Instagram Story
Full-screen vertical content for Stories and Reels. Stories disappear after 24 hours, creating urgency and engagement.
Instagram Stories are viewed by over 500 million users daily, making them a powerful tool for engagement and conversions. Unlike feed posts, Stories create urgency (disappearing after 24 hours) and encourage more authentic, in-the-moment content. The full-screen vertical format (9:16) commands complete attention, but it requires careful planning to avoid UI interference from Instagram's interface elements.
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Technical Requirements
| Minimum Dimensions | 360 x 640 px |
|---|---|
| Recommended Size | 1080 x 1920 px |
| Aspect Ratio | 0.5625:1 |
| Max File Size | 30 MB |
| File Type | jpeg, png |
| Background | No strict requirement |
Visual Guidelines
Do's
- Use 1080x1920px for full-screen quality
- Keep text and logos in center safe zones
- Leave 250px padding from top and bottom
- Use large, bold text for readability
- Design for vertical scrolling
- Use bright colors to capture attention
- Include call-to-action (swipe up, link)
- Test on both iOS and Android devices
Don'ts
- Don't place important content near top/bottom edges
- Avoid small text that's hard to read on mobile
- Don't use horizontal images (will be cropped)
- Avoid placing logos in profile picture area
- Don't exceed 1080px width or 1920px height
- Avoid dark images that blend with UI
- Don't forget the UI overlay (profile, reply, etc.)
Best Practices
- 1Respect the Safe Zones: Instagram's UI covers the top 15% (profile picture, close button) and bottom 15% (reply bar, swipe-up) of the screen. Keep all critical content in the center 70%.
- 2Use Large, Bold Text: Stories are viewed on mobile screens. Use text sizes of at least 44px for headlines and 32px for body text. Ensure high contrast for readability.
- 3Design for Thumb Zone: Place call-to-action buttons and links in the bottom third of the screen (but above the reply bar area) where they're easily reachable with one hand.
- 4Test on Real Devices: Preview your Stories on both iPhone and Android to ensure text remains readable and important elements aren't cropped by different screen sizes.
- 5Use Vertical Flow: Guide the viewer's eye from top to bottom. Start with a hook at the top, provide value in the middle, and end with a CTA near the bottom.
- 6Leverage Full Screen: Use the entire 1080x1920px canvas. Empty space is wasted real estate in Stories. Fill the frame with your content while maintaining visual breathing room.
- 7Include Clear CTAs: Stories are interactive. Include directional cues like 'Swipe Up' (for eligible accounts), 'Tap to Learn More', or 'DM for Info' to drive engagement.
Common Issues
Text is cut off or covered
You're placing content too close to the top or bottom edges. Keep all text and logos at least 250px from the edges, centered vertically in the safe zone.
Images appear pixelated or blurry
Upload images at exactly 1080x1920px. Larger images will be downscaled and compressed by Instagram, losing quality. Ensure export quality is 80-100%.
Story has white bars on sides
You're using the wrong aspect ratio. Ensure your image is exactly 9:16 (1080x1920px). Horizontal or square images will be letterboxed with white space.
Colors look different after upload
Instagram uses sRGB color profile. Export your images using sRGB. Slightly increase saturation (5-10%) to compensate for Instagram's compression.
Logo covered by profile picture
Don't place logos in the top-center area where your profile picture appears. Position logos in the top-left or top-right corners, or center them in the safe zone.
Low completion rates (viewers tap away)
Your opening frame isn't compelling enough. Use a strong hook in the first 2 seconds, ensure text is instantly readable, and keep content concise and engaging.
Related Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What's the ideal size for Instagram Stories?
The optimal size is 1080x1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio). This ensures your content fills the entire screen on all devices without cropping or quality loss.
Q.What is the safe zone for Instagram Stories?
Keep all important content (text, logos, products) at least 250px from the top and bottom edges. This area is blocked by Instagram's UI elements (profile picture, reply bar, etc.). The center 85% is safe.
Q.Why does my Story look cropped?
You're likely not using the 9:16 aspect ratio. Instagram Stories require vertical images. Horizontal or square images will be cropped or have white bars. Always use 1080x1920px.
Q.Can I use images smaller than 1080px wide?
Yes, but they may appear pixelated on high-resolution screens. The minimum is 360x640px, but for professional quality, always use the recommended 1080x1920px.
Q.Where should I place text in Stories?
Place text in the center 60% of the screen, avoiding the top 15% and bottom 15%. This ensures it's not covered by profile pictures, reply bars, or swipe-up indicators.
Q.How long can an Instagram Story image be displayed?
Each Story image displays for 5 seconds by default. Viewers can tap to skip or pause. For longer content, use multiple images or video instead.