most important Instagram ad dimensions and specs. Every figure below is pulled straight from the detailed sections later in this guide.

Now let's break down each category in detail with practical tips and considerations.

What Are the Best Instagram Feed Ad Dimensions?

The best Instagram feed ad dimensions are 1080×1350 pixels at a 4:5 aspect ratio, with 1080×1080 (1:1 square) as the strong runner-up. Both fill more screen space than landscape, and that extra real estate is what wins attention in a scrolling feed.

Feed ads are the sponsored posts that appear in users' main scrolling feed. They can be single image, single video, or carousel format. Getting the dimensions right matters because a poorly cropped or low-resolution image will stick out (in a bad way) among organic content.

Instagram Feed Image Ad Sizes and Specs

For image ads in the Instagram feed, the platform supports square, landscape, and portrait images. But square (1:1) and vertical portrait (4:5) images tend to perform best because they occupy more screen space. Instagram's recent updates indicate that the classic 1:1 square image is becoming less dominant, and 4:5 portrait has become the preferred format for feed posts.

Recommended resolution: 1080×1080 pixels for square, or 1080×1350 pixels for vertical 4:5. Both meet the minimum resolution requirement. Instagram won't display higher than 1080px width, but uploading a larger image up to 1440px can provide extra clarity on high-density screens. Always ensure at least 1080px on the short side to avoid blurriness.

Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (vertical) are recommended. Instagram Feed also allows landscape images up to 1.91:1 ratio (approximately 1200×628 px is a common landscape size). In numeric terms, the allowed range is 1.91:1 (wide) up to 4:5 (tall) for feed images. Anything outside that range gets cropped or padded. This matches Meta's own design requirements for Instagram feed ads, which cap the tallest supported ratio at vertical 4:5 for images and videos without links.

File format & size: JPEG or PNG image formats are standard. File size can be up to 30 MB per image, but in practice most compressed JPGs will be much smaller. Aim for high quality (minimum compression) to avoid artifacts, since Instagram will apply some compression too.

Text considerations: Instagram feed ads can include a caption (primary text) up to 2,200 characters, but only the first ~125 characters will show before truncation for most users. There's also an optional headline field (up to 40 characters) that may appear below the image on certain formats. But in the Instagram feed placement, users typically just see the caption and a "Sponsored" label. If you use hashtags, note that you can include up to 30, but too much text can get cut off. For a clean look, keep captions concise and front-load important info or calls to action.

Pro Tip: Design your feed images knowing that Instagram may crop or mask the edges on certain screen sizes or in the grid view. Stick to the recommended aspect ratios. If you use a vertical 4:5 image, keep any logos or text away from the very edges.

Instagram Feed Video Ad Dimensions and Requirements

Instagram feed video ads appear as video posts in the scrolling feed, with a small "Sponsored" label. They auto-play muted by default as they come into view.

Recommended size & ratio: For feed video, vertical or nearly-vertical content performs strongly. Instagram itself recommends using a 4:5 aspect ratio for feed videos, and Meta's video ad specs for the Instagram feed confirm the same range. A good default is 1080×1350 px for the video frame. Other aspect ratios from wide 1.91:1 to full-portrait 9:16 are supported in feed as well, meaning you can use a 16:9 landscape video or even a full 9:16 vertical video in the feed. Just note that if you go 9:16 (1080×1920), Instagram will likely letterbox it or crop top and bottom to display it in the feed format. For best results, stick to 4:5 or 1:1 unless you have a specific reason to use wider.

Resolution: There's technically no maximum resolution limit (always upload the highest quality available). Ensure at least 1080px width. For example, a 4:5 video at 1080 width should be 1080×1350 minimum. Higher resolutions (e.g. 1440×1800) can improve quality on high-res displays. Instagram will downsize if needed.

File size: Up to 4 GB for video files. Heavier files are okay as long as under this limit, but make sure your encoding is efficient (H.264 MP4 typically) so that users don't experience slow load times on cellular connections.

Length: 1 second up to 60 minutes is supported in the feed. That's right, you could theoretically run a 30-minute or 1-hour video as an ad. But shorter videos tend to be far more effective. In most cases, treat feed ads like short-form content: 6 to 15 seconds for a quick promo, or maybe 30-60 seconds if you have a storytelling or demo video.

Format: .MP4 or .MOV files are recommended for video. Instagram also supports GIF for short looping animations, though using actual video formats is usually better for quality. Ensure your video uses a supported codec (H.264 video, AAC audio for MP4).

Captions & sound: Caption text and audio are optional but highly recommended. Many users scroll with sound off, so adding burned-in subtitles or captions for dialogue is great for engagement. Sound is on by default for those who unmute, so include music or voiceover to enhance the message (but make sure your ad still makes sense without sound).

When creating feed videos, start with a captivating hook in the first 2-3 seconds. Since users can scroll away, you want to grab attention early. Use bright visuals, quick movement, or a bold headline (text overlay) at the start. If you want a custom video thumbnail rather than an auto-pulled frame, set that at upload so the still frame matches your hook.

How to Create Multiple Ad Formats Faster with AdManage

If you're producing multiple variants (say a square video and a vertical video for different placements), manually resizing and launching each one can be incredibly time-consuming. This is where AdManage becomes valuable.

AdManage is built specifically for performance marketers who need to launch hundreds or thousands of ad variations across Meta and TikTok. The platform supports:

→ Auto-grouping of media by aspect ratio: If you upload a 1080×1080 version and a 1080×1350 version with the proper naming convention, the system will automatically group them as one creative set for feed ads.

→ Pattern recognition: Append _4x5 or _1x1 to filenames, and AdManage's pattern recognition triggers automatic grouping. Consistent ad creative naming conventions ensure the right asset shows up in the right placement without manual effort.

→ Massive time savings: Instead of spending 10 minutes per ad manually uploading and configuring in Ads Manager, you can reduce that to seconds per ad with AdManage's bulk workflows. The platform claims to save approximately 166.7 hours per 1,000 ads launched.

Plus, AdManage provides bulk launching, naming convention enforcement, UTM management, and Post ID preservation (to maintain social proof when scaling winners). More time for strategy and creative testing, less time on repetitive execution tasks.

Instagram Profile Feed Ad Dimensions

Instagram "Profile Feed" ads are a relatively new placement (rolled out around late 2024) where ads appear in the feed within someone's profile page. For instance, if you tap on a popular creator's profile and scroll through their posts, you might see sponsored posts labeled "Sponsored" amidst their grid content.

The good news: Profile Feed ads use the same specs as regular feed ads.

Images: Use 1080×1080 px or 1080×1350 px recommended, just like feed. Allowed aspect ratios are 1.91:1 (landscape) up to 4:5 (portrait). Square is a safe bet as it will neatly appear in the profile's grid mode. If you use 4:5 vertical, Instagram will center-crop it in the grid view, so ensure anything important in a tall image still falls in the central portion.

Videos: Can also use square through vertical. The aspect ratio range for profile feed video ads is 1.91:1 up to 9:16. In practice, sticking to 4:5 or 1:1 is wise. Length and size limits for profile feed videos are the same as feed: up to 60 minutes, 4GB.

Overall, treat profile feed ads the same as main feed ads for design specs. The key is to use high-resolution square or vertical creatives to maximize visibility and quality.

Instagram Story Ad Dimensions: Full-Screen Vertical Format

Instagram Stories ads appear in between users' Stories (the ephemeral 24-hour slideshows at the top of the app). These ads are full-screen vertical experiences. They can be images or videos, and they only last a few seconds unless the user interacts or opts to keep watching. Because Stories are immersive, using the right dimensions (and designing for the Stories environment) is critical. If you want the full creative walkthrough beyond specs, our guide to creating Instagram Stories ads that perform covers the build step by step.

What Size Should Instagram Story Image Ads Be?

Instagram Story image ads should be 1080×1920 pixels (9:16), full-screen vertical. For static image ads in Stories, you want an asset that fills the entire mobile screen in portrait orientation:

Dimensions: 1080 × 1920 pixels is the standard full-screen size (also expressed as 9:16 aspect ratio). This will cover the screen on most devices without borders. Instagram requires a minimum of 600 × 1067 pixels for Stories, but you should always use 1080×1920 for crisp quality.

Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (portrait). Stories are meant to be vertical. While it's technically possible to run a different aspect (Instagram might letterbox it), that results in a poor experience. Always format your creative to 9:16 for Stories.

File format & size: JPG or PNG images, up to 30 MB. In reality, your compressed JPG might be 1-2 MB at most for a 1080p image, which is fine.

Critical for Stories safe zones: There are interface elements that overlay on Stories (the uploader's name and profile photo at the top, and the swipe-up call-to-action or link button at the bottom). To ensure your content isn't obscured by these, keep any text or logos away from the extreme top and bottom. Specifically, it's recommended to leave about 250 px at the top and 340 px at the bottom free of text/logos. This corresponds to roughly 14% top and 20% bottom of the 1920px height being reserved as a buffer (the 1080×1610 safe area in the middle).

Duration: An image Story ad will show for up to 5 seconds by default (users can tap to skip sooner). So make that time count. Ensure the image is attention-grabbing and conveys your message or at least your brand in those few seconds.

Instagram Story Video Ad Specs and Best Practices

Using video in Stories can be even more engaging, as you have motion and sound to capture attention. The specs for Story video ads are similar to images, with a few differences:

Dimensions & ratio: Again, 1080 × 1920 px, 9:16 is ideal. Create vertical videos that cover the full screen. You can use a slightly less tall ratio (like 4:5 video) if you want to deliberately leave blank space top and bottom; but that's usually not advisable unless you have a design reason.

Length: Instagram Stories video ads traditionally were 15 seconds per card (with longer videos auto-split into 15s segments). Recent updates have extended this. Now a single Story ad can play for up to 60 seconds continuously, and some formats even support up to 120 seconds (2 minutes) without splitting. In practice, if you upload a 45-second video as a Story ad, it will play straight through rather than cut into 3 separate 15s stories.

Keep in mind: viewers are likely to swipe away if the content doesn't grip them quickly. It's recommended to use shorter videos or at least make the first 5-10 seconds incredibly compelling.

File size: Up to 4 GB for video files, same as feed.

Format: .MP4 or .MOV (H.264 codec) is best. Ensure your video's bitrate is reasonable for 1080p. Aim for a balance of quality and file size so it loads fast.

Audio & captions: Sound on is actually quite common for Story viewers (more so than feed), since many people watch Stories with audio. So definitely include sound (whether it's voiceover narration, speaking to the camera, or just background music to set tone). At the same time, always consider adding captions or big text for any critical spoken lines, because some viewers might still have sound off or can't listen at that moment.

Above all, design Story videos to feel native to Stories. That means fast-paced, mobile-first visuals. Consider starting with a hook in the first 2 seconds (something visually interesting or a question in text) to grab the viewer before they tap away.

Instagram Reels Ad Dimensions: What Size Works Best?

Reels ads work best at 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16 vertical), the same full-screen format as Stories. Instagram Reels are the platform's answer to TikTok (short-form, full-screen vertical videos, typically set to music or trending audio). Reels ads use the same format, appearing in between organic Reels as users scroll the Reels feed or explore the Reels tab. If your target audience spends time watching Reels, this is a prime placement, but you need to get the specs and style right.

Reels ads can be videos (the most common) or even a full-screen image. They must be vertical to fit the Reels feed.

Instagram Reels Video Ad Size Requirements

Dimensions & Aspect Ratio: 1080 × 1920 px, 9:16 (the same full-screen vertical format as Stories). Reels are vertical video content, so you should create your ad as a tall video. Unlike feed, there's no flexibility to use other aspect ratios in Reels placement.

Length: Reels ads support longer videos than organic Reels. Reels ads can be up to 15 minutes long. That said, it's generally a terrible idea to actually use a 15-minute video in Reels. Reels viewers expect snappy, quick-hitting content. Best practice is to keep Reels ads short (ideally 30 seconds or less). In fact, many of the best performing Reels ads are in the 15- to 30-second range, or even shorter if you can get the message across. Timing extends to when you publish too, so it's worth knowing the best time to post Reels for your audience.

File size: Up to 4 GB. Same video file rules as other placements.

Format: .MP4 or .MOV. Since Reels often use audio, make sure your file has audio included (AAC codec typically).

Captions & text: In Reels, the caption (the text you write to accompany the Reel) is less prominent. In fact, only about 72 characters of your caption might display by default for Reels ads, which is much shorter than feed. So, keep any critical info out of the caption or at least in the very beginning. It's often better to convey messages within the video via text overlays or narration.

Safe zones for Reels: Reels share some similarities with Stories in terms of overlay UI. While watching a Reel, the bottom of the screen usually has the audio info, caption snippet, and engagement buttons (like, comment, share). The top may have the user name. So effectively, avoid placing important visual elements in the extreme top or bottom areas of your 1080×1920 frame. Best practice is keeping content within a 1080×1440 center area for Reels. Leave 250px top, 340px bottom free.

Audio: Use audio to your advantage. Reels are inherently an audio-on experience (most users watch Reels with sound). Consider using trending music or sound clips (just make sure you have the rights or use Instagram's licensed library through the ad setup).

Style: Create Reels ads that feel native to Reels. That means vertical video that's entertaining, possibly using quick cuts, subtitles, or memetic formats. Ride current trends. Authentic, "human" content often works well (e.g. an influencer talking to the camera about your product, a before-and-after demo, a short tutorial, or a user-generated style clip).

Can You Use Images for Instagram Reels Ads?

While video is king in Reels, Instagram does allow image ads in the Reels placement. What happens is your image will display in the Reels viewer, typically for a few seconds, like a fullscreen Story.

Dimensions: 1080×1920 px (9:16), same as a Story image. Essentially, you should design it just like a vertical Story ad.

Safe zones: The same top/bottom buffer rules apply (keep content in center safe area) because the image will have the Reels UI overlaid just like a video would.

Display time: Typically ~5 seconds by default, or until the user swipes. Since Reels are usually videos, an image ad might actually stand out (could be good or bad). Make those 5 seconds count. A striking visual with a bold headline text can work.

Reels ads should be treated like high-energy, short-form Story ads with an entertainment twist. Mind your dimensions (full vertical) and keep up with platform changes.

Instagram Carousel Ad Dimensions and Specs

Carousel ads allow you to show multiple pieces of content in one ad unit that users can swipe through. On Instagram, carousels can appear in the feed or in Stories (and even in other placements like Explore). They're great for showcasing a collection of products, multiple features, or telling a sequential story. If you also run carousels on Meta's other surfaces, the Meta carousel ad specs guide lines up the Facebook side.

Key thing about carousels: All cards in one carousel share the same aspect ratio and format. So you'll need to decide on an aspect ratio upfront (square vs. vertical, etc.) and prepare all images/videos in that format.

What Size Are Instagram Carousel Ads in Feed?

Instagram feed carousel cards should be 1080×1080 px (1:1 square) or 1080×1350 px (4:5 vertical), with 2 to 10 cards per carousel. In the Instagram feed, carousel ads appear as a post with dots indicating multiple slides. Users can swipe left/right to view up to 10 cards.

Number of cards: Minimum 2, up to 10 images/videos in one carousel. You can mix images and videos within a carousel if you want.

Dimensions: 1080×1080 px (1:1 square) or 1080×1350 px (4:5 vertical) are recommended options for carousel cards. You can also do landscape carousel (e.g. 1.91:1) but those are less common and visually smaller in feed. Most advertisers choose square or vertical to maximize impact.

File sizes: Each image can be up to 30 MB, each video up to 4 GB (same limits per item as single ads).

Video specifics: If you include videos in a carousel, each video card can be up to 60 seconds long (technically feed supports longer, but shorter is better). Best practice suggests keeping carousel videos to 15 seconds or less for best performance.

Captions and text: The carousel as a whole has one caption (primary text) and, if you use it, a single headline and link for the entire carousel. So you can write a normal Instagram caption up to 2,200 characters (125 shown by default, like other feed ads). Each card can have its own call-to-action button if you set it, or a consistent one.

Design-wise, some advertisers make carousels where each card is a standalone visual, while others create a panoramic story across cards. Both approaches can work. If you want to launch cards that each map to a specific placement, AdManage's custom carousel placement handles the routing. If using multiple cards to tell a story, make sure the first card is strong enough on its own to entice the swipe.

Instagram Story Carousel Ad Dimensions

Yes, you can have carousel ads in Instagram Stories as well. These will display as a sequence of Story panels for the user. After the first card, a prompt like "Keep Watching" may appear to encourage viewing the rest.

Number of cards: Up to 10 cards, but Instagram might automatically show only the first 1-3 and then require the user to tap "Expand story" to see the rest. Keep this in mind: make your first 2-3 Story cards count, as they will get the most exposure.

Dimensions: 1080×1920 px, 9:16 for each card. All cards should be full-screen vertical. You cannot mix aspect ratios in a Story carousel; it's one consistent format.

Media types: You can use images or videos or a mix. Each card can be up to the same specs as a single Story: images 5 seconds, videos up to 15 (or 60) seconds. But it's usually better to keep each card short and sweet to maintain the flow.

File sizes: Same limits (30 MB images, 4 GB videos per card).

Both feed and Story carousels are powerful because they let users self-direct through more content. Use that swiping engagement to your advantage by delivering value with each swipe.

How Long Can Instagram Ads Be? Length Limits by Placement

Video length is one of the specs people get wrong most often, usually because the technical maximum and the practical best length are miles apart. The short version: feed and profile-feed videos run up to 60 minutes, Stories up to 60 seconds (sometimes 120), and Reels up to 15 minutes, but the sweet spot for almost every placement is 15 to 30 seconds.

Here's how the limits break down:

- Feed video: 1 second to 60 minutes technically, but 6 to 15 seconds usually performs best.

- Stories video: up to 60 seconds continuously, with some formats supporting 120 seconds. Aim for 15 seconds and hook viewers in the first 5.

- Reels video: up to 15 minutes allowed, though 30 seconds or less is the real target.

- Carousel video cards: up to 60 seconds per card, best kept under 15 seconds.

- Explore video: no separate cap, but keep it in the 15 to 30 second range since Explore browsing is quick.

- In-stream (IGTV) video: capped at 60 seconds.

The pattern is consistent across the board: platforms allow long, viewers reward short. Grab attention in the first few seconds no matter which placement you're designing for.

Instagram Explore and Other Ad Placement Dimensions

Beyond the main Feed, Stories, and Reels, Instagram offers a few additional ad placements. These are often automatically included when you select Instagram as a placement in Meta Ads Manager. It's good to be aware of their specs, though you won't always create totally separate creatives for each.

Explore Feed Ads: These ads appear in the Explore tab, either among the discovery grid or in the feed that appears after someone taps a piece of content from Explore. The dimensions for Explore ads mirror feed ads. Instagram itself suggests a square 1:1 image or video for best results in Explore, since the grid is tiled squares. Technically, Explore ads can also use 4:5 or 1.91:1, but a square will blend in most naturally with organic Explore posts. Use at least 1080×1080 resolution. For videos, same story: you could use your feed video creatives (1:1 or 4:5). Keep videos shorter (15s to 30s) for Explore since users scrolling Explore are looking at quick content. File sizes: 30MB/4GB limits apply just like feed.

Instagram In-Stream Video Ads (a.k.a. IGTV ads): These were the ads that showed within long-form video content on Instagram. If a user is watching a long video on someone's feed, an ad might play mid-roll. The placement isn't as prominent since Instagram shifted focus to Reels, but if you do use it, note that in-stream video ads must be horizontal or at most 4:5. Recommended is 1:1 or 4:5. Length is capped at 60 seconds for in-stream ads. File size up to 4GB.

Instagram Shopping (Collection Ads): If you're in e-commerce, Instagram offers Collection ads, which pair a big image or video with a few product thumbnails (from your product catalog). The specs for the cover media in collection ads can differ: for example, a Collection ad in feed might use a square or 16:9 image as the hero, and then product images below.

The main takeaway for these "other" placements is that Instagram will often auto-adjust your feed or story creatives to serve there. But if you want full control, design specifically for them. For example, using a square image ensures it will look good on Explore.

Instagram Ad Creative Best Practices: Beyond Dimensions

Knowing the raw specs is half the battle. The other half is using them effectively to create ads that look great and perform well. Here are some best-practice tips to wrap up our guide:

① Always Use High-Resolution Assets

Instagram recommends 1080p minimum, but if you have the ability to use 1440p or higher (while maintaining the correct aspect ratio), do it. In short, don't use anything less than 1080px on the short side or your ad may appear blurry or pixelated.

② Keep File Sizes Reasonable

While the platform allows up to 30MB for images or 4GB for video, your ad will deliver faster and more smoothly if the files are much smaller than the max. For example, a 1080×1920 JPG image saved at 80% quality might be 200 KB (that's totally fine). A 15-second 1080p video can often be under 5 MB if encoded well.

③ Mind the Safe Zones

We've reiterated this because it's important: avoid putting critical text or logos at the extreme top or bottom of vertical creatives. The profile name, buttons, or cropping can obscure these. Use the center 80% of the space for the key info, especially in Stories/Reels.

④ Tailor Content to Placement

A video ad that works in feed might need tweaks to succeed in Stories or Reels. For instance, a feed video might have a 16:9 format and a slower intro (that would flop in Reels). Don't just reuse creatives blindly across placements without considering format differences. It's worth producing multiple versions optimized for each placement.

How AdManage Automates Multi-Placement Creative Workflows

When you're managing campaigns across multiple placements with different dimension requirements, the manual work can become overwhelming. This is exactly what AdManage was built to solve.

With AdManage, you can upload your variants (square, vertical, etc.) and the platform will automatically group and deploy them by placement. Pattern recognition in filenames triggers automatic grouping, ensuring the right creative shows in the right place.

For example, you can:

• Upload a product_1080x1080_feed.mp4 and product_1080x1920_story.mp4

• AdManage recognizes the patterns and routes each to the correct placement

• Launch hundreds of variations in minutes instead of hours

• Enforce consistent naming conventions and UTM parameters across all ads

• Preserve Post IDs to maintain social proof when scaling winners

The platform also offers a free Ad Preview Tool where you can see how your image or video will look on Facebook Feed, Instagram Feed, Instagram Story, etc. by simulating the placements. This is invaluable for catching dimension errors before you spend money on ads that look off.

AdManage supports bulk launching to Meta and TikTok, creative grouping by aspect ratio, translation for multi-market campaigns, and 12 dashboards for creative performance tracking. If you're launching hundreds of ad variations monthly, AdManage can compress what used to take 10 minutes per ad down to seconds.

Learn more about AdManage or explore the documentation to see how it can streamline your ad operations.

Take Advantage of Preview Tools: Before you finalize your ads, preview them in situ. Meta's Ads Manager has preview, but you can also use the Instagram ad preview tool to check placements side by side. This is a great way to double-check that nothing important is cut off and that the ad is visually appealing.

Understand Text Limits: While not a "dimension," the text character limits can affect your ad's presentation. We noted: ~125 characters visible of caption in feed, ~2 lines (around 72 characters) in Reels, one line in Stories (if any). So craft your copy accordingly. Put the hook or call-to-action in the first sentence.

Consistency and Branding: When creating multiple sizes, maintain a consistent visual identity. Your square and vertical and story versions of an ad should all look related (same fonts, colors, message), just adapted. This reinforces brand recall as people see your ads in different places.

Test and Iterate: Use Instagram's flexibility to test different aspect ratios. Perhaps your audience responds better to 4:5 vertical images than squares (you won't know until you try both). Maybe a video outperforms an image for one campaign but not another. A steady creative testing framework helps you learn faster. Always be testing.

Stay Updated: Instagram and Facebook (Meta) may update their specs or introduce new formats. For example, the expansion from 15s to 60s Story ads was a significant change. The preference for 4:5 in feed is a trend that emerged over time. By reading up-to-date resources (like this 2026 guide!), you're on top of it.

Use Tools for Efficiency: If you manage a lot of ads, resizing and formatting creatives can be tedious. Consider tools like Canva, Photoshop templates, or AdManage's creative features to automate some of this. AdManage, for instance, can take one set of assets and launch across placements, preserving your aspect ratio groupings and even applying dynamic naming or URL parameters in bulk.

Finally, always remember the ad content itself matters as much as the dimensions. An accurately-sized ad that's boring won't perform; a well-crafted message that's slightly off-dimension might get cropped and also underperform. The goal is to marry great content with the proper format. When you do both, you'll see the best results on Instagram's highly visual platform.

Conclusion: Getting Instagram Ad Dimensions Right in 2026

Instagram advertising is a visual game, and the proper ad dimensions are your foundation for success. Instagram's favored formats have shifted towards taller, mobile-native sizes (from 4:5 feed photos to full-screen vertical Stories and Reels). By using the guidelines in this article, you can ensure every image and video you upload is pixel-perfect and optimized for its placement.

We covered specs for all major Instagram ad types and the latest updates, but here's a quick recap:

• Use 1080px or higher resolution for everything (no exceptions). Blurry ads are a waste of budget.

• Match the aspect ratio to the placement: 1:1 or 4:5 for feed, 9:16 for Stories/Reels, etc. (and use multiple versions if you're running across placements).

• Keep ads visually clean and uncluttered, with key content in safe zones so nothing important gets cut off.

• Mind length limits (60s+ videos only in feed/IGTV, 15s quick hits for Stories/Reels even though longer is allowed). Grab attention early in every video.

• Stay current (Instagram's features will continue to evolve, so what's optimal today might change).

By treating this guide as your blueprint, you're equipped to create Instagram ads that not only meet the technical requirements but also provide a seamless, engaging experience for users. In digital advertising, those details can make the difference between a user scrolling past or stopping to engage.

Don't hesitate to use tools and resources to your advantage. Whether it's checking Meta's official recommendations or using AdManage's platform to automate and preview your multi-format campaigns, a little extra effort in preparation ensures that when your ads go live, they shine.

Now, it's your turn. Apply these Instagram ad dimensions and best practices to your next campaign, and watch your creative convert like never before.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the recommended Instagram ad dimensions for feed posts in 2026?

For Instagram feed posts, use 1080×1080 px (1:1 square) or 1080×1350 px (4:5 vertical) for optimal results. The 4:5 vertical format has become increasingly preferred because it occupies more screen space on mobile devices. You can also use landscape images up to 1.91:1 ratio, but vertical formats generally perform better.

What's the ideal video length for Instagram Stories ads?

Instagram Stories video ads can now run up to 60 seconds, and some formats support up to 120 seconds without splitting. But shorter is usually better. Aim for 15-30 seconds maximum, and make sure your hook appears in the first 2-3 seconds to grab attention before viewers swipe away.

Do I need different creative sizes for different Instagram placements?

Yes, ideally you should create multiple versions optimized for each placement. Feed ads work best at 1:1 or 4:5, while Stories and Reels require 9:16 vertical format. Using the wrong dimensions can result in awkward cropping or black bars. Tools like AdManage can help you automatically route different creative sizes to the appropriate placements, saving you time on manual configuration.

What are safe zones for Instagram Stories and Reels ads?

For Stories and Reels, keep your important content (text, logos, key visuals) within the center area of your 1080×1920 frame. Specifically, leave approximately 250px at the top and 340px at the bottom free to avoid having content covered by profile info, buttons, and UI elements. This creates a safe zone of approximately 1080×1610 in the center.

How long can Instagram Reels ads be?

Instagram Reels ads can technically be up to 15 minutes long, but this is excessive for the format. Best practice is to keep Reels ads under 30 seconds, ideally 15-20 seconds. Reels viewers expect quick, entertaining content, and longer videos will see high drop-off rates.

What is the character limit for Instagram ads?

Instagram ad captions can run up to 2,200 characters, but only about the first 125 characters show in the feed before truncation. Reels display roughly 72 characters of caption by default, and Stories show very little caption text at all. The optional headline field is limited to about 40 characters. Put your hook and call-to-action in the first sentence so nothing important gets cut off.

What aspect ratio do Instagram ads use?

It depends on the placement. Feed and profile-feed ads support 1.91:1 (landscape) up to 4:5 (vertical), with 4:5 recommended. Stories and Reels use full-screen 9:16 vertical. Explore favors 1:1 square. When in doubt, 4:5 for feed and 9:16 for Stories/Reels covers the vast majority of placements.

What file formats does Instagram accept for ads?

For images, Instagram accepts JPG and PNG formats with a maximum file size of 30 MB. For videos, use MP4 or MOV formats with H.264 codec and AAC audio, with a maximum file size of 4 GB. Always ensure your resolution meets the minimum 1080px width requirement for crisp, professional-looking ads.

Can I use the same creative for Instagram feed and Stories?

While technically possible, it's not recommended. Feed ads work best at 1:1 or 4:5 aspect ratios, while Stories require 9:16 vertical format. Using a feed creative in Stories will result in letterboxing (black bars) or important content being cut off. Create separate versions optimized for each placement for best performance.

How many cards can I include in an Instagram carousel ad?

Instagram carousel ads support 2 to 10 cards per carousel, whether images or videos. All cards must use the same aspect ratio (either all square, all vertical, etc.). The first card is most important since not all viewers will swipe through the entire carousel.

What's the best aspect ratio for Instagram Explore ads?

For Instagram Explore ads, 1:1 square format works best because it matches the grid layout of the Explore feed. While you can technically use other ratios like 4:5 or 1.91:1, square images blend most naturally with organic Explore content. Always use at least 1080×1080 resolution for crisp quality.

How can I preview my Instagram ads before launching?

Before launching, use Meta's Ads Manager preview feature to see how your ad will appear across different placements. You can also use AdManage's Instagram ad preview tool, which lets you simulate how your creative will look on Instagram Feed, Stories, and other placements. This helps you catch dimension errors, cropping issues, or text placement problems before spending money on ads that look off.

Do I need to add captions to Instagram video ads?

While not mandatory, adding captions or burned-in subtitles to video ads is strongly recommended. Many users scroll with sound off, especially in feed placements. Captions ensure your message gets across regardless of audio settings and can significantly improve engagement and conversion rates. For Stories and Reels where audio is more common, captions still help with accessibility and comprehension.

What's the difference between Instagram Profile Feed ads and regular Feed ads?

Instagram Profile Feed ads appear within a user's profile grid when someone is browsing their posts, while regular Feed ads appear in the main scrolling feed. But the specs are identical for both placements. Use 1080×1080 px or 1080×1350 px with aspect ratios from 1.91:1 to 4:5. The main difference is context, not technical requirements.