What are Instagram Reel Sizes in 2024?

Feb 14, 2024 8:49:00 AM | Instagram What are Instagram Reel Sizes in 2024?

Size matters, especially when we’re talking about your Instagram Reels. Get to know the ideal Instagram reel sizes, dimensions, and more in this article.

Instagram is still one of the biggest social media platforms in 2024, with billions of users. That said, it’s a no-brainer for any business or content creator to use it to boost the growth of their audience.

Instagram Reels are all the rage on this app right now, and with the right content, you can easily get thousands or millions of views. Without a doubt, it’s the best way to grow your Instagram account and bring your content or brand to the limelight.

If you already have content lined up, good for you! All you need is to ensure that your Instagram Reel will look amazing, especially at first glance.

How do you do that?

You need to care about the size of your reel. We’re talking about reel dimensions, aspect ratio for Instagram reels, reel cover, and thumbnail size. 

Sounds complex? They could be, but worry not; we’re here to help! 

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All You Need to Know About Instagram Reel Sizes in 2024

Editing photos and clips for an Instagram Reel can be an intensive process. It can consume a lot of time, so you need to make sure all your efforts count! Instagram reel sizes concern the overall look of what you’ll post.

You wouldn’t want your reel to look too stretched out or zoomed in. The same goes for having a reel that looks too wide and small on a portrait screen. 

Without thinking about your Instagram reel size ratio, your output will look shoddy, and that’s the type of short-form videos people mindlessly swipe away from their screens.

Here’s everything you need to know about Instagram Reel sizes. 

Instagram Reels Dimensions and Aspect Ratio

When browsing reels on the Instagram Reel feed, video dimensions are 1080 pixels (width) x 1920 pixels (height). The Instagram Reel aspect ratio is 9:16.

Instagram Reels Dimensions

However, if you’re watching reels without opening them or through your home feed, your reel will look compressed as it will have a 4:5 aspect ratio and 1080 x 1350 dimensions for Instagram reels. 

Instagram Reels Dimensions

A quick and easy way to ensure that you’re using the right IG reels dimensions and aspect ratio is to shoot your content using the Instagram app. If you do this, how you shoot the photos and clips is exactly how they’ll look once published.

Now, let’s be honest, Instagram editing tools are far from perfect. Sometimes, the editing tools on the Instagram app are buggy and laggy. 

In addition, if you already have content that you need to resize, scale, or crop, photo and video editing apps like Lift: Story Maker is better to use for precision. 

When using Lift, you can select the content you’ll edit. This way, your photos or videos will be automatically resized into the ideal Instagram Reels aspect ratio and Instagram Reel dimensions. 

To get the correct Instagram Reel dimensions, you may use Instagram Reel templates on the Lift: Story Maker app

Lift: Story Maker app

You can also start with a blank template. Just tap Create from scratch and then select Reel.

Lift: Story Maker app

Instagram Reel Cover Size

You shouldn’t settle when it comes to your Instagram reel’s cover photo. Anyone can easily miss this because Instagram automatically chooses a cover photo from the first frame of your reel.

It might seem like this doesn’t matter, but the cover greatly impacts how enticing your reel could be. Don’t worry, it only takes a hot minute to edit your reel photo.

When it comes to the cover size, you don’t really have to worry much about it. That’s because it will be automatically resized or adjusted even when choosing your own on the Instagram app.  

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You can change the cover just before you hit the Share icon when posting your reel:

Instagram Reel Cover Size

Instagram Reel Thumbnail Size

You can also use a thumbnail for your Instagram Reel. It’s a good idea if you want to style your Reel Feed and show some creativity.

When creating a thumbnail, make sure that the thumbnail size has the signature 9:16 Instagram ratio and 1080 x 1920 dimensions. 

A thumbnail can consist of a photo or screenshot from your reel with an added text, sticker, or filter. Some would also use thumbnails only with text. 

This is a matter of preference, but whatever you do, make your reel thumbnail eye-catching and attention-grabbing. It should be an image that will get viewers curious enough to watch your Instagram reel.

We know very well how tempting it could be to add click-baity thumbnails, but it’s always better to keep things straightforward. The last thing you want is to have negative comments on your Instagram reel about being misled.

Editing apps like Lift: Story Maker are also handy when it comes to creating or editing a thumbnail for your reel. 

You can select from tons of fun Instagram Reel templates and find the one that fits the vibe of your reel. If you’re feeling extra, you can also use the Create from scratch feature and get creative with the editing tools like Texts and Stickers.

Wrap Up

Instagram has always been known as a photo-sharing platform, but it’s already starting to shift its focus to video sharing. It’s surely the right move since short-form videos are all the rage right now. Just take a look at how massive TikTok has become.

So, just like Instagram, it’s time to pick up the pace and start building an Instagram Reel feed worth binging. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re running an individual or business account. If you want to grow your following and boost your account engagements, create the most stunning reels, and don’t forget about using the proper IG reel sizes.

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Princess Angolluan

Written By: Princess Angolluan

For the last 5 years, Princess has been writing articles on tech, social media, digital marketing, & more. You can also find her on MakeTechEasier and Qtoptens.