Instagram Story Size & Dimensions Guide (2026)

The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Story Size and Dimensions in 2026

When you are sharing moments on Instagram Stories, the last thing you want is for your carefully designed graphic, photo, or video to get awkwardly cropped, stretched, or have crucial text cut off at the top and bottom.

To make your content look polished and professional, nailing the exact dimensions is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know about Instagram Story sizes, safe zones, and tips to make your posts stand out.

The Standard Instagram Story Size

The golden rule for Instagram Stories is a 9:16 aspect ratio.

• Recommended Resolution: 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels high.
• Minimum Resolution: 600 pixels wide by 1067 pixels high.
• File Formats: JPG or PNG for photos; MP4, MOV, or GIF for videos.
• Maximum File Size: Up to 4GB for videos.

If you upload an image or video that does not match this vertical format, Instagram will automatically try to fill the space by zooming in or adding colored borders (background fills), which can ruin the composition of your visual.

Understanding the “Safe Zones”

Even when you use the exact 1080 × 1920 pixel dimensions, your Story won’t display in a vacuum. Instagram overlays important interface elements—like your profile picture and username at the top, and the reply box at the bottom—on every active Story.