3 min read · Updated April 2026
Resize image for Instagram story
Instagram stories display at 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16). Use the correct dimensions to fill the full screen without letterboxing.
Instagram story image dimensions
The standard Instagram story size is 1080 x 1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. This matches the full screen of most modern smartphones. Stories and Reels share the same dimensions, so the same preset works for both formats.
Instagram supports story images as small as 600 x 1067 pixels, but uploading at the full 1080 x 1920 resolution keeps the image sharp on high-DPI displays. When Instagram receives a smaller image, it scales it up, which introduces blur on retina screens.
Safe zones for stories
Instagram overlays UI elements (the username at the top, the reply bar at the bottom) over the story image. Keep important content away from the top 250px and the bottom 250px of the 1920px canvas. This leaves a 1420px safe zone in the center for text, faces, and key visual elements.
Instagram story file requirements
- Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16 ratio)
- Minimum size: 600 x 1067 px
- Max file size: 30 MB for images
- Formats: JPEG, PNG, WEBP
Difference between story and Reel thumbnails
Stories and Reels both use the 9:16 format, but Reel cover thumbnails shown in the profile grid are cropped to 1:1 (square) at the center of the 9:16 frame. If you want a Reel to look good on your profile grid, place the key visual content in the center 1080 x 1080 section of the 1080 x 1920 canvas.
How to resize to 1080x1920 for free
Filagram resizes images in your browser with no upload. Select the Instagram Story preset (1080 x 1920), drop your image, and download the result. The resize uses the browser Canvas API and takes under a second for most images.
Resize image for Instagram story
Resize to 1080x1920 for full-screen stories and Reels. Browser-based, no upload required.
Try it freeFrequently asked questions
What are the correct Instagram story dimensions in 2026?
Instagram stories should be 1080 x 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio. This fills the full screen on most smartphones. Instagram also supports images as small as 600 x 1067, but 1080 x 1920 gives the sharpest result and avoids upscaling artifacts.
What happens if my image is not 9:16 for an Instagram story?
Instagram scales the image to fit within the 9:16 frame and fills the remaining space with a blurred, stretched version of the same image. The result looks polished on small images, but for professional content you want to fill the full 1080 x 1920 frame intentionally.
Can I use a horizontal photo as an Instagram story?
Yes, but it will appear small in the center of the screen with blurred bars filling the sides. To avoid this, resize your horizontal photo to 1080 x 1920 and place it on a solid or gradient background before uploading. Filagram resizes the image without distorting it.