The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Carousel Sizes in 2025

Instagram carousels are one of the most engaging formats on the platform. They encourage users to swipe, increasing time spent on your post—a key metric for the algorithm. But to make the most of them, you need to get the sizing right.

Why Size Matters

Using the wrong dimensions can lead to your images being cropped awkwardly or appearing pixelated. Instagram compresses images, so starting with high-quality, correctly sized files is crucial.

Recommended Dimensions

• Square (1:1): 1080 x 1080 pixels. The classic format, safe and reliable.
• Portrait (4:5): 1080 x 1350 pixels. This is the best performing size as it takes up more vertical screen space.
• Landscape (1.91:1): 1080 x 566 pixels. Generally avoided as it takes up the least amount of screen space.

Creating Seamless Panoramas

One of the coolest trends is the seamless panoramic carousel, where one image flows into the next. To achieve this, split a wide image into multiple 4:5 or 1:1 segments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Mixing aspect ratios in the same carousel (Instagram will crop them all to the ratio of the first slide).
• Using low-resolution images that become blurry when zoomed.
• Putting text too close to the edges where it might be covered by UI elements.

By sticking to these guidelines, you can ensure your carousels always look professional and engaging. Happy creating!