Instagram Reel Dimensions: The 2026 Size Guide (Ratio, Pixels, Export)
The correct Instagram Reel dimensions are 1080×1920 at a 9:16 ratio. This guide covers pixels, safe zones, cover crops, and how to render 9:16 clips with AI.
Posting a Reel at the wrong size gets you letterboxed edges and a cropped caption. Here are the dimensions Instagram expects in 2026 and how to export for them.
The short answer
- Reel dimensions: 1080 × 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (portrait)
- Minimum acceptable: 720 × 1280 — Instagram will upscale and soften it
- Frame rate: 30fps is standard; 24-60fps is accepted
- Format: MP4 (H.264) is the safest upload format
Safe zones: where text gets cut
Instagram overlays the UI on top of your video. Keep important text and faces inside:
- Top 250px: username and follow button live here.
- Bottom 320px: caption, music, and the action row cover this band.
- Right 60px: the like/comment/share rail.
Design your hook in the middle 60% of the frame.
Cover photo crop
Reel covers display as a 1:1 square in the profile grid but 9:16 in the Reels tab. Center your subject so both crops work, and avoid text near the edges of either frame.
How to get 9:16 clips without a camera
AI video generators render portrait natively. In our free AI video generator, pick the portrait orientation when you generate:
- Text to Video — describe the scene, export a 9:16 MP4 at 1080-class resolution.
- Image to Video — turn a vertical product shot or portrait photo into motion, keeping the original framing.
- Animation Maker — animated 2D/anime-style clips that fit Reels pacing.
Generate at the highest resolution your credits allow, then upload the MP4 directly — no editor required.
Export checklist before posting
- Resolution is 1080 × 1920 (9:16).
- Text and faces sit inside the safe zone.
- MP4, H.264, under Instagram's 4GB limit.
- Cover image chosen and center-cropped for the grid.
Get these four right and your Reel fills the screen edge to edge on every device.