How to Post Side-by-Side Photos on Instagram

Putting two photos side-by-side on Instagram opens up a ton of creative possibilities, whether you’re showing a dramatic before-and-after transformation, comparing two products, or just want to fit more context into a single post. This guide will walk you through three different methods for posting side-by-side photos, covering everything from simple collages for your Feed to using Instagram's built-in tools for Stories. We'll give you clear steps and practical tips to help you create visuals that stop the scroll.

Why Share Side-by-Side Photos Anyway?

Before jumping into the "how," it's helpful to understand the "why." A side-by-side format is a powerful storytelling tool. It allows you to create an immediate visual connection between two images, which can be far more impactful than posting two separate photos or making users swipe through a carousel.

Here are a few popular ways brands and creators use this format:

• Before-and-After Shots: This is a classic for a reason. Fitness trainers, home renovators, makeup artists, and hairstylists use this format to showcase incredible transformations that speak for themselves. The direct comparison makes the result look even more impressive.
• Product Comparisons: Trying to help your audience decide between two products? A side-by-side layout lets you visually compare features, colors, or styles in one clean image. Think two different shades of lipstick or a product in and out of its packaging.
• Showcasing Details: Sometimes, one photo isn’t enough. You can use a side-by-side post to show an entire outfit on one side and a close-up of the fabric or accessory detail on the other. It adds context without cluttering a single image.
• Then-and-Now: This storytelling method is great for showing growth or change over time. It could be a throwback photo next to a current one, or the progress of a project from start to near-completion.
• Create a Moodboard Effect: Combine two photos that share a similar color palette, texture, or vibe to create a single, more artistic post. It helps build a stronger visual brand and a more curated feed aesthetic.

Three Ways to Post Side-by-Side Photos on Instagram

There isn’t just one single way to create a side-by-side photo on Instagram. Your best method depends on where you want to post it (your Feed or your Story) and how much control you want over the final look. Here are three reliable approaches.

1. Using Canva to Create a Custom Collage for Your Feed

If you want ultimate creative control over your side-by-side image for your main Instagram feed, a third-party app is your best friend. While options like Layout from Instagram (a separate app) and Adobe Express work well, Canva is an absolute powerhouse for this. It's user-friendly, has a fantastic free version, and gives you endless customization options.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Collage in Canva:

1. Open Canva and Choose Your Format: Go to Canva's website or open the mobile app. On the homepage, type "Instagram Post" into the search bar. You’ll want to choose a square (1080x1080 pixels) or portrait (1080x1350 pixels) template. The portrait orientation gives you more screen real estate, which is great for mobile viewing.
2. Find a Grid or Frame: Once you have a blank canvas, look at the menu on the left side of your screen. Click on "Elements," then scroll down until you see "Grids" and "Frames."
   - Grids will automatically snap to fill your whole canvas. Type "two photo grid" in the Elements search bar or scroll through the options to find one that's split right down the middle, either vertically or horizontally.
   - Frames are more flexible. You can place multiple frames on a canvas and resize them however you want, leaving background space visible around the images, a great look for a custom design.
3. Upload Your Photos: In the left-side menu, click "Uploads" and upload the two photos you want to use from your computer or phone. Once they're uploaded, they'll appear in your Canva library.
4. Drag and Drop Your Photos into the Grid: This part is super simple. Just click and drag your first photo from the uploads library and hover it over one side of the grid. It will automatically snap into place. Do the same with your second photo for the other side. If you don't like the placement, you can drag one photo over the other to swap them.
5. Adjust and Edit: Double-click on either image within the grid to reposition it. You can drag it up, down, left, or right to get the perfect crop. You can also add text, borders, or other graphic elements from the "Elements" tab to further customize your design. Want a small white border between the photos? Instead of one two-photo grid, place two single-photo grids next to each other, leaving a tiny gap in between.
6. Download Your Finished Image: Once you’re happy with the layout, click the "Share" button in the top right corner, then "Download." Choose your file type (JPG for smaller file sizes, PNG for higher quality) and hit download. Now the image is saved to your device, ready to be uploaded directly to your Instagram feed just like any other photo.

2. Using Instagram's 'Layout' Feature for Stories

Sometimes you just want something quick and easy for your Instagram Stories. For that, Instagram’s built-in "Layout" feature is perfect. No need to leave the app at all.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Story Layouts:

1. Open Instagram Stories: Swipe right from your Instagram home screen or tap your profile picture with the plus icon to open the Story creation screen.
2. Select "Layout": On the left side of the screen, you’ll see a vertical list of icons. Tap the one that looks like a grid - this is the "Layout" tool.
3. Choose Your Grid Style: By default, it starts with a four-photo grid. Tap the "Change Grid" icon (it might look like a rectangle split into sections) to cycle through the different options. There are several two-photo layouts, including a vertical split, horizontal split, and more.
4. Add Your Photos: Now you can add photos to your grid. You have two options:
   - Tap the image gallery icon in the bottom-left corner to add photos from your camera roll. Select a photo for each section of the grid.
   - Or, tap the shutter button in the center to take a new photo for each section directly within the app.
5. Customize and Post: Once your photos are in the layout, tap the checkmark at the bottom. You are now back in the standard Story editor. From here, you can add text, stickers, GIFs, or music just like you would with any other Story. When you're finished, share it to your story.

A Pro Tip: Using Photos as Stickers

Another quick trick for Stories involves using the "Add Yours" sticker, but with photos. Start with a single image or background for your Story. Then, tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen. Look for the sticker that shows a preview of your camera roll (it’s a circle with your most recent picture). Tap it, and you can add another photo as a "sticker." You can resize, rotate, and place this second photo anywhere you want, including right next to your first image. Tap the photo sticker to change its shape from a rectangle to a circle, star, or heart for other great looks.

3. "Swipe Left" Side-by-Side in a Carousel Post

This method isn't a traditional collage but it achieves a similar side-by-side effect dynamically. By using a multi-image carousel post and cropping your photos just right, you can create a seamless "swipeable" panoramic view or a very clear comparison that encourages users to interact with your post by swiping.

How to Set It Up:

1. Start With A Wide Image: Begin with one wide, panoramic image or create one by placing two standard vertical photos next to each other in an editor like Canva or Photoshop. A good dimension is 2160 pixels wide by 1350 pixels tall. This gives you two 1080x1350 vertical slides side-by-side.
2. Split the Image: Use an app like “PhotoSplit” or “Pano” or just manually crop the wide image into two equal square or portrait-shaped photos, right down the middle - the end result being two individual photos: one representing the left half and one the right.
3. Create a Carousel post: In Instagram, tap the "+" icon to make a new post. Select the “select multiple" button. Choose your first image (the left side), then your second, paying attention to the correct sequence.
4. Post and Voila: Preview the post and you will see how as a user swipes from photo one to photo two, they form a cohesive, sweeping side-by-side image. It's a fantastic technique for dramatic landscape shots, group photos, or side-by-side presentations on products within a shared environment.

Final Thoughts

Creating a beautiful side-by-side image on Instagram doesn't need to be a difficult ordeal. As shown, it is perfectly simple to pull this off quickly through your own Canva account with its impressive library of templates, a basic Instagram story which takes only minutes, or an elegant and impressive swipeable carousel.

Of course, after creating impressive new content, staying planned and organized with scheduling across different platforms can be challenging. At Postbase, our main focus is helping make content management less frustrating. We offer a crystal-clear visual calendar to schedule everything perfectly, allowing for quick revisions with simple drag-and-drop gestures to arrange your posts in whatever time slot they should fill.