Instagram Ads Size and Dimension Guide for All Placements
Learn the recommended Instagram ad sizes and dimensions for Feed, Stories, Reels, Carousel, Explore, and Shopping placements to boost engagement.
| Placement | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max Duration | File Formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed Photo | 1080 x 1080 / 1200 x 675 / 1080 x 1350 | 1:1 / 1.91:1 / 4:5 | - | JPG, PNG |
| Feed Video | 1080 x 1080 / 1200 x 675 / 1080 x 1350 | 1:1 / 1.91:1 / 4:5 | 60s | MP4, MOV |
| Carousel Image | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | - | JPG, PNG |
| Carousel Video | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | 60s | MP4, MOV |
| Stories | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 15s | JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV |
| Reels | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 90s | MP4, MOV |
| Explore | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 / 4:5 / 1.91:1 | 60s | JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV |
| Shopping | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | - | JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV |
## Instagram Ads Size and Dimension Guide for All Placements
Advertising on Instagram is more than just posting beautiful visuals—it's about matching the right creative size and format to each placement for maximum performance. **Instagram ads size** specifications are crucial for ensuring your campaigns look professional, load fast, and deliver optimal engagement.
In this guide, we break down all the recommended dimensions for every type of Instagram ad placement—whether it’s photo ads, videos, carousels, Stories, Reels, Explore, or Shopping—so you can produce stunning creatives that fit perfectly and convert effectively.
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## Why Ad Size Matters for Instagram Performance
Small differences in aspect ratio or resolution can have a big impact. Poorly sized creatives can result in:
- Cropped graphics that hide key elements.
- Pixelated visuals reducing credibility.
- Inefficient use of screen real estate.
- Lower click-through rates due to awkward layouts.
When you adhere to the recommended ad sizes, you ensure:
- **Visual clarity** across devices.
- **Better algorithmic treatment**, as the platform favors well-optimized content.
- **Improved user experience**, leading to higher engagement.
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## Overview of Instagram Ad Placements
Instagram offers multiple placements in its ad network:
- **Feed Ads**: Appear between posts in the scrolling home feed.
- **Stories Ads**: Full-screen vertical ads between user stories.
- **Reels Ads**: Integrated into Reels playback.
- **Explore Ads**: Shown in the Explore feed grid or tapped posts.
- **Shop Ads**: Embedded in the Instagram Shopping interface.
Each placement has unique size and format requirements. Let’s break them down one by one.
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## Feed Photo Ads
Feed photo ads capture attention in the familiar scroll. Recommended sizes:
- **Optimal dimensions**: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square).
- **Aspect ratio**: 1:1 (square), 1.91:1 (landscape), or 4:5 (portrait).
- **File format**: JPG or PNG.
- **File size**: Under 30 MB.
Portrait images (4:5) often perform better as they take up more mobile screen space without cropping.
---
## Feed Video Ads
Video ads in the feed should be well-composed and adhere to:
- **Dimensions**: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square) or 1200 x 675 (landscape).
- **Aspect ratio**: 1:1, 1.91:1, or 4:5.
- **Duration**: 1 second to 60 seconds.
- **Resolution**: Minimum 720p.
- **Formats**: MP4 or MOV.
- **File size**: Up to 4 GB.
Adding captions ensures engagement even when the sound is muted.
---
## Carousel Ads
Carousel ads allow multiple cards in a swipeable format.
**Image Carousel Specs**:
- **Dimensions**: 1080 x 1080 pixels.
- **Aspect ratio**: 1:1.
- **File types**: JPG or PNG.
- **Max cards**: 10.
**Video Carousel Specs**:
- **Same dimensions/aspect** as images.
- **Duration**: Max 60 seconds per card.
- **File size**: Up to 4 GB.
A mix of images and videos in one carousel can boost interaction.
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## Stories Ads
Stories ads are full-screen vertical creatives placed between organic user stories.
Recommended specs:
- **Dimensions**: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
- **Aspect ratio**: 9:16.
- **File format**: JPG, PNG (images) or MP4, MOV (videos).
- **Safe zones**: Keep text and logos away from the top/bottom 250 pixels to avoid UI overlap.
- **Duration**: Videos up to 15 seconds.
### Design Tips for Stories Ads
- Use high contrast to grab attention quickly.
- Incorporate subtle motion for engagement.
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## Reels Ads
Reels ads are short-form videos aligned with the popular Reels format.
Specs:
- **Resolution**: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
- **Aspect ratio**: 9:16.
- **Duration**: 15 to 30 seconds recommended; max 90 seconds.
- **Format**: MP4 or MOV.
- **File size**: Up to 4 GB.
Reels ads should feel organic—avoid overly polished commercial style, focus on authentic storytelling.
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## Explore Ads
Explore ads appear when users browse the Explore grid or tap into specific posts.
**Image Specs**:
- **Dimensions**: 1080 x 1080 pixels preferred.
- **Aspect ratio**: Matches feed ratios (1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1).
**Video Specs**:
- Same ratios and dimensions as feed videos.
- **Duration**: Up to 60 seconds.
Preview behavior: In the grid view, images are cropped square; clicking reveals full aspect.
---
## Shopping Ads
Shopping ads integrate products within posts, Stories, or Reels, accompanied by clickable tags.
**Product Image Recommendations**:
- **Dimensions**: Minimum 1080 x 1080 pixels.
- **Aspect ratio**: 1:1.
**Product Video Recommendations**:
- Aspect and duration follow feed or Stories guidelines depending on placement.
High-quality images with consistent background improve trust and purchase probability.
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## Instagram Ads Size Reference Table
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## Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Instagram Ad Creatives
1. **Ignoring Safe Zones**: Critical text or logos may get cut off.
2. **Using Low-Resolution Files**: Blurry visuals harm brand perception.
3. **Overstuffed Text Overlays**: Too much text violates Facebook/Instagram ad rules.
4. **Wrong Aspect Ratio**: Leads to cropping and poor engagement.
5. **Unoptimized File Size**: Slower load times lead to drop-offs.
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## Optimization Tips
- **Text Overlay**: Keep under 20% of image for better reach.
- **Safe Zones**: Especially important for vertical formats.
- **Thumb-Stopping Visuals**: Use movement, bold colors, or surprising elements.
- **Consistent Branding**: Use brand colors, fonts, and tone across placements.
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## Free Tools and Templates for Resizing and Formatting Ads
Creating creatives to exact specs is easier with:
- **Canva**: Prebuilt Instagram ad templates with correct sizes.
- **Adobe Express**: Quick resizing and format exports.
- **Figma**: Collaborative design tool with device-specific frames.
- **Kapwing**: Online editor for cropping/resizing videos.
These tools save time and ensure compliance with Instagram’s specs.
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## How to Test and Measure Performance by Ad Size and Placement
To optimize, run A/B tests where the only variable is the ad size or aspect ratio. Steps:
1. **Duplicate campaign** with identical targeting and budget.
2. **Change creative size** to match different suggested formats.
3. **Measure CTR, CPC, and view-through rates**.
4. Use Instagram Insights or Facebook Ads Manager for breakdown by placement.
5. Iterate on high-performing sizes.
Testing will reveal if, for your niche, portrait images outperform square, or if short-form vertical video drives more conversions.
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## Summary: Perfect Instagram Ads Start With the Right Size
By following the exact **Instagram ads size** requirements for each placement, you can ensure your creatives stand out, deliver smooth viewing experiences, and drive better business results. Bookmark this guide as your go-to reference whenever you plan a campaign.
Ready to improve ad performance? Start resizing your creatives to fit Instagram’s best practices today.
