How to Split a Panorama for Instagram

A panoramic photo just doesn't hit the same when Instagram forces you to crop it into a tiny horizontal strip. But breaking it up into a swipeable carousel post? That transforms a single good photo into an immersive, engaging experience your followers will actually stop and interact with. This guide shows you exactly how to do it, with step-by-step instructions for popular desktop tools and easy-to-use mobile apps.

Why Split Panoramas for Instagram Anyway?

In a feed that moves a mile a minute, anything that makes someone pause is a win. A swipeable panorama does exactly that. Instead of seeing the whole image at once, users are prompted to swipe through, spending more time on your post. This increased "dwell time" is a great signal to the Instagram algorithm that your content is valuable.

Beyond the algorithm, it’s just a superior way to tell a story. Think about it:

• Epic Landscapes: Let your followers feel like they're standing right there with you, taking in the full sweep of a mountain range or a sunset over the ocean.
• Group Photos: Finally, a way to post that big group shot without everyone turning into a tiny, unrecognizable dot in the middle of the frame.
• Real Estate &, Architecture: Showcase the full width of a room or the facade of a building in a way that feels expansive and inviting.
• Creative Storytelling: Guide the viewer's eye across a series of connected frames, creating a narrative flow that a single image can't match.

It’s a simple trick that elevates your content from a standard photo to an interactive piece of media, making your feed more dynamic and memorable.

First, Nail the Sizing and Dimensions

Before you start slicing and dicing, you need to understand Instagram’s dimensions. Getting this right is what makes the final result seamless. There are two main layouts you'll use for carousels: square and portrait.

Here’s the basic formula: Total Width = [Single Post Width] x [Number of Slides]

For Square Posts (1:1 Ratio)

This is the classic, easiest-to-use format. Each slide will be a perfect square.

• Dimensions of one slide: 1080px by 1080px (width x height)
• For a 2-slide carousel: Your source image should be cropped to 2160px by 1080px.
• For a 3-slide carousel: Your source image should be cropped to 3240px by 1080px.
• For a 4-slide carousel: Your source image should be cropped to 4320px by 1080px.

For Portrait Posts (4:5 Ratio)

Portrait orientation takes up more vertical space in the feed, which can be great for grabbing attention. The principle is the same, just with different height dimensions.

• Dimensions of one slide: 1080px by 1350px (width x height)
• For a 2-slide carousel: Your source image should be cropped to 2160px by 1350px.
• For a 3-slide carousel: Your source image should be cropped to 3240px by 1350px.
• For a 4-slide carousel: Your source image should be cropped to 4320px by 1350px.

Keep these numbers handy. You'll need them regardless of which tool you use to split your image.

How to Split Panoramas: Step-by-Step Guides

You don't need to be a design expert to do this. Whether you prefer powerful desktop software or a quick mobile app, there's a solution that fits your workflow.

Method 1: Using Adobe Photoshop (The Professional's Choice)

Photoshop gives you the most control and the cleanest results. The Slice Tool was made for exactly this kind of task.

1. Open Your Panorama: Launch Photoshop and open the panoramic image you want to split.
2. Crop to The Right Size: Select the Crop Tool (C). In the top options bar, click the dropdown menu for aspect ratio and select "W x H x Resolution." Enter the total dimensions you calculated earlier (e.g., 3240px wide by 1080px high for a 3-slide square carousel). Adjust the crop box to frame your shot perfectly and commit the crop.
3. Select the Slice Tool: Find the Slice Tool in your toolbar. It's usually hiding under the Crop Tool, so just click and hold to reveal it.
4. Divide the Canvas: Right-click anywhere on your image and select "Divide Slice..." from the context menu.
5. Configure the Slices: A dialog box will pop up. Uncheck "Divide Horizontally" and check "Divide Vertically." Enter the number of slides you want in the box next to "slices down an even spacing" (e.g., 3 for a 3-slide panorama). Click OK. You'll now see light blue lines overlaid on your image, showing you exactly where the splits will happen.
6. Export Your Images: Go to File >, Export >, Save for Web (Legacy).... In the Save box, make sure the format is set to JPEG or PNG. Set your quality preferences (80-90 is usually great for JPEGs). Under the "Slices" option at the bottom, make sure "All Slices" is selected. Click "Save..." and choose a folder. Photoshop will automatically export each slice as a separate, sequentially numbered image (e.g., YourFileName_01.jpg, YourFileName_02.jpg).

That's it! Your images are now perfectly split and ready to be uploaded.

Method 2: Using Canva (The Free and Accessible Option)

If you don't have Photoshop, Canva is a fantastic free alternative. This method is a bit more manual, but it gets the job done without costing a thing.

1. Create a Custom Canvas: On the Canva homepage, click "Create a design" and choose "Custom size." Enter the total dimensions for your full panorama (e.g., 3240px width and 1350px height for a 3-slide portrait).
2. Set Up Your Guides: Go to File >, View settings >, Show rulers and guides. Now, drag a vertical guide from the left-hand ruler and place it at the end of where your first slide should be (e.g., at 1080px). If you're doing a 3-slide image, drag another one and place it at 2160px. These blue lines will act as your "cut" marks.
3. Position Your Photo: Upload your panorama and drag it onto the canvas. Resize and position it so it fills the entire space and looks good within your guides.
4. Create and Crop Each Slide: This is the manual part. Click your image and select it. Underneath the "Design" panel to the left, click the "Duplicate page" icon to create as many copies of this setup as you have slides (e.g., three total pages for a 3-slide pano).
   • On the first page, select the image and use the horizontal crop handlers to crop it so only the first section (from the left edge to the first guide) is visible.
   • Go to the second page, and crop the image to show only the middle section (between the first and second guides).
   • On the third page, crop it to show only the final section.
5. Download the Images: Click the "Share" button in the top right, then "Download." Make sure the file type is JPG or PNG. Under "Select pages," choose "All pages" and make sure the box for "Download pages as separate files" is checked. Click "Download." Canva will package your images into a ZIP file for you.

Method 3: Using Mobile Apps (The Quickest Way)

For those who create content entirely on their phones, dedicated panorama-splitting apps are a lifesaver. Most of them work in a very similar way. Search your app store for terms like "panorama crop," "swipeable," or "pano split." Popular options include PanoramaCrop and Swipeable Panorama for Instagram.

The general workflow is incredibly simple:

1. Open the App and Select Your Photo: Grant the app access to your camera roll and choose the panoramic photo you want to use.
2. Choose the Number of Splits: The app will present options to split the image into 2, 3, 4, or more pieces. It will overlay a grid on your photo so you can preview the splits.
3. Adjust and Preview: You can usually pinch and drag to make final adjustments to the framing of your panorama within the grid.
4. Split &, Save: Hit the "Slice," "Split," or "Save" button. The app will process the image and save the individual, consecutively numbered photos directly to your phone's camera roll.

This whole process often takes less than a minute, making it perfect for creating content on the fly.

Best Practices for Posting Your Panorama on Instagram

Creating the images is only half the battle. Presenting them effectively makes all the difference.

• The Order is Everything: When creating a new Instagram post, tap the "Select Multiple" icon. Tap your split images in the correct order (from left to right). Instagram numbers them in the corner so you can double-check before posting. This is the most common place people make a mistake!
• Write an Engaging Caption: Don't just post it and hope people notice. Your caption is the perfect place to prompt discovery. Use phrases like "Swipe to see the whole landscape!" or ask a question that's answered in the final frame.
• Add a Visual Cue: Consider adding a subtle arrow icon or text like "swipe →" right near the split on the first image. Objects that cross from one frame to the next are another great-looking and natural way to encourage people to swipe over to see the rest of the object.
• Check Your Work: Before you hit "Share," tap through the carousel preview one last time to make sure the seams line up perfectly and everything is in the right order.

Final Thoughts

Splitting panoramas might sound technical, but as you've seen, it's a straightforward process that anyone can learn. Whether you use Photoshop for ultimate control or a mobile app for lightning-fast edits, creating swipeable carousels is one of the easiest ways to make your Instagram feed more professional and engaging.

We know how much effort goes into planning and creating compelling content like this, and we believe your tools should make your life easier, not harder. Once you’ve lined up that perfect panoramic set, the last thing you want is for a post to fail or some schedule glitch to throw off your timing. We built Postbase with rock-solid reliability in mind, ensuring that when you hit schedule, your content - whether it's a video, a single image, or an intricate carousel - goes live exactly when it’s supposed to, every time.