Instagram Story Dimensions & Specs — Complete 2026 Guide

Recommended Story Dimensions

The optimal Instagram story dimensions are 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This fills the entire screen on most smartphones. For more details, see our guide on view stories anonymously. For more details, see our guide on how long Instagram stories last.

Story Specifications

Image Stories

• Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• File format: JPG or PNG
• Maximum file size: 30 MB
• Display duration: 5 seconds

Video Stories

• Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 9:16
• File format: MP4 or MOV
• Maximum file size: 250 MB
• Maximum duration: 60 seconds
• Frame rate: 30 fps recommended
• Codec: H.264

Safe Zones

Not all of the 1080 x 1920 canvas is visible on every device:

• Top 250 pixels: May be covered by your username and story controls
• Bottom 250 pixels: May be covered by the reply bar and stickers
• Safe area: 1080 x 1420 pixels in the center

Keep important text and visual elements within the safe zone.

What Happens If Dimensions Are Wrong?

• Too small: Image will be stretched and look blurry
• Too large: Image will be cropped to fit
• Wrong aspect ratio: Black bars or cropping
• Too low resolution: Pixelation and poor quality

Tips for Best Quality

• Always create content at 1080 x 1920
• Use PNG for graphics with text
• Use JPG for photos
• Keep video bitrate high for clarity
• Avoid heavy compression before uploading
• Test on multiple devices before posting

Downloading Stories in Original Quality

When you download stories with StoriesFly, you get the original resolution:

• No compression or quality loss
• Original dimensions preserved
• Both photo and video stories supported
• HD quality downloads included with all plans

Tools for Creating Stories

Popular tools that support correct story dimensions:

• Canva (free templates at 1080x1920)
• Adobe Express
• Figma
• CapCut for video stories
• Instagram's built-in story editor