Want to boost your relationship with your followers? Then Instagram stories are the perfect tool! They are a great way to be a bit more informal with your audience, have some fun, and share some behind-the-scenes of your day-to-day! Since they are almost exclusively shown to just your audience, stories are one of the best ways to build a strong connection with them and let them get to know you better. Our guide takes you through all you need to know to optimize your Instagram stories and Instagram story size to build trust and boost your engagement (and sales!).
Why the Right Size Matters
Thanks to their interactive nature (thank you stickers!), stories make engaging your audience both easy and authentic. Sharing stories regularly that your audience enjoys watching means your content is more likely to get pushed to the top of the feed, making it easier for more people to see your content and increase your engagement! Having the correct size for your Instagram stories ensures that your content is displayed correctly without any unwanted cropping or distortion. This not only helps in maintaining the visual integrity of your posts but also enhances the user experience, making your stories more engaging and effective.
The Standard Instagram Story Size
Story Dimensions
- The optimal size for Instagram stories is 1080 x 1920 pixels (full screen, 9:16 ratio). Creating stories in this size ensures that your content is displayed correctly on users’ screens and won’t be stretched, pixelated, or leave gaps.
- Minimum resolution: 600 x 1067 pixels.
Story Highlights
- Instagram story highlight covers should be 1080 x 1920 pixels to ensure they display correctly.
Story Ads
- Just like regular stories, story ads should also be 1080 x 1920 pixels to ensure they look professional and appealing.
For a comprehensive overview of all Instagram sizes you need to know, check out our 2024 Instagram Size Guide.
How to Post Full-Size Photos on Instagram Story
To post a full-size photo on your Instagram story without it being cropped:
- Open Instagram and swipe right to open the story camera.
- Select your photo from the gallery.
- Pinch the screen with two fingers to zoom out and make the photo fit the screen fully.
- Position the photo as needed.
How to Change Font Size on Instagram Stories
Changing the font size on your Instagram stories is straightforward:
- Create a new story by swiping right on your feed.
- Type your text by selecting the "Aa" icon.
- Use the slider on the left side of the screen to adjust the font size.
- Choose different font styles by tapping on the text until you find the one you like.
How to Make a Video Instagram Story Size
Creating a video for your Instagram story is similar to making any other video but with specific size requirements:
- Record your video in portrait mode to fit the 9:16 aspect ratio.
- Edit your video using apps like InShot or Adobe Premiere Rush to ensure it’s 1080 x 1920 pixels.
- Upload to Instagram as you would a regular story.
Is There a File Size Limit for Instagram Stories?
Yes, there is a file size limit for Instagram stories:
- Photos: Maximum file size is 30MB.
- Videos: Maximum file size is 4GB.
What Format to Upload Music to Instagram Story
When you add music to your Instagram stories, Instagram's music library typically determines the format.
- Use the music sticker to add tracks from Instagram’s library.
- For custom audio, ensure your music is in an MP3 or M4A format and add it during video editing before uploading.
Learn More About Instagram Stories
For a comprehensive guide on using Instagram stories effectively, check out our article on How to Use Instagram Stories in 2024: The Complete Guide.
Sharing stories daily is great, and due to the informal nature of stories, this can be pretty easy to do. But don’t forget to be mindful of your workload and don’t over-commit. You can even use a scheduling tool like rapidely to schedule your stories in advance to take the pressure off. And if you find yourself stuck and lacking inspiration for what to share on your stories, rapidely also gives you tailored ideas in line with your brand voice, strategy, and goals.
Ready to elevate your Instagram game? Try rapidely today and make your content creation process a breeze! 🚀
By optimizing your Instagram story sizes and utilizing tools like rapidely, you'll ensure that your content stands out, engages your audience, and drives your brand's success. Happy posting!
