Instagram No Longer Square Photo and Video Guide
Learn how Instagram's move beyond square images affects your content strategy, with aspect ratio guidelines, pros and cons, and expert tips.
Instagram No Longer Square: Complete Photo & Video Guide
Instagram has come a long way since its 2010 debut, evolving from a platform that only allowed perfectly square images into a versatile social media hub for all kinds of visual content. If you’ve been hearing the phrase "Instagram no longer square", you might be wondering what that means for your social media strategy, content creation, and audience engagement.
This comprehensive guide will cover the history behind the switch from square-only to multiple orientations, current photo and video format guidelines, the pros and cons of different aspect ratios, and expert tips for making the most of non-square Instagram photos and videos.
---
A Brief History of Instagram’s Square-Only Format
When Instagram launched in October 2010, it distinguished itself by adopting a square-only format for both photos and, later, videos. This constraint was inspired by Polaroid prints and early mobile photo-sharing culture, designed to make all images uniform in the feed.
Benefits at the time included:
- Consistent presentation in the grid and feed
- Simple editing and viewing experience
- Fewer display issues across early smartphone screens
However, as smartphone cameras and user demands evolved, the limitation began to feel restrictive.
---
Timeline of Instagram’s Format Update
Instagram broke away from the square-only paradigm on August 27, 2015. The update introduced portrait (vertical) and landscape (horizontal) orientations, allowing more creative freedom.
Why Instagram made the change:
- Compete with platforms like Snapchat and YouTube that supported multiple aspect ratios
- Give photographers and videographers more flexibility
- Reduce the need for third-party apps to crop or adjust content
---
Current Supported Aspect Ratios for Photos and Videos
Instagram now supports a range of aspect ratios, but with defined limits.
| Content Type | Minimum Aspect Ratio | Maximum Aspect Ratio | Recommended Pixel Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 1.91:1 (landscape) | 4:5 (portrait) | 1080px on shortest side |
| Video (Feed) | 1.91:1 | 4:5 | 1080px × variable |
| Reels | 9:16 | 9:16 | 1080px × 1920px |
Note: Square format is 1:1 and still works perfectly well.
---
Pros and Cons of Each Orientation
Square (1:1)
- ✅ Consistency in profile grid
- ✅ Familiar to longtime Instagram users
- ❌ Less screen space in feed
Portrait (4:5)
- ✅ Occupies more vertical scroll area (better engagement)
- ✅ Great for portraits and product shots
- ❌ Crops awkwardly in profile grid preview
Landscape (1.91:1)
- ✅ Excellent for wide shots, landscapes, group photos
- ✅ More cinematic storytelling
- ❌ Less vertical space; may be overlooked in scrolling feeds
---
Best Practices for Shooting and Editing Non-Square Content
- Plan framing during shooting — Keep essential subjects within a safe zone to avoid cropping.
- Use high resolution — Aim for at least 1080 pixels on the shortest side.
- Check previews before posting — Instagram allows you to adjust zoom and crop.
- Edit with professional tools — Apps like Lightroom or VSCO can handle resizing without quality loss.
- Test your content in drafts — See how it will appear in both the feed and the profile grid.
---
How Non-Square Posts Appear Across Instagram Surfaces
- Feed: Portrait images appear larger vertically, increasing visibility; landscape images are narrower.
- Profile Grid: All images appear as square thumbnails, regardless of orientation, which can crop key elements.
- Explore Tab: Content generally maintains uploaded orientation but may be cropped to fit grid layouts.
---
Impact on Engagement Rates
Many strategists report higher engagement with portrait (vertical) posts, as they take up more space on mobile screens.
That said:
- Landscape visuals work well for travel, film, and wide-scene storytelling.
- Square posts tend to support brand cohesion and speed up publishing workflows.
Pro Tip: Regularly test and compare orientations using Instagram Insights.
---
Recommended Tools and Apps for Resizing and Cropping
- Adobe Photoshop Express
- Canva
- InShot
- Lightroom Mobile
- Snapseed
These tools offer precise control over aspect ratios and composition, helping avoid distortion or data loss.
---
Maintaining a Cohesive Feed with Mixed Aspect Ratios
A well-planned feed can feature multiple orientations without looking disjointed:
- Keep color grading consistent.
- Use grid-planning tools like Preview or Planoly.
- Alternate between portrait, square, and landscape for balance.
---
Strategies for Repurposing Content Across Platforms
Different platforms have different aspect ratio sweet spots:
- Instagram Reels / TikTok / YouTube Shorts: Vertical 9:16
- YouTube Standard: Landscape 16:9
- Facebook Feed: Square or portrait
- Pinterest: Vertical 2:3+
Tips for repurposing:
- Capture in the highest resolution available.
- Center key elements for flexible cropping.
- Save untouched master files before making adjustments.
---
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Non-Square Content
- Text too close to edges — Crops out in the grid.
- Ignoring safe zones — Leads to awkward cuts to faces or objects.
- Low-resolution uploads — Pixelation occurs after Instagram compression.
- Overlooking profile grid preview — Poorly framed thumbnails can hurt your brand aesthetic.
---
Final Tips and Future Trends
Instagram’s move beyond the square ratio is only the beginning. In the future, expect:
- Expanded support for ultra-wide and ultra-tall images
- AI-assisted smart cropping for better composition
- More video-friendly features built into the feed
Key takeaways:
- Portrait ratios grab the most attention in mobile feeds.
- The square format still delivers strong visual consistency.
- Landscape is best for cinematic or storytelling purposes.
- Always preview content before publishing to protect important elements.
By strategically using multiple aspect ratios, you can maximize reach, enhance engagement, and keep your Instagram presence modern and impactful.
---
Summary: Instagram is no longer confined to square photos, which opens up fresh creative opportunities across portrait and landscape orientations. Knowing the guidelines, best practices, and engagement impacts of each aspect ratio will help you tailor content to your audience. Start experimenting with different formats today to see what drives the most interaction for your brand.
