Resize Photos for Instagram

Resizing images for Instagram is crucial to ensure that your photos are displayed correctly and look their best on the platform. Instagram has specific dimensions for various types of posts, including square, portrait, landscape, and stories. Adhering to these standards not only helps maintain the quality and aesthetics of your images but also enhances their visual appeal and engagement potential.

This tutorial will guide you through the steps of resizing images for Instagram using Adobe Photoshop, Apple Photos on iOS, and the Photos app on Android. By following these instructions, you can ensure your images are perfectly tailored to Instagram's requirements, providing a seamless and professional appearance on your profile.

Instagram Image Size Guidelines

Here are the recommended dimensions for various types of Instagram posts:

1. Square Post: 1080 x 1080 pixels
2. Portrait Post: 1080 x 1350 pixels
3. Landscape Post: 1080 x 566 pixels
4. Instagram Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Resizing Images Using Adobe Photoshop

1. Open Your Image:

   • Launch Adobe Photoshop and open the image you want to resize by going to File > Open.
     
     

2. Resize the Image:

   • Go to Image > Image Size.
   • In the dialog box, set the width and height to the desired dimensions (e.g., 1080 x 1080 pixels for a square post).
   • Ensure the resolution is set to 72 pixels/inch for web images.
   • Click OK.
     
     

3. Adjust the Canvas Size (if needed):

   • Go to Image > Canvas Size.
   • Adjust the canvas size to fit your image into a specific aspect ratio without stretching it. This is useful if you need to add background space around the image.
     
     

4. Save Your Image:

   • Go to File > Save As and choose the format you prefer (JPEG is recommended for Instagram).
   • Make sure to optimise the quality for web use.

Resizing Images Using Apple Photos on iOS

1. Open Your Image:

   • Open the Photos app and select the image you want to resize.
     
     

2. Edit the Image:

   • Tap Edit at the top right corner.
     
     

3. Crop the Image:

   • Tap the crop icon at the bottom.
   • Select the aspect ratio icon (a square with arrows around it) to choose a preset ratio.
   • Choose Square for a 1:1 ratio, or use the Custom option to manually set dimensions close to Instagram's requirements.
   • Adjust the crop box to include the desired portion of the image.
   • Tap Done to apply the crop.
     
     

4. Save the Image:

   • The edited image will automatically save over the original, but you can choose to duplicate it first by tapping Share > Duplicate if you want to keep the original unchanged.

Resizing Images Using the Photos App on Android

1. Open Your Image:

   • Open the Photos app and select the image you want to resize.
     
     

2. Edit the Image:

   • Tap the Edit icon (usually a pencil or three sliders icon).
     
     

3. Crop the Image:

   • Tap the crop icon (a square with corners).
   • Tap the aspect ratio icon and choose a preset ratio, such as 1:1 for a square post.
   • Alternatively, tap Free to manually adjust the crop box to fit Instagram’s dimensions (1080 x 1080, 1080 x 1350, etc.).
   • Adjust the crop box to include the desired portion of the image.
   • Tap Done to apply the crop.
     
     

4. Save the Image:

   • Tap Save or Save copy to save the edited image.

Tips for Better Results

• Maintain Aspect Ratio: Always maintain the aspect ratio to avoid distorting the image.
• Cropping: Sometimes, cropping can help fit your image into the desired dimensions without losing important parts of the photo.
• Quality: Ensure that the image quality is optimised for web use to avoid excessive file sizes.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your images are perfectly resized for Instagram, maintaining their quality and appeal.