How to Resize a Video for Instagram (Feed, Story, IGTV, Reels, Ads)

  1. Download and launch Movavi Video Converter.

  2. Add files to the program.

  3. Resize a video for Instagram, choose the output format.

  4. Convert your videos.

Edited by Ben Jacklin
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In this guide, we show you how to resize a video for Instagram whether you are looking to use a video to use as an ad, or just on your feed. We’ve explained how you can resize video for Instagram Stories or for other types of video accepted by the social media platform, to ensure your viewers can enjoy a high-quality, HD video. Depending on how the video was shot, you might not need to resize or convert it for Instagram, but for the best effects in Insta Reels, ads, and other video types, it makes sense to find a way to rotate or crop the video to fit.

Using Movavi Video Converter, it’s easy to resize and reformat a clip. Read on to learn how to resize for Instagram in a matter of seconds, no matter what sort of file you are working with.

Resize a video for Instagram in 5 steps with Movavi

Movavi Video Converter can help you resize videos for an Instagram Story, feed, IGTV, Reels, or ads. Using this powerful yet user-friendly Instagram video resizer, you’ll be able to not only convert your videos into the most appropriate format but also crop and rotate them. Download Movavi Video Converter for PC or Mac and read the guide below to learn how to make the necessary edits to prepare your Instagram video.

Step 1. Install Movavi Video Converter

Launch the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install the Instagram video converter. Double-click the desktop icon to launch the converter.

Step 2. Add a file to the program

To add a video, open the import menu by clicking Add Media, choose Add Video, and browse your system’s folders to find the video you want to work with. Remember that you can convert a GIF to a video for Instagram as well. To do this, click Add Media, choose Add Image, and browse for the animation file on your hard drive. Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop your media file directly to the program interface.

Step 3. Edit your video

Below you’ll find the instructions on how to make a video for your Instagram feed. If you want to make a Story or an IGTV video, skip to the next guide.

Making a video for an Instagram feed

Step 3.1. Edit a video for your Instagram feed

To make your video square with an aspect ratio of 1:1, you need to crop it. Click the Edit button, located to the right of the video you’re working on, to open the editing tools.

Go to the Crop tab and in the preset list, choose 1:1. Change the size of the area selector by dragging its edges and move the frame to the desired place on the preview. Make sure that the width of the selected area is equal to its height (for example, 720 × 720). When you’re done, click Apply and Save and Close.

Making a Story or an IGTV video

Step 3.1. Create a Story or an IGTV video

If you want to publish your video as a Story or IGTV video, you will need to change the ratio to 9:16. There are two ways of doing this, depending on how you want your video to look.

Crop your video

When you try to upload a 16:9 video as a Story or IGTV video, Instagram crops it by default but only to the center of the video, so you won’t be able to move the focus to any elements on the left or the right side of the video. In this case, you can crop it manually. To do this, click the Edit button.

Go to the Crop tab and choose the 16:9 preset. Move the area selector to the position you want to crop, then click Apply and Save and Close.

Rotate your video

If you don’t want to crop your video because you want your friends to see the full view, you need to rotate the video. When you rotate a 16:9 video, it changes the aspect ratio to 9:16, but now you will have to flip your phone to the landscape mode to watch it. In the Edit window, go to the Crop tab and choose Rotate clockwise. Click Apply and Save and Close to go to the next step.

Step 4. Change the output format

Instagram is a mobile app, which means it works better with the video formats used in smartphones and tablets. So if your video is saved in MOV, AVI, or MKV, you’ll need to convert it to a more accessible format like MP4. To do this, go to the Video tab, choose the MP4 group of presets and select the MP4 H.264 - Original Size preset. If your original file was in Full HD or even 4K quality, it shouldn’t be a problem as Instagram works well with such files. However, the app does compress all files by default, so there’s unfortunately no way to upload your video without losing quality.

Step 5. Convert your Instagram video

When all the editing is done and the format has been chosen, specify the export settings by clicking the Save to button. Now click the Convert button to save the final result. When the conversion is complete, the folder containing your file will open automatically. Now all that’s left to do is to transfer your video to your device and upload it directly to your Instagram account.

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5 Instagram video types – specifications

There are five main types of video for posting on Instagram. You can use video on the feed, Story, IGTV, Reels, Ads, so a video resizer for Instagram needs to be able to handle the specs of all of these different pictures. The frame size is different for each and an editor can convert your videos to fit.

  • Feed. Feed videos can be 3 seconds to 60 seconds long and they are some of the most flexible in terms of size. Portrait or landscape videos can be used between 1.91:1 and 4:5 ratio.

  • Story. Instagram Story posts can be up to 15 seconds at a frame ratio of 9:16. If you exceed the max length then Instagram will split the big video into small videos of 15 seconds.

  • IGTV. IGTV videos can be up to 10 minutes in length. Different supported sizes include 1920 × 1080p, 1080 × 1350p (in the Instagram feed), 1080 × 1080p (on the profile grid.) You can also post large videos from your computer.

  • Reels. Reels are exclusively 9:16 aspect ratio. They can be up to 60 seconds long. The video orientation is vertical.

  • Ads. A minimum video length for ads is 1 second and maximum is 120 seconds. The Instagram feed ad is 1080 × 1080 pixels. The Instagram Story ad size is 1080 × 1920 pixels at a 16:09 ratio. The video orientation can be vertical, horizontal, or square.

Aspect ratios are key to whether the frame looks more like a rectangle or a square. Instagram accepts different ratios for their feeds, so you can use any of the compatible images or videos. You can see the change made to the post by comparing the different aspect ratios. You may have to resize a video for Instagram, meaning you shrink or crop your video to fit the screen.

Instagram video requirements (comparison table)

In the tables below, you’ll find the requirements for different types of IG videos. Learn the correct resolution, sizing, normal width and height, frame rate, and if a cover or a thumbnail is needed.

Specs for in-feed, IGTV, and Stories

Specs

In-feed

IGTV

Stories

Aspect ratio

Between 1.91:1 and 4:5

16:9, 9:16, or square

9:16

Video length

3-60 seconds

Up to 10 minutes

Up to 15 seconds

Video size

Up to 15 MB

650 MB (mobile uploads), 3.6 GB (web uploads)

N/a

Specs for Reels and ads

Specs

Reels

Ads

Aspect ratio

9:16

16:9, 9:16, or square

Video length

Up to 60 seconds

1-120 seconds

Video size

N/a

Up to 4GB

Summary

Instagram doesn’t have an inbuilt tool for changing things like the aspect ratio and size of a video. Knowing how to resize a video for Instagram means that you will always have a professional end result, and that you won’t accidentally crop out important parts of the video. Getting the right aspect ratio, and high-quality video in a 30FPS format means that your videos will always look fantastic on the platform, which is especially important when it comes to adverts and running a professional brand.

Frequently asked questions

▶️ What video formats does Instagram support?

▶️ Which video format is best for Instagram?

▶️ How do I convert a video for Instagram?

▶️ What aspect ratio is best for Instagram?

▶️ What are the dimensions of an Instagram post?

▶️ How long can Instagram videos be?

▶️ How do you post a long video on Instagram?

▶️ How do you post a GIF on Instagram?

▶️ How do I resize a photo for Instagram?

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