Instagram Reel Dimensions and Size Guide (2026): Safe Zones, Covers, Specs

Getting your Instagram Reel dimensions wrong is one of the fastest ways to sabotage great content. Text gets cut off by the UI overlay. Your subject's face hides behind the like button. Your cover photo looks blurry at the wrong resolution. These mistakes happen constantly because Instagram's specifications are scattered across help articles and outdated guides.

This is the definitive guide to Instagram Reel dimensions in 2026 -- exact pixel specs, safe zones, cover photo requirements, text placement, export settings, format comparisons, and a cross-platform table for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Pinterest.

Instagram Reel Dimensions: The Exact Specifications

Resolution and Aspect Ratio

• Recommended resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Minimum resolution: 720 x 1280 pixels
• Maximum resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (Instagram does not benefit from higher resolutions -- 4K uploads are downscaled)

The 1080 x 1920 resolution is non-negotiable for professional content. While Instagram will accept lower resolutions down to 720p, anything below 1080p looks visibly softer on modern smartphone screens, especially on Pro and Plus-sized devices. Always export at exactly 1080 x 1920.

File Format and Codec

• Recommended format: MP4 (H.264 codec)
• Also accepted: MOV
• Audio codec: AAC
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Recommended file size: Under 500 MB for faster upload and processing
• Color space: sRGB (Rec. 709). Instagram does not support HDR or Rec. 2020 -- uploading HDR content results in washed-out colors after conversion.

Frame Rate

• Recommended: 30 fps
• Also supported: 24 fps, 25 fps, 60 fps
• Best practice: Export at 30 fps for the smoothest playback on Instagram. 24 fps gives a slightly more cinematic look but can appear choppy during quick camera movements. 60 fps is supported but offers no visual benefit -- Instagram's player caps playback at 30 fps, so 60 fps files are larger for no gain.

Duration

• Maximum Reel length: 3 minutes (180 seconds) as of 2026
• Recommended for engagement: 15-30 seconds for ad content, 30-90 seconds for organic content
• Minimum length: 3 seconds

Instagram's algorithm favors Reels that maintain high watch-through rates. A 15-second Reel with an 80% average watch time outperforms a 90-second Reel with a 25% average watch time. For advertising and brand content, shorter is almost always better unless you have a genuinely compelling narrative that justifies the length.

Understanding Instagram Reel Safe Zones

The safe zone is the area of the screen where your content is guaranteed to be visible without obstruction from Instagram's UI elements. This is the most important -- and most frequently misunderstood -- aspect of Reel sizing.

Why Safe Zones Matter

When a user views your Reel, Instagram overlays several interface elements on top of your video:

• Top: Username, follow button, and three-dot menu
• Right side: Heart (like), comment, share, and save buttons
• Bottom: Caption text, audio attribution, and username
• Far bottom: Navigation bar (Home, Search, Create, Reels, Profile)

Any content that falls under these UI elements is obscured. If your product name, call-to-action, or subject's face is behind the like button or buried under the caption, you have wasted that creative real estate.

Exact Safe Zone Measurements

Based on the 1080 x 1920 canvas:

Top safe zone: Keep critical content below 210 pixels from the top edge. This clears the status bar, username row, and follow button overlay. For maximum safety, use a 250-pixel top margin.

Bottom safe zone: Keep critical content above 440 pixels from the bottom edge. This clears the caption area, audio bar, and navigation bar. The bottom is the most dangerous zone because the caption overlay varies in height depending on caption length. If your caption is long (3+ lines), the overlay extends further up. For maximum safety, use a 500-pixel bottom margin.

Right side safe zone: Keep critical content at least 120 pixels from the right edge. This clears the interaction buttons (like, comment, share, save). The buttons are stacked vertically in the lower-right quadrant, so the right-side danger zone extends from approximately 800 pixels down to 1500 pixels from the top.

Left side safe zone: The left side has minimal overlay. A 35-pixel margin from the left edge is sufficient.

The Center Safe Zone (Where Your Content Lives)

Combining all four margins, the guaranteed-visible center area is:

• Left: 35 pixels from left edge
• Right: 120 pixels from right edge
• Top: 210 pixels from top edge
• Bottom: 440 pixels from bottom edge

This gives you an effective safe content area of approximately 925 x 1270 pixels within the 1080 x 1920 canvas. Design your compositions so that all essential visual elements -- faces, text, product shots, logos, CTAs -- fall within this rectangle.

Text Placement Rules

Text is the most commonly clipped element in Reels because creators place it at the edges of the frame for visual design reasons, not realizing it will be obscured.

Headline text: Place in the upper third of the safe zone, centered horizontally. Use a minimum font size equivalent to 40px at 1080 width. Keep headlines to 5-7 words maximum -- longer headlines require smaller fonts that are hard to read on mobile.

Body text / bullet points: Place in the center of the safe zone. Use a minimum font size equivalent to 28px at 1080 width. Left-align body text with a left margin of at least 80 pixels from the canvas edge.

Call-to-action text: Place in the lower-center of the safe zone, but above the 440-pixel bottom exclusion zone. A CTA placed at approximately 1350-1450 pixels from the top edge is in the sweet spot -- visible but low enough to feel like a natural end-of-frame prompt.

Caption safe area: If your Reel relies on caption text (rather than burned-in text), keep in mind that Instagram truncates captions after approximately 2 lines in the Reel view. Users must tap "more" to see the rest. Place any critical information -- discount codes, product names, links -- in the first 125 characters of your caption.

Instagram Reel Cover Photo Specifications

The cover photo is what users see on your profile grid and in certain discovery surfaces. A poorly sized cover photo makes your profile look unprofessional.

Cover Photo Dimensions

• Full cover image dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels (same as the Reel itself)
• Profile grid display: Instagram crops the cover to a 1:1 square (1080 x 1080) for your profile grid, taken from the center of the image
• Reels tab display: Displays at 9:16 but may crop slightly depending on device

Designing Effective Covers

Because the cover displays at 9:16 in some contexts and 1:1 in others, design for both simultaneously. Place key visual elements in the center 1080 x 1080 square (pixels 420-1500 vertically) -- this area is visible in both crops. Use the top and bottom 420-pixel bands for atmospheric backgrounds only, not critical information.

Cover text should be minimum 60px at 1080 width for grid legibility. Use bold, high-contrast fonts. Always upload a custom cover image rather than selecting a video frame -- video frames are rarely composed optimally for static thumbnails.

Cover Photo File Specs

• Format: JPG or PNG
• Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• File size: Under 10 MB
• Color space: sRGB

Instagram Reels vs. Stories vs. Feed Video: Dimension Differences

All three vertical video formats on Instagram use the same 9:16 aspect ratio but differ in their technical specifications and display contexts.

Specification Comparison Table

Specification	Reels	Stories	Feed Video
Resolution	1080 x 1920	1080 x 1920	1080 x 1350 (4:5) or 1080 x 1920 (9:16)
Aspect ratio	9:16	9:16	4:5 (recommended) or 9:16
Max duration	3 minutes	60 seconds per frame	60 minutes
Max file size	4 GB	4 GB	4 GB
Frame rate	30 fps	30 fps	30 fps
Grid thumbnail	1:1 center crop	N/A (not on grid)	1:1 center crop
Safe zone top	210 px	200 px	0 px (no overlay)
Safe zone bottom	440 px	250 px	0 px (in Feed view)
Safe zone right	120 px	60 px	0 px
Audio	Required for best performance	Optional	Optional
Captions on screen	Recommended	Optional	Recommended

Key Differences

For Feed placement, 4:5 (1080 x 1350) is optimal because it maximizes Feed screen real estate. If you share the same video as both Reel and Feed post, export at 9:16 and accept the Feed cropping.

Stories have less UI overlay than Reels (no right-side interaction buttons, smaller caption area), giving more usable canvas. However, leave space for interactive stickers.

Reels have the most restrictive safe zones of any Instagram video format. Always design Reels-first if you plan to reuse content across formats -- what works within Reel safe zones works everywhere else.

Cross-Platform Video Dimension Comparison

If you produce vertical video for multiple platforms, here is how Reel dimensions compare to other short-form video platforms.

Platform	Resolution	Aspect Ratio	Max Duration	Max File Size	Frame Rate
Instagram Reels	1080 x 1920	9:16	3 min	4 GB	30 fps
TikTok	1080 x 1920	9:16	10 min	4 GB	30-60 fps
YouTube Shorts	1080 x 1920	9:16	3 min	256 MB	30-60 fps
Pinterest Idea Pins	1080 x 1920	9:16	60 sec/clip	2 GB	30 fps
Facebook Reels	1080 x 1920	9:16	3 min	4 GB	30 fps
Snapchat Spotlight	1080 x 1920	9:16	3 min	1 GB	30 fps

Universal spec: 1080 x 1920, 9:16, 30 fps, H.264 MP4, under 256 MB works across every major platform. If you design within Instagram Reel safe zones (the most restrictive), your content will generally be safe on other platforms as well.

Export Settings: Getting the Best Quality

Instagram compresses every video you upload. Your goal is to upload the highest quality source file so that the compression produces an acceptable result.

Recommended Export Settings

Regardless of your editing software, target these specifications:

• Format: H.264 / MP4
• Resolution: 1080 x 1920
• Frame rate: 30 fps
• Bitrate: VBR, 15-20 Mbps target, 25 Mbps maximum
• Audio: AAC, 256 kbps, 48 kHz, Stereo
• Color space: Rec. 709

In Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, use 2-pass VBR encoding. In Final Cut Pro, use Apple Devices 1080p at High quality. Mobile editors like CapCut handle codec settings automatically -- just set resolution to 1080p and quality to Maximum.

Why Bitrate Matters

Instagram re-encodes every uploaded video at a lower bitrate. If you upload at 5 Mbps, Instagram compresses to 3 Mbps, producing visible artifacts. Upload at 20 Mbps, and Instagram compresses to 8-10 Mbps -- high enough to look sharp on mobile. The 15-20 Mbps sweet spot maximizes quality without wasting upload time.

Common Quality Issues and Fixes

• Blurry video: Source resolution below 1080x1920 or bitrate below 10 Mbps. Always export at full resolution with 15-20 Mbps.
• Washed out colors: Source uses a non-Rec. 709 color space (Log, HLG). Apply a Rec. 709 transform before exporting.
• Compression blocks in dark areas: Lift blacks slightly (3-5% shadow levels) or add subtle film grain to give the encoder texture.
• Soft text: Thin or low-contrast fonts compress poorly. Use bold, high-contrast text with drop shadows or background boxes.

How AI Tools Auto-Format for Correct Dimensions

One of the biggest advantages of using AI video generation tools for Instagram content is automatic formatting. Instead of manually calculating safe zones, setting export parameters, and designing within constraints, AI tools handle the technical specifications for you.

AdCreate's Automatic Formatting

When you create video content with AdCreate's text-to-video or image-to-video features, the output is automatically formatted for your target platform:

• Resolution: Exports at 1080 x 1920 for vertical formats (Reels, TikTok, Shorts) and 1920 x 1080 for horizontal formats (YouTube, Facebook Feed)
• Safe zones: Text overlays, titles, CTAs, and watermarks are automatically placed within the safe zone for your selected platform
• Aspect ratio: Select your target platform and the video is generated at the correct aspect ratio -- no manual cropping or letterboxing
• Export settings: Videos are exported with optimized codec, bitrate, and color settings for each platform

AdCreate's multi-model system supports Veo 3.1, Sora 2, Wan 2.5, Kling 2.6, and Runway Gen-4, and all models output in Instagram-ready specifications. You choose the model based on the visual style you want, not the technical specs -- the platform handles formatting universally.

For brands producing high volumes of Reels content, this automatic formatting eliminates one of the most tedious parts of the production workflow. No more exporting from your editor, checking safe zones, re-exporting when text is clipped, and uploading a corrected version. Generate, review, post.

Using AI Avatars Within Safe Zones

AdCreate's Persona AI positions AI avatars within the safe zone by default. The avatar's face and upper body are centered in the visible area, and any name lower-thirds or text overlays are placed within safe boundaries. With over 100 avatars across 40+ languages, you can generate UGC-style talking-head Reels that are correctly formatted from the first export.

This is especially valuable for brands creating localized content. A Reel featuring an avatar speaking French needs the same safe zone compliance as one in English. When you produce across multiple languages at scale, manual safe zone checking for every variant is impractical. Automated formatting makes multi-language Reel production feasible.

Template-Based Formatting

AdCreate's Ad Wizard includes 50+ templates pre-designed for Instagram Reel dimensions. Each template has text fields, product placement areas, and CTA zones pre-positioned within safe zones. You customize the content -- your brand colors, product images, messaging -- and the template ensures everything stays within spec.

For brands without a dedicated designer, templates eliminate the guesswork entirely. Select a Reel template, add your content, export, and publish with confidence that nothing will be clipped or obscured.

Creating a Reel Dimension Checklist

Before publishing any Reel, run through this checklist:

1. Resolution: Is the export exactly 1080 x 1920 pixels?
2. Aspect ratio: Is it 9:16? (Check for accidental letterboxing or pillarboxing)
3. Frame rate: Is it 30 fps?
4. File format: Is it MP4 with H.264 codec?
5. Top safe zone: Is all critical content below 210 pixels from the top?
6. Bottom safe zone: Is all critical content above 440 pixels from the bottom?
7. Right safe zone: Is all critical content at least 120 pixels from the right edge?
8. Cover photo: Does the cover have its key element centered in the middle 1080 x 1080 square?
9. Text legibility: Is all text at least 28px equivalent at 1080 width?
10. CTA visibility: Is the call-to-action visible and not overlapped by UI elements?
11. Caption first line: Are the first 125 characters of the caption complete and compelling?
12. Audio: Does the Reel have audio (music or voice)? Reels with audio consistently outperform silent Reels.

Composition Tips for the 9:16 Canvas

The 9:16 frame is tall and narrow, creating different visual dynamics than horizontal video. Center-dominant compositions work better on vertical than horizontal. Use the top third for hooks and text, the middle third for your subject, and keep the bottom third above the caption zone clear for CTAs.

Vertical video is consumed with a natural top-to-bottom eye path. Place your hook at the top of the safe zone, lead the viewer's eye down through the middle, and end with your CTA in the lower-center area. This flow aligns with Instagram's own UI layout.

AdCreate's AI Toolbox includes 16+ tools that streamline Reel creation beyond video generation: script generators for specific durations (15s, 30s, 60s), caption generators optimized for the 125-character truncation point, hashtag research tools, and thumbnail creators with automatic 1:1 grid-safe composition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I upload a Reel that is not 9:16?

Instagram will either crop or letterbox your video to fit the 9:16 display. If you upload a 16:9 (horizontal) video as a Reel, Instagram adds large black bars above and below, making the actual video content occupy only about one-third of the screen -- a terrible viewing experience. If you upload a 1:1 (square) video, Instagram adds bars on the top and bottom. Always format as 9:16 before uploading. If you have horizontal source footage, crop it to 9:16 in your editor and recompose the frame rather than relying on Instagram's automatic handling.

Is 4K (2160 x 3840) better than 1080 x 1920 for Reels?

No. Instagram downscales all uploads to 1080 x 1920 maximum. Uploading at 4K means a larger file that takes longer to upload and process, with zero quality improvement in the final output. The only scenario where starting at 4K is useful is if you plan to crop into a 4K frame to recompose for 9:16 -- for example, extracting a vertical crop from a 4K horizontal shot. In that case, shoot at 4K for the additional resolution headroom, but still export your final Reel at 1080 x 1920.

How do I design one video that works for both Reels and Feed?

Design at 9:16 (1080 x 1920) for Reels. Place all critical content within the center 4:5 area (1080 x 1350, vertically centered) as well as the Reel safe zones. When the video appears in the Feed, Instagram crops to approximately 4:5, showing the center portion. If your essential content is within the center 4:5 zone, it will be fully visible in both Reel and Feed views. Avoid placing critical text or visual elements in the extreme top and bottom of the 9:16 frame.

What is the best resolution for Instagram Reel cover photos?

Use 1080 x 1920 pixels for your cover photo, matching the Reel dimensions. Design the cover knowing it will be displayed at 9:16 in the Reels tab but cropped to 1:1 on your profile grid. Center the main subject and title text within the middle 1080 x 1080 square. Use high-contrast, bold text at 60px or larger for legibility at grid thumbnail size.

Why does my Reel look blurry even though I exported at 1080p?

The most common cause is low source bitrate. Export at 15-20 Mbps using H.264 VBR encoding with 2-pass rendering. Other causes include: color space mismatch (exporting in a color space other than Rec. 709), frame rate mismatch (exporting at a non-standard frame rate that Instagram re-encodes poorly), or Instagram's servers still processing the video (Reels can appear blurry for up to 30 minutes after upload while Instagram finishes high-quality processing).

Do Instagram Reel dimensions differ between iPhone and Android?

The Reel dimensions are the same across all devices -- 1080 x 1920 at 9:16. However, the display can differ slightly. iPhones with Dynamic Island have a small notch at the top that can overlay the extreme top edge of a Reel. Some Android devices with different screen aspect ratios (such as 19.5:9 or 20:9) may show very thin additional margins on the sides. These differences are minimal and do not affect safe zone recommendations. Design for the standard 1080 x 1920 safe zones and your content will display correctly on all devices.

How do I ensure my Reel dimensions are correct when using AI video generators?

AI video generators like AdCreate output video at the exact specifications you select. When you choose Instagram Reels as your target format, the video is generated at 1080 x 1920, 9:16, 30 fps, with text and visual elements placed within safe zones automatically. There is no manual export configuration required. This is one of the primary advantages of AI generation over traditional editing workflows -- the technical specifications are handled by the platform, so you can focus entirely on creative decisions.

---

Never lose content behind Instagram's UI overlay again. AdCreate automatically formats every video for Instagram Reel safe zones -- 1080 x 1920, text within safe boundaries, covers grid-optimized. Generate Reels-ready video in minutes with Veo 3.1, Sora 2, Wan 2.5, Kling 2.6, or Runway Gen-4. Start from 50+ Ad Wizard templates or create from scratch with Persona AI avatars in 40+ languages. Sign up free and publish pixel-perfect Reels every time.