Do you want to post a picture to Instagram but you are not sure what the ideal Instagram image size is? In the past, it used to be quite simple to upload a picture to Instagram, as the platform only allowed one orientation and most of the features we see today were not present.
It is not a secret that Instagram is huge. According to Oberlo, the platform has 1 billion monthly users and 500 million of them use it every day. So, using Instagram to grow your personal profile or business whether you’re marketing a book or even a screenplay is a good idea.
In 2015, Instagram added the possibility of uploading pictures with a resolution of 1080px, and also support for other aspect ratios apart from the classical square format.
Therefore, there are a number of factors we must take into consideration before uploading pictures to Instagram if we really want to get the best results possible.
Image size, dimension, and Instagram features are just some of the things we need to understand well before jumping into the Instagram world.
What Is the Best Instagram Image Size for 2019?
There is not a single answer for this. The ideal Instagram image dimensions will depend on the place on Instagram where you are posting them.
- Profile picture
- Published pictures
- Ig stories
- Ads
Profile Picture
Your profile picture is the face you show to all your followers. Depending on the type of account you have, it can become your trademark. The ideal size for your profile picture is 110px x 110px.
Published Pictures
Depending on the type of picture you want to post, there are 3 different formats that you can use so your pictures look good and with a decent resolution.
You can use the square format, which has an aspect ratio of 1:1 and the optimum resolution for Instagram is 1080px x 1080px.
Another format you can use to make a picture look good is the portrait format. With an aspect ratio of 4:5, the ideal resolution for a portrait picture on Instagram is 1080px x 1350px.
The third format widely used on Instagram is the Landscape format. It has an aspect ratio of 16:9 and the ideal resolution on Instagram is 1080px x 608px.
Instagram Stories
When uploading a story to Instagram, people will usually prefer a large format as this will cover the entire screen. The aspect ratio for this kind of pictures should be 16:9 and the resolution 1080px x 1920px. For a full in-depth guide on Instagram story dimensions, you can read more here about Instagram story size examples.
Ads
The best format you can use if you want to post ads on Instagram is the square format. Use the aspect ratio 1:1 and a resolution of 1080px x 1080px.
Understanding Instagram Image Size and Dimensions
When we upload a picture to Instagram, it will rarely keep its original resolution, as the platform only supports pictures that are between 330px and 1080px.
Also, Instagram compresses your images for a better performance of the platform, which can sometimes result in a dramatic change to the resolution of your images.
Any picture that is smaller than 320px, Instagram will enlarge it to 320px, so I do not recommend you upload any picture smaller than this or the quality will be severely affected.
On the other hand, photos that are larger than 1080px will be sized down to 1080px, but the quality won’t be really affected. It is always better to size down a picture than to enlarge it when it comes to quality and resolution.
Also, when Instagram compresses the images, even if they have 1080px, they will be compressed to a different size, usually 1 to 3 times smaller than the original.
It is important that you keep this in mind before uploading pictures on Instagram. However, if you use the resolutions we mentioned above, your images should have a good quality when shared on the platform. If you’re still struggling with quality I recommend using a graphic design services company like Design Pickle or Canva.
Instagram Image Size and Aspect Ratios: Understanding the Numbers
It might seem difficult to understand what resolution and aspect ratios are. However, they are easy to understand when you know what the numbers really mean.
Resolution
The resolution of a photo is the number of pixels that make up the image in its height and width. A picture that is 1080px x 1080px contains 1080 pixels in height and width, which makes it a square picture. The more pixels an image has the better quality it shows.
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio of a picture refers to the relation of its height with its width. It is expressed as a ratio and the first number represents the width and the second one represents the height.
Instagram Statistics for 2019
Now that you know what the best Instagram image size and dimensions are, you can check out why Instagram has become such a huge and popular social network in recent years.
If you want to build a strong social presence on Instagram or maybe run a successful marketing strategy, Instagram is a great place to do so according to the following statistics:
- It Has Over 1 Billion Monthly Active Users
According to TechCrunch, Instagram reached 1 billion users in 2018 and it continues to increase. This makes it the ideal platform to launch a marketing campaign.
- Users Spend Almost 1 Hour a Day on Instagram
According to Recode, the average time users spend on the platform is 53 minutes to be precise. This is enough time to consume ads and help your business grow.
50% of users follow at least one business on Instagram according to a report published by Mention. This means that brands have a high chance of increasing their conversion rates through this platform.
There are many other statistics that make Instagram the ideal place to launch a marketing campaign if you are running a business. You can take a look at some more on this report published by Oberlo.
Checking the Resolution for an Ideal Instagram Image Size
Before you post your picture to Instagram, you should know how to check the resolution of the image you are about to upload. This way, you can prevent your picture from being cropped and losing resolution on the platform.
If you are on a PC, you can check the resolution of a picture by right-clicking on the image and selecting Properties. Then, you click on Details and you should see a box with the image size and dimensions.
If you have an Android device, you go to your gallery and select the drop-down menu. The location may vary according to the manufacturer but it is usually represented by 3 lines or dots.
Select the tab Info and you will be able to see the size and dimensions of the image.
Common Mistakes When Uploading Content to Instagram
If you are trying to grow your business on Instagram, you are doing right! According to Emarketer, Instagram is the second most engaged social platform after Facebook.
If you want your marketing strategy to be successful on Instagram, there are some common mistakes you should avoid so you can really get the best marketing experience from Instagram.
- Don’t Share Low-Quality Pictures
Make sure you are using the right aspect ratio and resolution for your pictures. Remember the content you post on Instagram will showcase the product or service you are selling.
An ideal aspect ratio is 1:1 or square format. The ideal resolution should be 1080px x 1080px. Low-quality images are often ignored by users when scrolling down their feed.
- Not Using or Changing Your Profile Picture Too Often
Don’t forget to use your logo or a picture that identifies your brand as your profile picture using the resolution recommended above. Remember that your profile picture is your trademark.
Also, changing your profile picture too often will prevent users from recognizing or associating your brand to a specific product or service. Decide what your profile picture will be before launching your strategy on Ig and stick with it.
- Don’t Use Photos That Are Not Original
Always share original photos when running a marketing campaign on Instagram. Using photos taken from other sites will rest value to your brand and can also bring many copyright issues.
It might be more expensive or difficult to take original pictures, but doing so will guarantee extra value to your profile and will avoid problems that can come up in the future.
- Always Post at Peak Times
Before running a marketing strategy on Instagram, you have to know what the best times are to post your pictures.
Posting at off-peak times means that your content won’t reach as many users as it should. Therefore, make sure you do so at the correct time.
According to Hubspot, the best times to post to Instagram are:
- Not Having a Solid Video Marketing Strategy
Even though Instagram is a platform where people share images, for the most part, video is starting to play a major role in the Instagram world. With the introduction of IGTV, video is now a main part of the platform.
This makes it the perfect place for launching a video marketing campaign. If you would like to give it a try, there are many online video makers that can help you produce videos easily and quickly.
You can use a free video maker such as Lumen5, which helps you convert posts and text into high-quality videos that you can share on Instagram in a matter of minutes.
Final Thoughts
Remember that a solid marketing strategy should include both, pictures and images so it reaches as many users as possible.
Now that you know what the best Instagram image size and dimensions are, the best times to post on Instagram, the mistakes you should avoid, and the information to design a video marketing strategy, I can’t wish you anything but the best!
Good luck!
