Instagram Story Size: Dimensions, Safe Zones, and Export Checks
Plan Instagram Story dimensions, 1080 x 1920 vertical exports, 9:16 ratio, and safe zones for text, logos, stickers, and calls to action.
Last checked: July 8, 2026. Sources: Meta Business Help: Instagram Stories ads, Hootsuite: July 2026 social media image sizes. ImageSizeKit is independent and is not affiliated with Instagram.
Design full-screen, then keep text and calls to action away from Instagram's top and bottom UI zones.
Quick answer
Use 1080 x 1920 pixels for an Instagram Story image. That is a 9:16 vertical canvas, the same practical full-screen format used across Stories-style placements.
Meta's Stories ad guidance recommends a 9:16 vertical format and 1080 x 1920 resolution. For organic story artwork, the same 9:16 production canvas is the safest default.
Keep logos, captions, faces, and calls to action away from the very top and bottom because profile, reply, sticker, and CTA interface elements can cover the creative.
Instagram story size specs
| Field | Value | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended story canvas | 1080 x 1920 px | Practical full-screen 9:16 image size for Instagram Stories. |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 | Vertical phone-first format for full-screen Stories. |
| Safe content area | Center zone | Keep important text and logos away from top and bottom UI areas. |
| Ad guidance reference | 1080 x 1920 px | Meta Business Help recommends this resolution for Instagram Stories ad images. |
Pre-upload checklist
Use this checklist after exporting the image and before publishing it to the platform or website.
- Create a 1080 x 1920 vertical canvas.
- Keep important content in the center area.
- Avoid placing text against the top profile area.
- Avoid placing calls to action too close to the bottom reply area.
- Export a clear JPG or PNG for image stories.
- Check width, height, and ratio before publishing.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Top UI overlap | Profile and status UI cover the headline. | Move headings and logos down into the center safe zone. |
| Bottom UI overlap | Reply, link, or CTA controls cover the message. | Keep calls to action above the bottom control area. |
| Landscape export | The story appears with awkward scaling or side padding. | Re-export as 1080 x 1920 instead of adapting a horizontal image. |
Instagram story size FAQ
What is the Instagram Story size?
Use 1080 x 1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical canvas, for Instagram Story images.
What is the safe zone for Instagram Stories?
Keep important text, logos, faces, and calls to action in the center of the 9:16 canvas, away from the top profile area and bottom reply or CTA controls.
Is Instagram Story size the same as Reel size?
The practical full-screen canvas is the same 1080 x 1920 9:16 format, but Story UI and Reel/profile crops can cover or crop content differently.
Can I use a square image in an Instagram Story?
You can place a square image inside a Story, but the full Story canvas is vertical. Use a 1080 x 1920 background when you want a clean full-screen result.
Related image tools
Social Media Image Sizes
Browse Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Open Graph, Etsy, and Shopify image size guides.
Open ->Instagram Post Size
Prepare square, portrait, and landscape feed posts.
Open ->Instagram Reel Cover Size
Plan Reel covers and grid crops.
Open ->Aspect Ratio Calculator
Calculate 9:16 export sizes before editing.
Open ->Sources and update history
July 8, 2026: Added as a P0 Instagram vertical image page using Meta Stories guidance and current social image size references.