Table of Contents

Understanding Instagram’s Aspect Ratios and Their Impact

When you’re looking to crop for Instagram post, understanding the platform’s preferred aspect ratios is your first step to creating visually appealing content. Instagram has evolved beyond its initial square-only format, offering more flexibility, but knowing the optimal dimensions ensures your photos and videos look their best and don’t get cut off.

The Classic Square: 1:1 Aspect Ratio

The 1:1 aspect ratio, a perfect square, was Instagram’s original and iconic format.

It’s still widely used and excellent for maintaining visual symmetry.

Dimensions: For a high-quality square image, aim for 1080px by 1080px.
Pros: This ratio is inherently balanced and works well for showcasing subjects that fit neatly within a square frame. It ensures your entire image is visible without scrolling, making it ideal for profile grids.
Cons: It can limit your creative scope if your subject doesn’t naturally fit a square, potentially requiring significant crop for IG post that removes crucial elements.
Usage Data: While not as dominant as before, square posts still make up a significant portion, around 20-25% of all image posts, particularly for product shots and aesthetically curated feeds.

The Dominant Portrait: 4:5 Aspect Ratio

The 4:5 portrait ratio is often considered the best crop for Instagram post for maximizing visibility. It takes up the most vertical space on a user’s mobile screen, which means more eyes on your content. Check hashtags for instagram

Dimensions: Optimal dimensions are 1080px by 1350px.
Pros: This ratio allows for more vertical content, which is fantastic for showcasing full-body shots, tall structures, or intricate details without excessive cropping. It commands more attention in the feed, as users spend more time scrolling past it.

The Broader Landscape: 1.91:1 Aspect Ratio

Dimensions: A good standard is 1080px by 566px.
Pros: Ideal for panoramic views, group shots, or scenes that naturally extend horizontally. It’s often used when maintaining the original wide aspect of a photograph is crucial.

How to Crop Images for Instagram Posts

Mastering how to crop for Instagram post is a fundamental skill for any content creator. Whether you’re using built-in phone tools, Instagram’s editor, or professional software, the goal is to optimize your image for the platform’s unique display nuances.

Using Instagram’s Built-in Cropping Tool

Instagram provides a straightforward cropping tool directly within the app, making it easy to adjust your image before posting.

Steps:
1. Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon to create a new post.
2. Select your desired photo from your gallery. Best trending hashtags instagram
3. Tap the small “expand” icon two arrows pointing diagonally outwards in the bottom-left corner of the image preview.
4. Pinch to zoom or drag the image to adjust its position within the selected frame.
5. Tap “Next” to proceed with filters and captions.
Limitations: While convenient, Instagram’s tool offers basic cropping. You can select one of the three primary aspect ratios, but you don’t have the granular control over custom dimensions or precise pixel adjustments that external apps offer. For specific needs like no crop for Instagram post with borders, you’ll need other solutions.

Cropping with Smartphone Editing Apps

For more control over your crop for ig post, your phone’s native photo editor or third-party apps like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or PicsArt are excellent choices. Copy hashtags for instagram post

Key Features:
- Preset Ratios: Most apps offer direct presets for 1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1, and sometimes custom options.
- Free Transform: Allows you to crop to any custom size, though this might not always be ideal for Instagram’s fixed ratios.
- Perspective Correction: Useful for straightening skewed images, which can impact how well an image fits a ratio.
- Adding Borders: Some apps allow you to add white or colored borders to achieve a no crop for Instagram post effect, preventing parts of your image from being cut off by fitting it into a standard ratio.
Workflow Example using a typical photo editor:
1. Open your image in the editing app.
2. Navigate to the “Crop” or “Transform” tool.
3. Select the desired aspect ratio e.g., 4:5 for a portrait-oriented post.
4. Adjust the image within the new crop box, ensuring the main subject is well-framed.
5. Save the edited image to your camera roll. Best use of hashtags on instagram

Advanced Cropping with Desktop Software

For professional photographers and designers, desktop software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom Classic provides the ultimate control over image cropping and optimization.

Precision and Quality: These tools offer pixel-level precision, allowing you to crop images to exact dimensions e.g., 1080px x 1350px while maintaining the highest possible quality.
Batch Processing: Ideal for managing multiple images, you can apply the same crop settings to an entire batch, saving significant time.
Content-Aware Fill Photoshop: This advanced feature can intelligently fill in missing parts of an image after cropping, especially useful when adjusting aspect ratios to fit Instagram’s requirements without losing crucial elements.
Workflow:
1. Open your image in Photoshop or Lightroom.
2. Select the Crop tool C in Photoshop.
3. In the options bar, set the aspect ratio e.g., 4:5 or enter custom dimensions.
4. Drag the crop handles to frame your image perfectly. Best video aspect ratio for instagram
5. Export the image, ensuring the resolution is optimized for web e.g., 72 DPI and dimensions are within Instagram’s recommended range e.g., 1080px on the longest side.

Cropping Videos for Instagram Posts

Just like images, videos benefit immensely from proper cropping and aspect ratio consideration on Instagram. The principles are similar to images, but crop video for Instagram post often involves additional steps due to dynamic content.

Instagram’s Video Cropping Limitations

While Instagram allows you to trim the length of a video and select a cover frame, its in-app cropping for aspect ratio is less versatile than for photos.

Automatic Cropping: When you upload a video, Instagram attempts to fit it into one of its accepted aspect ratios 1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1. If your video’s original aspect ratio doesn’t match, it might automatically crop video for Instagram post by cutting off edges or adding black bars letterboxing/pillarboxing to fit the frame.
No Custom Ratios: You cannot manually set a custom aspect ratio within Instagram for videos. This means preparing your video beforehand is crucial for control.

Best Practices for Video Aspect Ratios

To ensure your videos look professional and maximize screen real estate, pre-cropping to optimal dimensions is key.

4:5 Portrait 1080x1350px: This is generally the best crop for Instagram post when it comes to videos. It fills the most vertical space, captivating viewers scrolling through their feed. Ideal for vlogs, interviews, or content where a single subject is central.
1:1 Square 1080x1080px: Still a strong contender for videos, especially for short, punchy content or product demos where a square frame works well. It’s safe and ensures universal visibility.

Tools for Video Cropping and Editing

For precise crop video for Instagram post, you’ll need external video editing software or mobile apps. Best tool for instagram hashtags

Mobile Apps:
- InShot: User-friendly and powerful, InShot allows you to easily crop videos to specific Instagram ratios 1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1 and add background colors if you want a “no crop” effect.
- CapCut: Another popular free option offering comprehensive editing, including aspect ratio adjustments, trimming, and effects.
- Adobe Premiere Rush: A cross-platform tool for quick edits, including cropping and resizing for social media.
Desktop Software:
- Adobe Premiere Pro: Industry-standard professional video editing software. You can create custom sequences with specific Instagram dimensions e.g., 1080×1350 and then scale or position your footage within that frame.
- DaVinci Resolve Free Version Available: A powerful free alternative for professional-grade video editing, color grading, and aspect ratio adjustments.
- Final Cut Pro Mac: A robust option for Mac users, offering intuitive tools for precise video cropping and export settings.
Workflow Example using a video editor:
1. Import your video footage.
2. Create a new sequence/project and set the dimensions to your desired Instagram ratio e.g., 1080×1350 for 4:5 portrait.
3. Drag your video clip into the sequence.
4. Scale and position the video within the frame. You might need to crop video for Instagram post by adjusting the clip’s position, or if necessary, zoom in to fill the frame which will cut off edges.
5. Export the video with H.264 compression for optimal Instagram upload. Best ratio for instagram post

The “No Crop” Effect for Instagram Posts

Sometimes, you want to share an image or video without losing any part of its original composition, even if it doesn’t fit Instagram’s standard aspect ratios. This is where the “no crop for Instagram post” technique comes in handy.

What is the “No Crop” Effect?

The “no crop” effect involves adding borders to your image or video so that it fits within Instagram’s allowed aspect ratios typically 1:1 square without actually cropping any part of the original content.

This means if you have a wide panoramic photo, instead of cropping it down to a square and losing the sides, you add white or colored bars to the top and bottom to make it a square.

Similarly, for a tall portrait, you’d add bars to the sides.

When to Use “No Crop”

Maintaining Aspect Ratio: If you have a series of photos from a professional shoot, all with a unique aspect ratio, and you want to maintain consistency without forcing a crop.
Artistic Choice: Sometimes, the added borders are a stylistic choice, creating a clean, framed look.

How to Achieve the “No Crop” Effect

You cannot achieve a true “no crop” effect directly within the Instagram app. You’ll need to use external editing tools. Best picture resolution for instagram

For Images:
- Mobile Apps: Apps like InShot, Square Fit, PicsArt, or Snapseed are excellent for this.
  1. Open your image in the app.
  2. Look for a “Fit” or “Canvas” option.
  3. Select the target aspect ratio e.g., 1:1 for a square Instagram post.
  4. The app will automatically add borders usually white, but often customizable to other colors to fit your image into the selected ratio.
  5. Save the image. Best likes hashtags for instagram
- Desktop Software Photoshop:
  1. Open your image in Photoshop.
  2. Go to Image > Canvas Size.
  3. Change the “Relative” checkbox if needed.
  4. Enter the target dimensions for a square e.g., if your image is 2000px wide and 1000px tall, set the height to 2000px to make it square.
  5. Choose the canvas extension color e.g., white. Best hashtags to use instagram
  6. Click OK.

Your image will now have added canvas space to fit the new ratio.

For Videos:
- Mobile Apps InShot, CapCut:
  1. Import your video into the app.
  2. Go to the “Canvas” or “Ratio” setting.
  3. Select the desired Instagram ratio e.g., 1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1. Best ig tags to get followers
  4. The app will automatically add letterboxing top/bottom bars or pillarboxing side bars to fit your original video into the new frame.

You can often customize the background color of these bars.
5. Export the video.
* Desktop Software Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve:

    1.  Create a new sequence with your desired Instagram dimensions e.g., 1080x1080 for square, 1080x1350 for 4:5 portrait.


    2.  Import your original video footage into the sequence.
    3.  If your video's original aspect ratio doesn't fill the frame, you'll see black bars. You can then add a colored background layer *behind* your video to fill these black bars, effectively creating the "no crop" look.

Optimizing Content with Smart Cropping and Composition

Smart cropping goes beyond simply fitting an image into a required aspect ratio. it’s about enhancing your visual storytelling and guiding the viewer’s eye. This is where you leverage the power of best crop for Instagram post for maximum impact.

Rule of Thirds in Cropping

The Rule of Thirds is a fundamental composition guideline that helps you create more balanced and engaging images.

Concept: Imagine dividing your image into nine equal sections by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. The theory suggests that placing subjects or points of interest along these lines or at their intersections creates a more natural and visually appealing composition than simply centering the subject.
Application in Cropping:
- When you crop for Instagram post, try to align your main subject with one of the intersecting points.
- For portraits, position the eyes along the upper horizontal line.
Benefits: Studies in visual perception have shown that images adhering to the Rule of Thirds are often perceived as more dynamic and interesting, leading to increased viewer retention and engagement. It helps your audience intuitively focus on the most important parts of your image.

Leading Lines and Framing

These compositional techniques can significantly enhance your crop for ig post, making it more impactful. Best ig tags for followers

Leading Lines: Use natural lines within your image roads, fences, rivers, architecture to draw the viewer’s eye towards your main subject. When cropping, ensure these lines effectively lead the eye, rather than cutting them off awkwardly.
Framing: Use elements within your scene doorways, windows, trees, arches to create a natural “frame” around your subject. Cropping should enhance this framing, not disrupt it, ensuring your subject remains the focal point.
Impact: These techniques create depth and direct the viewer’s gaze, making your image more immersive and visually arresting.

Focus on the Subject

Always keep your primary subject in mind when cropping.

Eliminate Distractions: Cropping allows you to remove distracting elements from the edges of your frame that don’t contribute to your main message. This declutters your image and makes your subject stand out.
Emphasize Emotion/Detail: For portraits, cropping can allow you to move in closer to capture emotion or specific details. For products, it can highlight unique features.
Storytelling: Consider what story your image is telling. Does your crop for Instagram post enhance that narrative, or does it detract from it? A tighter crop can often create more intimacy or drama. For example, if you’re showcasing a new prayer mat, a tight crop focusing on its intricate pattern will be more effective than a wide shot showing the entire room.

High-Resolution Input and Export

To ensure the highest quality Instagram posts, always start with high-resolution source material and export correctly.

Input: Use original, high-resolution photos and videos. Downscaling a large file is always better than upscaling a small one.
Instagram’s Compression: Instagram compresses uploaded content to save space and ensure fast loading. While you can’t prevent this, you can minimize quality loss by uploading images that are already optimized.
Recommended Export Settings:
- Images:
  - Width: 1080 pixels Instagram will display images up to 1080px wide.
  - Height: Varies by aspect ratio 1080px for 1:1, 1350px for 4:5, 566px for 1.91:1.
  - File Format: JPEG .jpg is preferred for images.
  - Quality: High 80-90% JPEG quality to balance file size and visual integrity.
- Videos:
  - Resolution: 1080p Full HD is generally sufficient.
  - Frame Rate: 30 frames per second fps.
  - Bitrate: 3.5 Mbps for videos VBR, 1-pass for optimal balance between quality and file size.
  - Codec: H.264.
  - File Format: MP4 .mp4.
Why it Matters: Uploading properly sized and compressed files helps Instagram process your content efficiently, reducing the likelihood of excessive re-compression that can lead to pixelation or blurriness. Your content will look sharper and more professional, reflecting well on your brand or personal profile.

Troubleshooting Common Instagram Cropping Issues

Even with the best intentions, you might encounter issues when you crop for Instagram post. Knowing how to troubleshoot these common problems can save you frustration and ensure your content looks exactly as intended.

Image Appears Blurry or Pixelated

This is a frequent complaint and usually stems from incorrect resolution or excessive compression.

Cause:
- Uploading Low-Resolution Images: If your original image is too small, Instagram has to “upscale” it, leading to blurriness.
- Excessive Compression during Export: If you save your image or video with too low a quality setting from your editing software.
- Instagram’s Compression: While unavoidable, poor original quality exacerbates Instagram’s compression.
Solution:
- Optimize Export Settings: When exporting from editing software, ensure the image is 1080px on its longest side, and use a high-quality JPEG setting e.g., 80-90%. For videos, use H.264 codec, 1080p resolution, and a reasonable bitrate e.g., 3.5 Mbps for standard videos.
- Avoid Zooming Too Much: If you zoom excessively within Instagram’s crop tool on a low-res image, it will appear pixelated.

Parts of the Image are Cut Off

This happens when your image’s aspect ratio doesn’t match Instagram’s preferred ratios, and you haven’t adjusted it properly.
* Incorrect Aspect Ratio: You uploaded a very wide or very tall image without pre-cropping or using the “no crop” technique.
* Pre-Crop: Before uploading, use an external editor to crop your image to 1:1, 4:5, or 1.91:1. This is the best crop for Instagram post to ensure no unwanted cuts.
* Use the “Expand” Icon: When uploading, always check the expand icon in the bottom-left of the preview to ensure the desired aspect ratio is selected.
* Implement “No Crop”: If preserving the full image is crucial, add borders using a third-party app to fit it into a standard Instagram ratio. Best hashtags for selling on instagram

“Can You Crop Instagram Photos” After Posting?

This is a common question, and unfortunately, the direct answer is mostly no for feed posts.

Cause: Instagram’s design philosophy prioritizes content integrity once published.
- Delete and Re-post: The most straightforward and often only way to “crop Instagram post after posting” is to delete the existing post and re-upload the correctly cropped version. Be aware this means losing any engagement likes, comments on the original post.
- Archive and Re-post: If you want to keep the content private for a while but then re-upload, you can archive the original, crop the image externally, and then make a new post.
- Utilize Instagram Stories/Reels: For more flexible cropping after content is created, Instagram Stories and Reels offer more editing freedom, including basic cropping and resizing options on the fly. However, this is for different content formats.
- Preventive Measures: The best solution is to get your crop for Instagram post right before hitting “Share.” Double-check your images and videos in an external editor or Instagram’s preview before finalizing.

Optimizing for Carousels and Reels

While single image posts have their own cropping rules, Instagram’s other popular content formats like Carousels and Reels have specific considerations for crop for Instagram post that can significantly impact their performance.

Carousel Posts: Consistency is Key

Carousel posts, which allow you to share up to 10 photos and/or videos in a single swipeable post, are a powerful storytelling tool.

Aspect Ratio Consistency: The most crucial rule for carousels is that all images and videos within a single carousel must share the same aspect ratio. If your first image is a square 1:1, all subsequent images will be forced into a square format, often resulting in awkward automatic cropping for others.
Best Practice for Carousels:
- Pre-crop All Content: Use an external editor to pre-crop every single image and video in your carousel to that chosen aspect ratio. This ensures a seamless and visually appealing swiping experience.
- Storytelling Flow: Consider how each cropped image or video flows into the next. A consistent ratio helps maintain visual continuity, which is vital for narrative carousels.
Impact: Consistent cropping in carousels enhances the user experience, encourages more swipes, and can lead to higher engagement rates. Inconsistent ratios can lead to frustrating experiences for viewers as content shifts or gets cut off unexpectedly.

Instagram Reels: Vertical Video Dominance

Reels are Instagram’s short-form video format, designed for vertical, full-screen mobile viewing.

Aspect Ratio: The optimal aspect ratio for Reels is 9:16 vertical. This is the standard for smartphone full-screen videos and covers the entire screen when viewed vertically.
Dimensions: Aim for 1080px wide by 1920px tall.
“Safe Zones” for Text/Elements: Even though 9:16 is the full screen, be mindful of “safe zones” where text and important visual elements won’t be covered by UI elements like the username, caption, or like button. Keep crucial information slightly inwards from the edges.
Crop Video for Instagram Post Reels:
- Shoot Vertically: The easiest way to optimize for Reels is to shoot your original video footage vertically portrait mode on your phone.
- Edit in Vertical Sequence: Use video editing apps like InShot, CapCut, or even TikTok’s editor or desktop software Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve to create a 9:16 sequence.
- Adapt Horizontal Footage: If you have horizontal 16:9 footage, you can:
  - Zoom In: Zoom in on your horizontal footage to fill the 9:16 vertical frame this will crop out the sides.
  - Add Background/Blur: Add a blurred version of your video or a solid color background behind your horizontal video to fill the vertical space this is similar to the “no crop” effect.
Why 9:16 is Crucial: Reels are meant to be immersive, full-screen experiences. Using a 9:16 aspect ratio ensures your content fills the screen, provides a superior viewing experience, and maximizes engagement in the competitive Reels feed. Videos that don’t fill the screen e.g., 16:9 horizontal videos with black bars often get less attention.

Future Trends in Instagram Cropping and Content Formats

The Rise of Vertical Video

The dominance of vertical video is undeniable, driven by the success of platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Best hashtags for online business

Impact on Cropping: This trend reinforces the importance of the 9:16 aspect ratio. While traditional feed posts still support horizontal and square, the push for vertical content means that creators should prioritize shooting and editing in this format, even if it means intelligently cropping existing horizontal footage to fit.
User Expectation: Users are increasingly accustomed to full-screen, immersive vertical experiences. Content that doesn’t fill the screen might feel less native or engaging.

Interactive Elements and Visual Overlays

Instagram is continually adding interactive stickers, polls, quizzes, and text overlays to stories and reels.

Cropping Implications: When you crop for Instagram post or create vertical content, you need to consider where these interactive elements will sit. Leave adequate “breathing room” in your composition so that text, stickers, or calls to action aren’t obscured or cramped.
“Safe Zones”: Design your visuals with top and bottom “safe zones” in mind, especially for Reels, to ensure crucial information isn’t covered by the Instagram UI username, caption, likes, etc.. Tools often have guides for this.

AI-Powered Cropping and Editing

Artificial intelligence is making its way into photo and video editing, offering new possibilities for automated and intelligent cropping.

Smart Cropping: AI can analyze an image or video to identify the main subject and automatically suggest the best crop for Instagram post while maintaining compositional balance e.g., adhering to the Rule of Thirds.
Content-Aware Fill Advanced: More sophisticated AI tools might be able to intelligently expand backgrounds or fill in missing areas when changing aspect ratios, reducing the need for traditional “no crop” borders or aggressive zooming.
Accessibility: AI can also help with automatic captioning and transcription for videos, making content more accessible, which is an important consideration in content creation.

The Blurring Lines Between Formats

Instagram is increasingly integrating its various content formats.

Feeds now heavily feature Reels, and Stories are more discoverable.

Adaptive Content: This means content creators need to think about how their visuals will adapt across different formats. An image that looks great in a 4:5 feed post might need to be repurposed or re-cropped for a 9:16 Story or Reel.
Multi-Platform Optimization: While Instagram is the focus, thinking about how content translates to other platforms TikTok, YouTube Shorts, etc. further emphasizes the need for flexible and adaptable cropping strategies.
Focus on Core Message: Regardless of the format, the underlying principle remains: your crop for ig post should always serve to highlight your core message and subject effectively, engaging your audience wherever they encounter your content.

The future of Instagram content will likely emphasize seamless, high-quality visual experiences.

By staying informed on cropping best practices, leveraging smart tools, and adapting to new features, content creators can ensure their visual stories always resonate with their audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best crop for Instagram post?

What is the best crop for Instagram Reels?

The best crop for Instagram Reels is a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio, with dimensions of 1080px wide by 1920px tall, to fill the entire mobile screen for an immersive experience.

Can you crop an Instagram post after posting?

No, you cannot directly crop an Instagram post after it has been published.

To change the crop, you would need to delete the existing post and re-upload the image or video with the desired cropping.

How do I crop a photo for Instagram post?

To crop a photo for an Instagram post, you can use Instagram’s built-in editor by tapping the expand icon two arrows to switch between 1:1, 4:5, or 1.91:1 ratios, or use external photo editing apps like Snapseed or Photoshop for more precise control.

What is the ideal crop ratio for Instagram post?

How do I get no crop for Instagram post?

To achieve a “no crop for Instagram post” effect, you need to use an external editing app like InShot, Square Fit, or PicsArt to add borders usually white or colored to your image or video, making it fit one of Instagram’s standard aspect ratios typically 1:1 square without actually cutting off any parts of your original content.

What crop is best for ig post?

The 4:5 portrait crop 1080×1350 pixels is generally considered the best crop for IG post to maximize visibility and engagement because it takes up the most vertical space in a user’s feed.

How do I crop video for Instagram post?

To crop video for Instagram post, use a video editing app like InShot, CapCut, or desktop software like Adobe Premiere Pro.

Set your project/sequence to the desired Instagram aspect ratio e.g., 1:1, 4:5, or 9:16 for Reels and then scale or position your video within that frame, often resulting in some parts being cropped out or borders being added.

Can you adjust crop on Instagram after posting?

No, once an Instagram post is live, you cannot adjust its crop.

Any changes require deleting the post and re-uploading a new version.

What are the optimal dimensions for a 1:1 Instagram post?

The optimal dimensions for a 1:1 square Instagram post are 1080 pixels by 1080 pixels.

What are the optimal dimensions for a 4:5 Instagram portrait post?

The optimal dimensions for a 4:5 Instagram portrait post are 1080 pixels wide by 1350 pixels tall.

What are the optimal dimensions for a 1.91:1 Instagram landscape post?

How do I make my Instagram photo fit without cropping?

To make your Instagram photo fit without cropping, use a third-party app to add white or colored borders around your image, effectively making it fit into a standard Instagram aspect ratio like 1:1 square while preserving the entire original image.

Why does Instagram crop my photos automatically?

Instagram crops your photos automatically if their original aspect ratio doesn’t match one of the platform’s supported ratios 1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1. It tries to fit the image into a standard frame, often by cutting off edges, unless you manually select the desired ratio or use an external “no crop” tool.

What resolution should I use when exporting for Instagram?

When exporting for Instagram, aim for a width of 1080 pixels for images and a resolution of 1080p for videos.

This ensures the best quality while adhering to Instagram’s display limits.

Does cropping affect Instagram quality?

Cropping itself does not inherently reduce quality, but if you crop a small section of a low-resolution image and then zoom in, it can appear pixelated.

Starting with high-resolution originals and exporting at Instagram’s recommended dimensions helps maintain quality.

Should all images in an Instagram carousel have the same crop?

Yes, all images and videos within a single Instagram carousel post must have the same crop or aspect ratio. If they don’t, Instagram will automatically force them into the aspect ratio of the first image, leading to inconsistent and potentially awkward cropping.

Is it better to post portrait or landscape photos on Instagram?

Generally, it is better to post portrait photos 4:5 ratio on Instagram’s feed.

Can I change a photo’s aspect ratio on Instagram?

What is the difference between cropping and resizing for Instagram?

Cropping changes the aspect ratio and removes parts of an image or video, altering its composition. Resizing changes the overall dimensions e.g., making an image smaller or larger in pixels without altering its aspect ratio or composition. For Instagram, you often do both: crop to the correct ratio, then resize to the optimal pixel dimensions e.g., 1080px wide.

Crop for instagram post