Instagram Video Specs 2025: Resolution, Duration & Format
Why Instagram Video Specifications Matter
Instagram processes billions of videos daily, and understanding the platform's technical requirements is crucial for maintaining quality and maximizing engagement. Upload a video that doesn't meet Instagram's specifications, and you'll experience compression artifacts, cropping issues, or outright upload failures.
This comprehensive guide covers every video specification for all Instagram content types, helping creators, marketers, and brands optimize their video content for the best possible results in 2025.
Complete Instagram Video Specifications Table
| Content Type | Aspect Ratio | Resolution | Duration | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed Video | 4:5 (portrait), 1:1 (square), 1.91:1 (landscape) | 1080 x 1350px (preferred) | 3 seconds - 60 minutes | Max 4GB |
| Reels | 9:16 (vertical) | 1080 x 1920px | 15-90 seconds | Max 4GB |
| Stories | 9:16 (vertical) | 1080 x 1920px | Max 60 seconds | Max 4GB |
| IGTV/Long Video | 9:16 or 16:9 | 1080p minimum | 1-60 minutes (verified accounts up to 60 min) | Max 5.4GB for 60+ min |
| Live Video | Variable (recommended 9:16) | 720p minimum | Max 4 hours | N/A (streaming) |
| Carousel Video | 1:1 (square preferred) | 1080 x 1080px | Max 60 seconds each | Max 4GB total |
Technical Format Requirements
Video Codec and Container Formats
Instagram accepts specific video formats to ensure compatibility and quality across devices:
| Specification | Recommended | Also Accepted | Not Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container Format | MP4 | MOV | AVI, WMV, FLV |
| Video Codec | H.264 | H.265 (HEVC) | VP8, VP9 |
| Audio Codec | AAC | MP3 | PCM, FLAC |
| Frame Rate | 30 FPS | 24, 25, 60 FPS | Variable frame rate |
| Bitrate (Video) | 5-10 Mbps | 3.5-5 Mbps | Below 1 Mbps or above 15 Mbps |
| Bitrate (Audio) | 128 kbps | 96-192 kbps | Below 64 kbps |
Color Space and Profile Settings
- Color Space: YUV 4:2:0
- Color Profile: BT.709 (HD) or BT.2020 (HDR support coming)
- Bit Depth: 8-bit (10-bit accepted but converted)
- Profile Level: H.264 High Profile Level 4.2
Instagram Reels Video Specifications (Detailed)
Reels are Instagram's flagship short-form video format and require specific optimization:
Optimal Reels Specifications:
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical) - mandatory for full-screen experience
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (1920 x 1080 will be letterboxed)
- Duration: 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds (90s requires update)
- Frame Rate: 30 FPS (standard), 60 FPS supported but may be downsampled
- Video Bitrate: 8-10 Mbps for best quality
- Audio Bitrate: 128-192 kbps
- Format: MP4 (H.264 codec)
Reels Quality Optimization Tips:
- Always shoot in vertical: Never crop horizontal footage to vertical, as it reduces quality
- Use highest resolution camera mode: 4K source footage downscaled to 1080p looks better than native 1080p
- Maintain consistent lighting: Prevents compression artifacts in darker areas
- Avoid rapid motion blur: Can cause banding in compressed video
- Use constant frame rate: Variable frame rate causes sync issues
- Export with recommended bitrate: Too low causes pixelation, too high gets compressed anyway
Instagram Stories Video Specifications
Stories are ephemeral content with similar technical requirements to Reels but different optimal practices:
Stories Technical Specs:
| Parameter | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 9:16 (full screen) | 1:1 and 4:5 supported but will have bars |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920px | Minimum 720 x 1280px |
| Video Length | Max 60 seconds | Longer videos split into 15-second segments |
| File Size | Max 4GB | Smaller files upload faster |
| Format | MP4 or MOV | MP4 preferred for compatibility |
Stories-Specific Considerations:
- Safe zones: Keep important content away from top 14% and bottom 20% where UI elements appear
- Text readability: Use high contrast for text overlays due to mobile viewing
- Auto-advance: Consider that Stories auto-play in sequence
- Sound-off viewing: Add captions; many users watch Stories without sound
- Compression tolerance: Stories undergo more compression than feed posts
Feed Video Specifications and Best Practices
Traditional feed videos have the most flexible specifications but still benefit from optimization:
Feed Video Aspect Ratios Explained:
| Aspect Ratio | Dimensions | Use Case | Display Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 (Square) | 1080 x 1080px | Universal compatibility, safe choice | Full width on mobile feed |
| 4:5 (Portrait) | 1080 x 1350px | Maximum mobile screen real estate | Tallest feed video format |
| 1.91:1 (Landscape) | 1080 x 608px | Horizontal videos, landscape content | Letterboxed on mobile |
| 16:9 (Widescreen) | 1920 x 1080px | Desktop viewing, cinematic content | Heavy letterboxing on mobile |
Which Aspect Ratio Should You Choose?
- 4:5 portrait: Best for mobile engagement, takes up 78% more screen space than square
- 1:1 square: Safe universal format, works well on all devices
- Landscape: Only if content demands it (travel, nature, cinematic b-roll)
Video Duration Guidelines by Content Type
Instagram supports various video lengths, but optimal duration depends on content type and audience behavior:
| Content Type | Minimum Duration | Maximum Duration | Optimal Duration | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reels | 1 second | 90 seconds | 7-15 seconds | Maximizes completion rate |
| Stories | 1 second | 60 seconds | 5-10 seconds | Matches attention span |
| Feed Video | 3 seconds | 60 minutes | 30-60 seconds | Balances engagement and message |
| Tutorial/Educational | 30 seconds | 10 minutes | 2-5 minutes | Sufficient for teaching |
| Product Demo | 15 seconds | 3 minutes | 45-90 seconds | Shows value without losing interest |
File Size and Compression Best Practices
Managing File Sizes for Optimal Upload
Instagram's 4GB limit is generous, but smaller files upload faster and experience less additional compression:
Compression Guidelines:
- Target file size: 100-200MB for 60-second videos provides excellent quality without bloat
- Use two-pass encoding: Better quality per megabyte than single-pass
- Constant Rate Factor (CRF): CRF 18-23 for H.264 balances quality and size
- Avoid over-compression: Instagram will recompress anyway, but starting too compressed compounds quality loss
- Test on mobile: Always preview on actual devices before posting
Recommended Export Settings by Software:
| Software | Format Preset | Key Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Premiere Pro | H.264 High Quality | Level 4.2, Target Bitrate 8 Mbps, 2-pass VBR |
| Final Cut Pro | Apple Devices 1080p | H.264, Fast encode, Multi-pass enabled |
| DaVinci Resolve | Custom H.264 | Quality Restriction: None, Bitrate 10 Mbps |
| HandBrake | Fast 1080p30 | CRF 20, Web Optimized, AAC 160kbps |
| CapCut | Smart HDR | 1080p, 30fps, High quality export |
Audio Specifications and Best Practices
Audio quality is often overlooked but crucial for professional video content:
Audio Technical Requirements:
- Sample Rate: 48 kHz (preferred) or 44.1 kHz
- Bit Depth: 16-bit minimum, 24-bit for production
- Channels: Stereo (2 channels) or Mono (1 channel)
- Codec: AAC-LC (Low Complexity)
- Bitrate: 128 kbps (minimum), 192 kbps (recommended)
Audio Optimization Tips:
- Normalize audio levels: Target -14 LUFS for consistent volume
- Remove background noise: Use noise reduction in editing software
- Add subtle compression: Evens out volume variations
- Test with and without headphones: Many users watch on phone speakers
- Include captions: 85% of video views happen without sound
- Use trending audio for Reels: But ensure it's properly licensed
Common Upload Issues and Solutions
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Video appears pixelated | Low bitrate or resolution | Export at 1080p minimum with 8+ Mbps bitrate |
| Aspect ratio is wrong | Incorrect dimensions | Verify exact pixel dimensions for target format |
| Upload fails or freezes | File size too large or unstable connection | Reduce file size below 1GB, use WiFi |
| Video is cropped unexpectedly | Wrong aspect ratio uploaded | Match exact ratio: 9:16, 4:5, or 1:1 |
| Audio out of sync | Variable frame rate | Convert to constant frame rate before upload |
| Colors look washed out | Color space mismatch | Export in BT.709 color space |
| Video rejected as "too short" | Below minimum duration | Feed videos must be 3+ seconds, Reels 1+ second |
Future-Proofing Your Video Content
Instagram continuously evolves its video capabilities. Stay ahead by:
- Shooting in 4K: Even though Instagram displays in 1080p, 4K source provides flexibility
- Using HDR when available: Instagram is testing HDR support
- Archiving high-quality masters: Keep original files before Instagram compression
- Monitoring aspect ratio trends: Vertical video continues gaining dominance
- Testing new formats early: Instagram often boosts early adopters of new features
Quick Reference Checklist
Before uploading any Instagram video, verify:
- ✓ Resolution is at least 1080p for the content type
- ✓ Aspect ratio matches target format (9:16 for Reels/Stories, 4:5 or 1:1 for Feed)
- ✓ Video duration falls within specified limits
- ✓ File format is MP4 with H.264 codec
- ✓ Audio is AAC codec at 128+ kbps
- ✓ Frame rate is constant (30 FPS recommended)
- ✓ File size is under 4GB (ideally under 500MB)
- ✓ Colors are in BT.709 color space
- ✓ Audio levels are normalized and clear
- ✓ Content has been previewed on mobile device
Conclusion
Understanding and adhering to Instagram's video specifications ensures your content displays at the highest quality possible while avoiding upload failures and compression artifacts. Whether you're creating Reels, Stories, or feed videos, these technical requirements serve as the foundation for professional-looking content that engages your audience effectively.
Remember that while meeting technical specifications is important, compelling content with strong storytelling, authentic messaging, and value for your audience will always be the most critical factor in Instagram success.