The Practical Guide to Instagram Carousel Size for Sharper Posts

Getting the instagram carousel size right is the difference between a sharp, professional sequence and a blurry stack of posts that users swipe past. The platform allows plenty of flexibility, but not every ratio or resolution performs equally well on modern phones.

This guide breaks down the exact sizes, aspect ratios, and export settings that work best, plus workflow tips for designers, marketers, and creators who need reliable results at scale.

Core Instagram Carousel Size Specs

Instagram supports three main aspect ratios for carousel images and videos:

Square: 1:1
Portrait (vertical): 4:5
Landscape (horizontal): 1.91:1

For sharp results on current devices, the recommended pixel sizes are:

Square: 1080 × 1080 px
Portrait: 1080 × 1350 px
Landscape: 1080 × 566 px (or 1080 × 608 px for 1.78:1, which also works)

Instagram compresses uploads, but starting with 1080 px width keeps details crisp without creating oversized files.

Example: A brand that posts product explainers can design a 10-slide portrait carousel at 1080 × 1350 px for every frame. Each slide keeps text above 200 px from the top and bottom, so captions and UI elements never cover key content.

Why consistent aspect ratio matters

Every image or video inside a carousel is forced into a single aspect ratio when posted. If the first slide is vertical 4:5 and the next slide is a wide landscape, Instagram will crop or add borders so they match.

To avoid awkward cropping:

Choose one ratio per carousel.
Design all slides at the same pixel dimensions.

Example: A tutorial series uses a square cover slide and a few portrait slides by mistake. When uploaded, the portrait slides get auto-cropped at the top and bottom, cutting off step numbers. Rebuilding the set as all-square fixes the issue and keeps the sequence clean.

Best Aspect Ratios for Different Goals

Not every ratio performs the same in the feed. The right instagram carousel size depends on where attention comes from and what the content needs to show.

Portrait (4:5) for maximum screen space

Portrait 4:5 carousels typically dominate the feed because they occupy more vertical space without being cut off. This extra real estate gives more room for text, diagrams, and product shots.

Recommended size: 1080 × 1350 px

Use portrait when:

Sharing educational slides with charts, arrows, and annotations.
Highlighting vertical product shots, such as fashion or interior design.
Telling a visual story that benefits from tall, immersive frames.

Example: A SaaS company posts a breakdown of a new feature. Each slide uses a 3-column layout at 1080 × 1350 px with a headline, short explanation, and UI screenshot. The vertical format gives enough room for readable 18–20 px body text without feeling cramped.

Square (1:1) for grid consistency

Square carousels remain a safe and flexible choice. They look balanced in the profile grid and work well when content is repurposed from platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter.

Recommended size: 1080 × 1080 px

Use square when:

Maintaining a strict grid aesthetic on the profile page.
Repurposing existing square assets or templates.
Posting visual quotes, simple graphics, or product tiles.

Example: A design studio builds a weekly “before/after” series. Each carousel uses 5 square slides at 1080 × 1080 px: cover, problem, process, result, and a final CTA. The square format keeps the profile grid tidy while still allowing detailed visuals.

Landscape for cinematic or wide content

Landscape carousels are less common but still useful when the source material is naturally wide, such as film stills, dashboards, or group photos.

Recommended size:

1080 × 566 px for 1.91:1
1080 × 608 px for 16:9 (close enough and widely supported)

Use landscape when:

Sharing wide charts or dashboards where vertical crops hide details.
Posting cinematic frames or horizontal photography.
Highlighting website layouts or desktop UIs.

Example: A data analytics company shares a sequence of dashboard views. Each slide is a 1080 × 608 px export from the product UI, annotated with callouts. The wide format keeps the charts legible without shrinking them into a tall, narrow frame.

Safe Zones, Text Size, and Layout Tips

Getting the instagram carousel size right is only half the job. The layout inside each frame determines whether users can read and understand the content without pinching or zooming.

Safe zones for critical content

Instagram overlays several interface elements on top of your carousel:

Username and profile picture at the top
Like, comment, and share icons at the bottom
Pagination dots near the bottom
The caption area below the image

To protect key content, keep important text and graphics inside a central safe zone.

A practical rule:

Keep all essential content at least 160–200 px away from the top and bottom edges.
Leave 80–120 px padding on the left and right for breathing room.

Example: A carousel explaining an onboarding flow uses a 1080 × 1350 px canvas. The designer defines a central working area of 840 × 990 px and keeps all main text, icons, and arrows inside it. Decorative background shapes can extend beyond this zone without risk.

Text size and contrast

Many users view carousels on small screens and do not zoom. Text that looks fine on a 27‑inch monitor can turn into a blur on a phone.

Reliable guidelines:

Headline text: Equivalent of 40–60 px at 1080 px width.
Body text: Equivalent of 24–32 px at 1080 px width.
Buttons or labels: At least 26–30 px with strong contrast.

Additionally:

Use a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 between text and background.
Avoid long paragraphs. Break into 1–3 short lines per block.

Example: A marketing carousel that originally used 18 px body text gets complaints about readability. The team rebuilds the template with 28 px text and slightly wider line spacing. Saves are tracked, and completion rates on later slides increase because users can skim without straining.

Image margins and bleed

To prevent a cramped look:

Use consistent outer margins (for example, 60–80 px on all sides).
Align elements to a simple grid: 2 or 3 columns with equal gutters.

Example: A fitness coach uses a 3-column layout for workout steps. Each slide keeps a 72 px margin around the edges, with 40 px gutters between columns. The result feels structured and easy to follow, even on small devices.

Export Settings and File Formats

Even when the instagram carousel size is correct, poor export settings can cause blur, banding, or artifacts. A few technical decisions make a noticeable difference.

Recommended export settings for images

Format: JPEG (for photos and gradients) or PNG (for flat graphics with text)
Color space: sRGB
Resolution: 72–150 ppi (ppi does not affect on-screen size but keeps files manageable)
Width: 1080 px (height based on chosen ratio)
Quality: 80–90% for JPEG

Example: A photographer exports portrait carousels at 2048 px wide and 100% JPEG quality. Instagram compresses them heavily, causing unexpected banding in skies. After switching to 1080 px wide at 85% quality in sRGB, the platform applies less aggressive compression and the images look cleaner.

Workflow Tips for Consistent Carousels

Scaling carousel production demands a repeatable workflow. Templates, naming conventions, and preview steps help teams avoid last‑minute fixes.

Build and reuse master templates

Create master files for each aspect ratio:

1080 × 1080 px (square)
1080 × 1350 px (portrait)
1080 × 566 or 608 px (landscape)

Each master template should include:

Safe zone guides (for example, using guides or shapes)
Text styles for headings, subheads, and body copy
Layer groups for background, content, and overlays

Example: A content team at an agency stores three Figma templates in a shared project. Each template has predefined text styles and safe-zone frames. Designers duplicate the correct template for each campaign, which keeps type size, spacing, and instagram carousel size consistent across clients.

Use slide-by-slide storyboarding

Before designing, outline the story across slides:

Hook or problem
Context
Main idea or solution
Steps or breakdown
Proof or example
Summary or CTA

This structure keeps each slide focused and prevents overcrowding.

Example: A cybersecurity company plans a carousel about phishing emails. The storyboard assigns one clear idea per slide, with a maximum of 3 bullets or 4 short lines of text per frame. When the design phase starts, the team only needs to focus on layout and visuals because the narrative is already locked.

Test on actual devices

Desktop previews can be deceptive. Always check final exports on a phone before posting.

Steps that help:

Export the full set of images or videos at the final instagram carousel size.
Airdrop, email, or cloud-sync them to a test phone.
Open them in the phone’s gallery and simulate swiping.
Check readability, margins, and any cropped edges.

Example: A finance brand tests a carousel with dense tables on a mid‑range Android device. The team realizes the numbers are too small. They simplify the tables, increase font sizes, and re-export. The test run prevents a live post that would have driven users away.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Carousel Size

What is the best instagram carousel size for most brands?

For most use cases, portrait 4:5 at 1080 × 1350 px performs best. It occupies more vertical space in the feed, gives extra room for text and visuals, and still looks clean on profile grids.

Can different sizes be mixed in one carousel?

No. Instagram standardizes all slides in a carousel to a single aspect ratio. If different sizes are uploaded, the platform crops or pads them to match the first slide. To maintain control over the layout, keep every slide at the same ratio and resolution.

Why do my carousels look blurry even when the size is correct?

Blur usually comes from heavy compression or incorrect color settings, not just from size. Export at 1080 px width, use sRGB, and keep JPEG quality around 80–90%. Avoid uploading oversized images like 4000 px wide, because Instagram will downscale and compress them more aggressively.

Are PNG or JPEG better for carousel images?

For photos, gradients, or complex artwork, JPEG at high quality typically works best. For flat graphics with sharp text, icons, or line art, PNG can preserve edges more cleanly. Always compare a quick test export on a phone to see which looks sharper while keeping file size reasonable.

Does resolution in ppi matter for carousels?

Ppi (or dpi) does not affect how large an image appears on Instagram. The platform cares about pixel dimensions, not print resolution. A 1080 × 1350 px image at 72 ppi and the same image at 300 ppi will display the same on mobile. Focus on correct width, height, and export quality instead.

Dialing in the right instagram carousel size, safe zones, and export settings turns each sequence into a polished, swipe‑worthy experience. Once templates and workflows are in place, teams can produce consistent carousels faster, with fewer surprises when the post goes live.

The Practical Guide to Instagram Carousel Size for Sharper Posts

The Practical Guide to Instagram Carousel Size for Sharper Posts