How to Resize a Video for Instagram

Got the perfect video content, but when you upload it to Instagram, it looks awkwardly cropped and pixelated? You're not alone. This quick guide will walk you through exactly how to resize a video for Instagram's key formats - Feed, Stories, and Reels - so your content always looks sharp, professional, and captures your audience's attention.

Why Does Proper Video Sizing Even Matter on Instagram?

You might think a slightly off-center crop isn't a big deal, but it has a real impact on how your content performs. Here's why getting your video dimensions right from the start is so important:

• Optimizes for the User Experience: People scroll through Instagram at lightning speed. A video that fills the screen, looks clean, and doesn't have crucial text or visuals cut off is far more likely to make them stop. An amateurish crop immediately tells viewers this content isn't polished, which can lead to quick scroll-aways and lower watch time.
• Feeds the Algorithm: The Instagram algorithm prioritizes content that keeps users on the platform longer. Professionally sized videos hold attention better, leading to higher engagement signals (likes, comments, shares, saves) and increased watch time. Instagram sees these positive signals and is more likely to show your video to a wider audience.
• Enhances Your Brand's Look: Consistency is foundational to brand building. When your videos are formatted correctly, they contribute to a cohesive, high-quality, and professional-looking feed. Randomly cropped videos make your brand feel inconsistent and less authoritative.

The Instagram Video Dimensions & Aspect Ratios Cheat Sheet

Instagram is no longer just a square photo app. It has multiple video formats, and each has its own ideal specifications. Save this guide for a quick reference whenever you're editing.

Instagram Feed Videos (In-Feed Posts)

These are the videos that appear on your main profile grid and in your followers' scrolling feeds. You have three options here, but one is the clear winner for grabbing attention.

• Portrait (4:5) - Recommended
  • Dimensions: 1080 x 1350 pixels
  • Why it works best: This vertical format takes up the most screen real estate on a mobile device as someone scrolls their feed. More screen space means your video is more immersive and harder to ignore. It's the optimal choice for capturing attention.
• Square (1:1)
  • Dimensions: 1080 x 1080 pixels
  • Why it works: The classic Instagram format. It's a safe choice and works well for content where the subject is centered. It takes up less screen space than 4:5 but is still a solid option.
• Landscape (16:9) - Use with caution
  • Dimensions: 1080 x 608 pixels
  • Why it works (sometimes): This is the standard horizontal format you'd see on YouTube or a TV screen. It's generally not recommended for Instagram because it creates large empty spaces above and below the video on a mobile screen, making it look small and easy to just scroll past. It's only really suitable for highly cinematic content where the wide view is absolutely necessary.

Instagram Reels & Stories

Reels and Stories share the same full-screen, vertical dimensions, making it easy to repurpose content between the two placements.

• Vertical (9:16) - Required
  • Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Why it works: This is the native format for all modern short-form video. It fills the entire mobile screen, creating a fully immersive viewing experience that users have come to expect from Reels and Stories. Not using this format here is a non-starter.

A Quick Note on Reels In-Feed

While Reels are filmed in 9:16, remember they are often displayed with a 4:5 crop on your main profile grid and in the home feed. This means the very top and bottom of your video will be cut off in those views. You need to keep any important text, logos, or faces within the central “safe zone” to make sure they're always visible.

Technical Specifications for All Instagram Videos

• Recommended File Format: MP4
• Recommended Video Codec: H.264
• Frame Rate: 30 frames per second (FPS) is standard and works perfectly.
• Max File Size: 4GB
• Video Length: Reels (up to 90 seconds), Stories (up to 60 seconds per clip), Feed (up to 60 minutes).

How to Resize Your Videos: Step-by-Step Methods

Now that you know the numbers, let's get into the practical side. Here are three simple methods for resizing your videos, ranging from free online tools to professional software.

Method 1: Using a Free Online Video Editor (like Canva or Kapwing)

This is the fastest and easiest method for anyone who isn't a professional video editor. These browser-based tools have pre-made templates for every social media platform.

Step-by-Step with Canva:

1. Start a New Project: Go to Canva's website, click "Create a design," and search for "Instagram Reel" or "Instagram Post (Portrait)." This will automatically create a canvas with the perfect dimensions (1080x1920 or 1080x1350).
2. Upload Your Video: In the editor, navigate to the "Uploads" tab on the left-hand panel and upload your video file from your computer.
3. Add and Adjust the Video: Drag your uploaded video onto the blank canvas. It will snap into place. To resize, click on the video and use the corner handles to scale it up or down. To reposition, simply click and drag the video within the frame until the most important part of the action is centered.
4. Fill the Background (Optional): If your original video is horizontal, you'll have empty spaces above and below it. You can leave them as white or a solid color, change the background color, or you can create the popular "blurred background" effect. To do this, add the video to the canvas twice. Set one version as the background and apply a blur effect. Then, place the original, un-blurred video on top of it.
5. Download: Once you're happy with the positioning, click the "Share" button in the top right, select "Download," choose "MP4 Video" as the file type, and download your perfectly sized video.

Method 2: Using a Mobile Video Editing App (like CapCut or InShot)

If you edit most of your content directly on your phone, mobile apps are the way to go. They're powerful, intuitive, and built for creating social-first content.

Step-by-Step with InShot:

1. Import Your Video: Open the InShot app, tap "Video," and select the clip you want to resize from your camera roll.
2. Set the Canvas Size: Look for the "Canvas" icon on the bottom toolbar. Tapping this will bring up a menu of aspect ratio presets. Select the icon that matches your goal: 9:16 for Reels/Stories, 4:5 for feed portraits, or 1:1 for a square feed post.
3. Position and Scale: The app will automatically fit your video into the new frame. You can use a pinch-to-zoom gesture directly on the video preview to scale it up or down. You can also drag it with your finger to move it until the subject is perfectly framed.
4. Customize the Background: Just like with a desktop tool, InShot's "Background" option lets you choose between a solid color, a gradient, or a blurred version of the video itself to fill any empty space.
5. Export: Tap the export icon in the top right corner. Make sure to choose a high resolution (1080p) and frame rate (30fps) for the best quality, then save the video to your phone.

Method 3: Using Professional Desktop Software (like Adobe Premiere Pro)

For those who prefer a more professional workflow with maximum control, desktop editing software like Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro is the solution.

Step-by-Step with Adobe Premiere Pro:

1. Create a New Sequence: Don't just drag your video onto the timeline. Instead, create a sequence with the right settings from the start. Go to File > New > Sequence. In the Sequence Presets window, go to the "Settings" tab.
2. Set Your Custom Dimensions: For the "Editing Mode," choose "Custom." Change the "Frame Size" to your target dimensions (e.g., 1080 horizontal and 1350 vertical for a 4:5 portrait video). Set the frame rate to 29.97 or 30. Hit "OK".
3. Import and Place Your Clip: Import your video file into the project and drag it onto the new sequence timeline. It will likely appear zoomed in or positioned strangely.
4. Scale and Reposition: Select the clip on the timeline and go to the "Effect Controls" panel. Here, you can adjust the "Scale" and "Position" parameters to fit the video perfectly within your custom frame. This gives you precise control over the final composition.
5. Export with the Right Settings: Once you're done editing, go to File > Export > Media. Choose the "H.264" format. Under the Video tab, ensure the "Width" and "Height" match your sequence settings. For bitrate, a good target is around 10-12 Mbps for 1080p video. Export your file, and it's ready for Instagram.

Final Thoughts

Resizing your videos for Instagram might seem like an extra step, but it's a non-negotiable part of creating content that performs well. By matching the right dimensions and aspect ratios for the Feed, Reels, and Stories, you ensure your work is presented in the best possible way, grabbing attention and giving your content the professional polish it deserves.

We know that managing content for multiple social media formats can add a lot of friction to your creative workflow. At Postbase, we designed our platform with short-form video as a priority, not an afterthought. You can upload your content once and schedule it across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts with the confidence that it will be published reliably and in the correct format, helping you save hours and get back to creating.