What Are the Exact Instagram Vertical Video Dimensions?

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As social media continues to evolve, Instagram remains at the forefront, particularly with its emphasis on vertical videos. With the rise of Instagram Stories, Reels, and IGTV, vertical videos have become essential for brands and creators aiming to capture their audience’s attention on mobile devices. Understanding Instagram vertical video dimensions and adhering to the correct Instagram video size is crucial for creating high-quality content that resonates with viewers.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Instagram video sizes, vertical video resolution, and the importance of using the best vertical video editor. We’ll also provide examples of successful brands and offer tips for choosing the right online vertical video editor for your needs.

Why Vertical Videos Dominate Instagram

Instagram videos are primarily consumed on mobile devices, which means the majority of viewers hold their phones vertically while watching content. To maximize visual impact and engagement, it’s crucial to tailor your videos to this format. Portrait videos, or vertical videos, are tall and narrow, typically using a 9:16 aspect ratio, which perfectly aligns with how people naturally hold their smartphones. This design approach allows portrait videos to fill up the entire screen, creating a more immersive viewing experience compared to landscape videos.

When Instagram videos are in a vertical format, they not only look better on mobile devices but also reduce the need for users to rotate their phones. This convenience factor can significantly boost engagement rates, as viewers are more likely to watch and interact with content that is easy to view.

Key Instagram Video Sizes and Dimensions

To ensure your content looks its best on Instagram, it’s important to adhere to the platform’s recommended video sizes and dimensions. Let’s break down the key formats:

Instagram Carousel Video Ads are a powerful tool for increasing engagement and follower growth. These ads allow businesses to present multiple videos or images in a single post, enhancing storytelling and showcasing products effectively. The recommended size for Instagram Carousel Video Ads is 1080 x 1080 pixels with an aspect ratio of 1:1. This unique format provides an excellent opportunity to capture the audience’s attention and convey a more comprehensive message.

Instagram Stories and Reels:

Aspect Ratio: 9:16

Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Duration: Up to 15 seconds for Stories, up to 60 seconds for Reels

File Size: Up to 4GB

Format: MP4 or MOV

Instagram Stories and Reels are all about quick, engaging content that can capture attention in a matter of seconds. When creating Instagram Reels, it’s important to follow best practices such as using the recommended resolution, aspect ratio, file formats, and size limits for optimal viewing and engagement. The 9:16 aspect ratio is perfect for full-screen viewing on mobile devices, making it essential to optimize your content for this format. These Instagram videos are designed to be consumed quickly, so every second counts.

Instagram Feed Videos:

Aspect Ratio: 4:5 (Vertical), 1:1 (Square), 16:9 (Horizontal)

Resolution: 1080 x 1350 pixels (Vertical), 1080 x 1080 pixels (Square)

Duration: Up to 60 seconds

File Size: Up to 4GB

Format: MP4 or MOV

While square videos were once the standard on Instagram, vertical videos with a 4:5 aspect ratio are now increasingly popular. This format offers more screen real estate than square videos, helping your content stand out in the feed. For Instagram videos intended for the feed, using the 4:5 ratio gives you an edge in capturing more viewer attention as it occupies more space in the scroll.

IGTV:

Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (Vertical), 16:9 (Horizontal)

Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (Vertical), 1920 x 1080 pixels (Horizontal)

Duration: 1 to 60 minutes

File Size: Up to 3.6GB

Format: MP4

IGTV is ideal for longer-form content, such as tutorials, interviews, or deep dives into a topic. When you upload videos to IGTV, ensure they meet the technical requirements and limitations related to video resolution, such as 1080 x 1920 pixels for vertical videos and 1920 x 1080 pixels for horizontal videos. The vertical format (9:16) is the most engaging for mobile users, though horizontal videos can also be used depending on the content. Since IGTV supports longer Instagram videos, it’s important to maintain a high standard of quality to keep your audience engaged over an extended period.

The Importance of Vertical Video Resolution

The vertical video resolution you choose has a direct impact on the quality of your Instagram video posts. Higher resolution ensures that your content is sharp, clear, and visually appealing, even on larger screens. For Instagram, the standard resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels for vertical videos is optimal, balancing quality with file size to ensure fast loading times and smooth playback on mobile devices.

However, if you’re creating content for multiple platforms or want to future-proof your videos, consider shooting in 4K resolution (2160 x 3840 pixels). While Instagram may downscale the video, starting with a higher resolution gives you greater flexibility in post-production, allowing for cropping, zooming, and other adjustments without losing quality.

Choosing the Best Vertical Video Editor

Creating compelling vertical videos requires more than just capturing footage—editing is where the magic happens. The right online vertical video editor can help you refine your content, add effects, and optimize it for Instagram’s unique format. Here are some top options:

Canva – Best for Beginners

Canva is a popular choice for those new to video editing. With a wide range of templates specifically designed for Instagram Stories and Reels, it allows users to create professional-looking videos without needing advanced skills. Canva’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to add text, transitions, and animations to your videos.

InShot – Best for Mobile Editing

InShot is an app you can use on your phone to edit videos. It’s good for making tall and narrow videos, like Instagram videos. You can cut, trim, and add effects to your videos using InShot.

Adobe Premiere Rush – Best for Professional Editing

Adobe Premiere Rush is a good app for editing videos. It’s easy to use and has many features. You can start editing in Premiere Rush and then finish it in another app called Premiere Pro. Premiere Rush can make videos look very good and is great for making videos that are tall and narrow.

CapCut – Best for Advanced Mobile Editing

CapCut is a free, mobile-friendly video editor developed by the makers of TikTok, designed to offer powerful editing features right on your smartphone. It supports the 9:16 aspect ratio, making it perfect for Instagram videos. CapCut offers a wide array of tools, including multi-layer editing, keyframe animation, speed controls, and a vast library of effects, filters, and music.

Additionally, CapCut allows you to easily create transitions, add captions, and even use chroma key for green screen effects, making it a versatile tool for both beginners and advanced users. Its user-friendly interface combined with powerful features makes it a popular choice among content creators looking to elevate their vertical video content.

Brands Excelling with Instagram Vertical Videos

Many brands have successfully leveraged vertical videos on Instagram to engage their audience and boost their online presence. Here are a few examples:

Nike

Nike’s use of vertical videos on Instagram is a masterclass in storytelling. Their Reels and Stories often feature athletes in action, highlighting their products in real-world scenarios. By using the 9:16 format, Nike creates dynamic, immersive content that resonates with their audience, driving both engagement and sales.

Sephora

As a beauty brand, Sephora uses Instagram Stories and Reels to showcase makeup tutorials, product launches, and user-generated content. The vertical format allows them to create close-up, detailed visuals that appeal to their audience’s aesthetic preferences.

Red Bull

Known for its high-energy content, Red Bull excels in using vertical videos to share extreme sports clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and event highlights. Their content is perfectly optimized for mobile viewing, ensuring that their audience stays engaged with every post.

Glossier

Glossier, a beauty and skincare brand, has mastered the art of creating Instagram vertical videos that resonate with their audience. Their Instagram Stories and Reels often feature product tutorials, user testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content.

Glossier uses the 9:16 aspect ratio to showcase close-up shots of their products in action, creating an intimate and engaging experience for viewers. The brand’s minimalist aesthetic and focus on user-generated content help build a strong community, making their vertical videos both relatable and visually appealing.

How to Optimize Your Instagram Vertical Videos

To make the most of your Instagram vertical videos, follow these best practices:

Keep It Short and Engaging

Instagram users typically have short attention spans, so make sure your videos are concise and to the point. Use eye-catching visuals and compelling storytelling to capture your audience’s interest within the first few seconds.

Use High-Quality Footage

Always aim for the highest possible vertical video resolution to ensure your content looks professional. Avoid using low-resolution images or videos, as they can appear pixelated and detract from your message.

Incorporate Branding Elements

Consistent use of logos, colors, and fonts helps reinforce your brand identity. Subtle branding can make your videos instantly recognizable, even in a crowded feed.

Add Captions and Text Overlays

Many Instagram users watch videos with the sound off, so adding captions and text overlays can help convey your message effectively. This is particularly important for instructional content or product demonstrations.

Use Relevant Hashtags

Use relevant hashtags to increase your video’s visibility. Stay up-to-date with trending hashtags to reach a wider audience.

Analyze Your Performance

Use Instagram’s analytics to track your video’s performance. Analyze your data to identify what works and what doesn’t.

Experiment with Different Formats

Don’t be afraid to mix things up using Stories, Reels, and IGTV videos. Each format offers unique opportunities for engagement, so explore what works best for your audience.

Outro

Understanding Instagram’s vertical video dimensions and using the right tools can make all the difference in creating content that stands out on the platform. Whether you’re a brand looking to boost engagement or a creator aiming to build your following, mastering the art of vertical video is essential for success on Instagram.

By following these tips and utilizing the right tools, you can create captivating and engaging content that resonates with your audience and helps you achieve your goals on this popular social media platform.

For those who want to elevate their content without spending hours on editing, Vidpros offers the perfect solution. As the best vertical video editor service, Vidpros delivers high-quality, customized video editing that aligns with your brand’s goals. Don’t let video editing be a bottleneck in your content strategy—partner with Vidpros today and watch your Instagram presence soar!

 

About the Author

Mike

Michael Holmes is the founder and CEO of Vidpros, a trailblazer in video marketing solutions. Outside the office, Michael nurtures a growing community of professionals and shares his industry insights on the blog.

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