Story Size for Instagram

The Instagram story size is 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16). Here is the safe zone Meta gives for story ads, the minimum size, file types, and how stories compare with Reels and posts.

The short answer

An Instagram story is 9:16. Make it 1080 × 1920 pixels: that is the size Meta recommends for story ads, and Instagram uploads photos at up to 1080 pixels wide. Meta's ads guide also accepts 1440 × 2560, and the smallest size it takes is 600 × 1067.

Keep text, faces and logos away from the edges. For story ads, Meta suggests leaving about 14% of the top, 35% of the bottom and 6% on each side free: on a 1080 × 1920 story that is 269 px at the top, 672 px at the bottom and 65 px on each side.

Generate a vertical visual at 9:16 with the AI image generator, then place your text inside the safe zone.

Exact specifications

Spec	Size and source
Story size	1080 × 1920 px, 9:16 (Meta recommends it for story ads)
High resolution	1440 × 2560 px, 9:16 (Meta ads guide)
Minimum	600 × 1067 px (Meta)
File	JPG or PNG, up to 30 MB (Meta, story ads)
Photo on screen	5 seconds by default (Meta, story ads)
Reel	1.91:1 to 9:16, at least 720 px (Instagram)
Reel cover	420 × 654 px, 1:1.55 (Instagram)
Feed photo	Up to 1080 px wide, 1.91:1 to 3:4 (Instagram)

The safe zone

Meta's guidance for story ads, drawn on a 1080 × 1920 story. Your own stories don't have the ad button at the bottom, but the same margins are the safe choice.

Source: Meta Ads Guide, Instagram Stories (October 2026).

Taller phones crop the edges

On phones taller than 9:16, Instagram may zoom the story to fill the screen, which crops the edges, or show it at 9:16 with black bars, according to Meta. That is why the side margins matter too.

Story, Reel or post?

Stories and Reels are both vertical 9:16, so one 1080 × 1920 design works for both. The Reel cover is 420 × 654 pixels.

Feed photos are shorter: Instagram keeps them at up to 1080 pixels wide between 1.91:1 and 3:4, and crops taller ones.

TikTok and YouTube Shorts are vertical 9:16 too, but each app puts its buttons in different places.

Make vertical visuals

Generate 9:16 images for your stories.

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Frequently asked questions

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What size is an Instagram story?

1080 × 1920 pixels, a 9:16 ratio. Meta's ads guide also accepts 1440 × 2560 for extra detail, and the smallest size it takes is 600 × 1067.

What is the safe zone on an Instagram story?

The area where text and logos are not covered by the profile picture at the top or the buttons at the bottom. For story ads, Meta suggests leaving about 14% of the top, 35% of the bottom and 6% on each side free: 269, 672 and 65 pixels on a 1080 × 1920 story.

Why does my story look cropped?

On phones taller than 9:16, Instagram may zoom the story to fill the screen, which cuts the edges, or show it at 9:16 with black bars. Keep anything important inside the safe zone.

What size is a Reel cover?

420 × 654 pixels (1:1.55), according to Instagram. You can't change the cover after the reel is uploaded.

What file types can I use?

JPG or PNG for photos. For story ads, Meta accepts photos up to 30 MB, shown for 5 seconds by default.

Is a story the same size as a Reel?

Both are vertical 9:16, so a 1080 × 1920 design works for both. Instagram accepts reels from 1.91:1 to 9:16, at least 720 pixels.

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