Instagram keeps changing its preferred sizes, and uploading the wrong dimensions means awkward cropping. Resizing to the right size first puts you in control of the frame.
The recommended size
Instagram Stories and Reels use a tall 9:16 frame at 1080 by 1920 pixels.
How to resize for Instagram
- Open the Instagram Story Resizer.
- Add your image.
- It is set to the correct story dimensions, so you just position the content.
- Download and upload to Instagram.
Processing happens in your browser, so your images stay private.
Tips that help
- Keep text and faces in the middle third so interface buttons do not cover them.
- A full 1080 by 1920 image fills the screen with no black bars.
- The same size works for Reels covers and other 9:16 vertical video platforms.
Finish before you post
Compress the final image with the Image Compressor so it uploads fast, and crop with Crop to Aspect Ratio if you need a different shape.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a story be on Instagram?
Instagram Stories and Reels use a tall 9:16 frame at 1080 by 1920 pixels.
Will resizing distort my Instagram image?
Not if you keep the aspect ratio locked. The tool scales the image to fit the target shape cleanly.
Is my image uploaded to resize it?
No. Resizing runs in your browser, so your image stays on your device.