Best Instagram Post Size in 2026: 1:1 vs 4:5 vs 3:4 Explained
Instagram post sizes have changed a lot over the years.
We went from perfectly curated square feeds (1:1), to 4:5, then to 3:4.
You can still post in all three but what this really means is when you look at your Instagram profile it will crop to 3:4.
So let’s break each one down:
- 1:1 → Square
- 4:5 → Portrait
- 3:4 → Taller portrait format
1:1 (Square Posts)
Size:
1080 x 1080 px
This was the original Instagram format.
Back in the day everything was built around the square grid aesthetic.
Pros:
- clean and symmetrical
• easy to design
• works well for product shots and graphics
Cons:
- takes up less screen space
• less attention grabbing in scroll
• usually lower retention
Because square posts physically take up less room on the screen they’re easier to scroll past.
4:5 (Portrait Posts)
Size:
1080 x 1350 px
This is still a very safe recommended size for Instagram posts.
It takes up more vertical space in the feed which helps stop the scroll.
Which is huge because retention is one of the biggest ranking signals on Instagram in 2026.
The more space your post occupies on screen the longer people naturally spend looking at it.
This is why most:
• carousels
• educational posts
• text-based graphics
• storytelling content
perform best in 4:5.
3:4 (The Newer Format)
Size:
Approximately 1080 x 1440 px
This is the newer, taller format you’re starting to see more creators experiment with.
It takes up even more screen space than 4:5.
People are opting for this because:
- stronger visual impact
• feels more immersive
• maximises mobile screen space
• aligns with how vertical content is evolving
