Image Aspect Ratio for Instagram Posts
If you post to Instagram directly via SocialBee (or use our Zapier or Buffer integrations), you may notice that some of your posts are not getting published, despite you having this setup. This might be due to the aspect ratio of your image. Continue reading to learn more about what this is and what size should your image have to be able to get shared successfully.
What's an aspect ratio?
The aspect ratio is the proportion of your image or video (width and height). Both width and height are represented by numbers divided by a colon (like 1:1 - which is a square image).
Depending on the ratio of your image, it can be automatically published or, if it exceeds the admitted ratio, you will get a mobile reminder on your phone, regardless of having Direct Scheduling set up in Buffer. You can read more on how Aspect Ratios are calculated in Buffer's FAQ.
Note: This is not about the pixel size of the image, but rather the proportion of the image.
What is the recommended aspect ratio?
There are a few ratios that are most common, but for the most part, as long as your image's ratio falls within these limits, your image will publish without issues:
- Any square image (aspect ratio 1:1), regardless of whether it's 1200x1200 pixels or 600x600 pixels.
- Portrait images with a ratio between 0.8 and 0.99 (images that have a larger height than width, should be similar to 800x1000 pixels, 1500x1800 pixels)
- Landscape images with a ratio between 1.01 and 1.91 (images where the width is larger than the height, should be similar to 800x600 pixels, 1200 x 800 pixels).
| Type of Instagram Post | Recommended Aspect Ratio | Recommended Image Size | Posting directly or via Reminders |
| Square Image | 1:1 | 1080 x 1080px | Post Directly |
| Landscape Image | 16:9 | 1080 x 608px | via Reminders |
| Wide Landscape Image | 1.91:1 | 1080 x 566px | Post Directly |
| Portrait Image | 4:5 | 1080 x 1350px | Post Directly |
| Instagram Story | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920px | via Reminders |
| Instagram Reel | 9:16 | 1080 x 1920px |
Post Directly |
| Square Video | 1:1 | 1080 x 1080px | Post Directly |
| Landscape Video | 16:9 | 1080 x 608px | via Reminders |
| Wide Landscape Video | 1.91:1 | 1080 x 566px | Post Directly |
| Portrait Video | 4:5 | 1080 x 1350px | Post Directly |
| IGTV Video | 1:1.55 | 420 x 654px | Not Supported |
| IGTV Cover | 1:1.55 | 420 x 654px | Not Supported |
What can I do if my image isn't posted because of this?
If you post directly via SocialBee, the post will be sent as a reminder to our companion mobile app and you can share it from there. You can read more about our companion mobile app in this article.
If you post using our Buffer Integration, you will see the post in your Past Reminders section and in their paired mobile app. You can read more on how to use their mobile app in this article.
If you post using our Zapier integration, you will have to change the aspect ratio of the image. You can do this using our cropping feature. You can read more on how it works in this article.