---
title: "Instagram Stories and Reels Aspect Ratio? | ImageQuarry"
url: https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/what-aspect-ratio-for-instagram-stories-and-reels/
last_updated: 2026-10-20
---

# What aspect ratio do Instagram Stories and Reels use?

9:16 vertical, full screen. Meta's Ads Guide recommends 1440 x 2560 pixels for image ads in Stories and Reels; 1080 x 1920 is the same shape. Keep text and logos away from the top and bottom, where buttons and captions cover the image.

Meta's guidance for Reels image ads is to leave roughly 14 percent at the top, 35 percent at the bottom and 6 percent on each side clear of text, logos and other key elements, because the interface sits over those areas.

If your image is 4:5 or square, Instagram fills the rest of the screen with a background, so a dedicated 9:16 version looks more deliberate.

To turn a wide or square image into 9:16 you can crop it, which needs room above and below the subject, or extend it with new area at the top and bottom. See [Should I crop or extend an image to change its aspect ratio?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/crop-or-extend-to-change-aspect-ratio/).

_Sources: Meta Ads Guide, image ads in Instagram Reels and Instagram Stories; checked October 20, 2026._

Next step: [Should I crop or extend an image to change its aspect ratio?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/crop-or-extend-to-change-aspect-ratio/)

## Related questions

- [What aspect ratio should I use for Instagram posts?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/what-aspect-ratio-for-instagram-posts/): 4:5 portrait for most feed posts.
- [What aspect ratio does TikTok use?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/what-aspect-ratio-for-tiktok/): 9:16 vertical.
- [What is the difference between 16:9 and 9:16?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/what-is-the-difference-between-16-9-and-9-16/): Same shape, turned: 16:9 is wide, 9:16 is tall.
- [Can AI generate vertical images?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/can-ai-generate-vertical-images/): Yes. Most image models accept a portrait or vertical size.
- [What image aspect ratios do Facebook and Instagram ads use?](https://www.imagequarry.com/faq/what-size-for-facebook-ads/): 4:5 for feeds, 9:16 for Stories and Reels.

Last reviewed 2026-10-20 by ImageQuarry.

## Make the vertical version

Ask for the change you want, then check it against the 9:16 size and the clear zones.