Best GIF Size for Instagram (Feed, Story, Reel)
Instagram surfaces have different aspect ratios and file-size sweet spots. Use this cheat sheet to pick the right GIF dimensions before you export from InstaGIF Maker.
Open the GIF makerRecommended dimensions
Match your GIF resolution to where it will be posted to avoid cropping and quality loss.
- Feed square — 1:1 — 1080×1080
- Feed portrait — 4:5 — 1080×1350
- Story / Reel — 9:16 — 1080×1920
- Landscape — 16:9 — 1080×608
File size targets
Stay under ~8 MB for smooth playback in Stories and DMs. For Reels uploaded as video, larger files are fine because Instagram re-encodes them.
Length and frame rate
Cap GIFs at 15 seconds for Stories. Frame rates of 12–18 fps look smooth without exploding file size — GIF only supports 256 colors per frame, so higher fps adds weight fast.
Quality preset cheat sheet
Use High quality for short 2–4 second loops, Medium for everyday clips up to 8 seconds, and Low for 10–15 second moments where size matters more than detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best aspect ratio for Instagram GIFs?
1:1 for Feed, 9:16 for Stories and Reels, 4:5 for portrait Feed posts.
What is the maximum GIF size for Instagram?
Aim for under 8 MB so Stories and DMs play smoothly on slow networks.
Should I use 720p or 1080p?
1080p for short loops, 720p when you need to keep a long clip under 8 MB.