You post a photo and Instagram cuts off a head, a word or half the view. That happens when the photo's shape does not match the format you post it in. The fix is to resize or crop it to the right size before you upload.
The two sizes most people need
| Where it goes | Size | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Square feed post | 1080 x 1080 px | 1:1 |
| Story, Reels cover, WhatsApp status | 1080 x 1920 px | 9:16 |
Both are one click in the free Resize Image tool, under the social media presets. The same presets cover a YouTube thumbnail, a Facebook cover, an X banner and a LinkedIn banner.
Resize for Instagram in three steps
- Open the Resize Image tool and upload your photo.
- Choose Social and pick Instagram Post or Story / Reels.
- Download, then post it from your phone.
Resize, crop or add a border?
Changing a photo's shape means something has to give:
- Crop when you can lose the edges. Use the Crop tool to choose exactly which part stays, such as a 4:5 portrait for a taller feed post.
- Add a border when nothing can be cut, like a group photo or a wide landscape. The Border and Framing tool pads the photo to the new shape.
- Make a collage to fit several wide photos into one square; see our photo collage guide.
Tips for sharper Instagram photos
- Start with the largest version of the photo you have, not a screenshot.
- Keep text and faces away from the very top and bottom of a story, where the app's buttons sit.
- If a photo looks soft after upload, try Sharpen Image before you post.
Want a photo that is already the right shape? Download Trendy AI Lab: most of its AI portraits come out in a 9:16 phone shape, ready for stories, free with rewarded ads.
Coming soon
