Instagram is a fantastic platform for sharing videos. However, after you post a video on Instagram, it may lose its quality and look blurry or pixelated. This is because the video may not be optimized for Instagram in terms of aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate, and export settings.

Luckily, with the information in this article, you can learn how to upload videos in the best format for each section of Instagram (Reels, Stories, Posts, etc.).

Importance of Optimizing Instagram Video Resolution

The higher the resolution of a video, the more detail it contains and the better quality the video is.

For example, a video of resolution 1920 x 1080 contains more detail and quality than a video of resolution 1280 x 720.

Also, Instagram processes and compresses all uploaded videos. Compressing a large file allows Instagram to reduce the file size of the video and quicken the load time. Poor video resolution and compression may result in a video losing its quality.

If the resolution of your video is high, the compressed file may still be of good quality.

Resolutions of Different Instagram Video Formats

Each format of Instagram has different dimensions. Using the correct dimensions lets your video fit and fills the space of the format.

This is the most simple yet reliable way of making your video Instagram ready.

Some popular Instagram video specs:

Instagram Format	Recommended Resolution	Aspect Ratio
Instagram Reels	1080 x 1920 pixels	9:16
Instagram Stories	1080 x 1920 pixels	9:16
Portrait Feed Video	1080 x 1350 pixels	4:5
Square Feed Video	1080 x 1080 pixels	1:1
Landscape Feed Video	1080 x 608 pixels	1.91:1

1080 x 1920 pixels is a safe choice for most vertical Instagram videos.

The resolution for Instagram Reels is 1080 x 1920 pixels and the aspect ratio is 9:16.

It is recommended to film in this ratio to capture the best quality, since most phones can vertical video with a high degree of quality.

It’s also best to avoid placing pertinent info near the edges. This is to avoid obstruction from interface elements that Instagram may place over your post.

The 9:16 ratio is also used for Instagram Stories.

For the best quality when exporting your Story, use these settings:

1080 px (W) x 1920 px (H)

Stories will only be visible for a short amount of time, so it’s important to get your message clear and concise. The best way to do this is to ensure your content is high quality and legible.

When creating Stories in a separate video editing application, make sure your project settings are set to 1080 x 1920, to avoid having to crop your video later.

The highest quality Instagram Feed videos should be exported at this resolution:

1080 x 1920 (pixels)

Because there are several different aspect ratios to choose from when exporting a video for the feed, consider the following when deciding on which to use.

Portrait videos, for example, should be exported at this resolution:

1080 (width) x 1350 (height)

Square videos should be exported like this:

1080 (width and height)

When exporting a video for the Feed using the Landscape aspect ratio, consider this size:

1080 (width) x 608 (height)

An aspect ratio of 9:16 means that your video will be 9 units wide and 16 units tall. An example would be 1080×1920 pixels. Videos with this aspect ratio are best for portrait, or vertical, videos.

Sometimes, an aspect ratio is fixed and unable to change, like when square videos are posted to Instagram. Other times, the video can be edited to change the aspect ratio. Changing the aspect ratio of a video can waste or distort parts of the video.

Make your final edit to your video in the format of the site you are going to post it on.

The frame rate is how many pictures or frames will be played per second. The more frames per second, the smoother the video will be. Some good frame rates would be 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. Instagram suggests using 30 FPS. Using a frame rate higher than 30 FPS would be necessary if there were a lot of quick moving subjects in the video. Usually, a frame rate can be kept the same as the frame rate of the video it is being edited from.

You will probably have the best quality when sharing your video in the format of 1080p with an mp4 file type. The frame rate of the video should be 30 frames per second, and the video codec should be H.264. When using AAC audio, your video should be ready to share. The video should be edited to have the same aspect ratio as Instagram. The video should not be edited to have a larger resolution. Details cannot be added to a video if they are not originally captured.

You should not share videos that have been shared and compressed multiple times, as a lot of the quality can be lost.

For example, you may use one social platform to share video content, edit the video on another, and finally post the edited video on Instagram. Each time you upload and download a video, some portion of quality may be lost.

A better way to do this is to keep the original copy of your video. Edit that video and upload the final version to Instagram.

You should notice an improvement if you follow this tip.

Record Better Video Content

Before editing, you can also improve Instagram video quality by improving the original video content.

For example, your phone may be able to record in high resolution. Clean your phone’s camera lens, and try to record in well-lit conditions to reduce image noise. Using excessive digital zoom can also increase image noise and reduce picture sharpness.

Improve Video Uploads

You can also configure the Instagram app to upload videos in high resolution. Depending on your app and account settings, this may be found in the settings under uploading at the highest quality.

Keep in mind this setting may also vary with app updates.

Common Instagram Video Issues

Unsharp Videos

There are many potential causes for unsharp videos. This includes poorly captured video content, insufficient video editing, excessive video compression, low-light conditions, or incorrect export settings.

To begin, analyze your source content. Determine the resolution of the video and other settings used when the content was captured and/or exported.

Video Cropping

Crop your video only if it does not conform to Instagram’s aspect ratio.

Using a video with an aspect ratio of 16:9 in a 9:16 project, for example, may force you to leave a lot of empty space, or crop a lot.

Select your project’s canvas size as per your desired output’s aspect ratio before editing your video.

Pixelation

Additional samples may be enlarged and/or compressed, resulting in pixelation.

Work with the highest quality version of your subject.

Final Tips

Keep these in mind before posting your next video on Instagram:

• Reels and Stories should be in the size of 1920 x 1080.
• Vertical videos for the feed should be in the size of 1350 x 1080.
• Square videos should be in the size of 1080 x 1080.
• Maintain aspect ratio of your videos.
• Don’t place important elements at the edge of your videos.
• Use the frame rate of your original video.

USER RESOURCE INPUT FORMAT: H.264, MP4

USERS SHOULD:

• Start with the best quality version of the video.
• Avoid multiple transcodes on the same video.
• Use Instagram’s high quality upload setting.

END OF USER RESOURCE INPUT

FINAL THOUGHTS

The best video resolution for Instagram is what best fits your needs given the different formats available.

1080 x 1920 pixels is already an excellent starting point for most vertical videos. Portrait and square formats for feed videos are best decided upon based on your preferences.

The combination of 1080 x 1920 pixels, a frame rate of 30 fps, an aspect ratio of 9:16 and good source and export settings can help you upload sharp and attractive videos on Instagram. It’s then that you can dedicate most of your time to post interesting stuff and least of your time to manage post production.