Best Image format for Instagram – all image types covered!

Below we will go through the most common questions related to Instagram format for images.

So png or jpg for Instagram?

The best image format for Instagram is .JPG as it can support high resolutions while also being a smaller file size. The second best image format for Instagram is .PNG. It can support high resolutions but at the trade off of a larger file size.

• Preferred Format for Instagram: JPG, JPEG
• Instagram Other Supported Formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, non-animated GIF
• Aspect Ratios: 1:1 (Square), 4:5 (Instagram now supports non square images such as Portrait) through to 1.91:1 , 16:9 for Instagram Story
• Images Resolutions: Min. 150×150, Max resolution: 1920×1080
• Not allowed: animated GIF files

Does Instagram change the quality of your image upload?

It is not a conspiracy theory but more common knowledge and more often than not, if you use Instagram’s preferred image formats, file sizes and resolutions then the app will have no need to change the quality of your uploaded image or video.

Instagram will only change the quality of your image if you step outside these boundaries.

This happens when you try to upload a massive file size or too large a photo, then its algorithm will do its trick and change the quality of your image.

This is to ensure your content can be viewed by the majority of Instagram’s users and keep within their image quality guidelines.

According to Instagram in their own guidelines “When you share a photo on Instagram, regardless of whether you’re using Instagram for iOS or Android, we make sure to upload it at the best quality resolution possible (up to a width of 1080 pixels). 

When you share a photo that has a width between 320 and 1080 pixels, we keep that photo at its original resolution as long as the photo’s aspect ratio is between 1.91:1 and 4:5 (a height between 566 and 1350 pixels with a width of 1080 pixels).

If the aspect ratio of your photo isn’t supported, it will be cropped to fit a supported ratio. If you share a photo at a lower resolution, we enlarge it to a width of 320 pixels.

If you share a photo at a higher resolution, we size it down to a width of 1080 pixels.

If you want to make sure that your photo is shared with a width of 1080 pixels:

• Download the most recent version of the Instagram app.
• Upload a photo with a width of at least 1080 pixels with an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5.
• Make sure you’re using a phone with a high-quality camera as different phones have cameras of varying qualities.”

Ensure your photo is 1080 pixel wide and up to 1350 pixels tall. Instagram will reduce any larger photos when you post.

Can you upload RAW (.nef) file format to Instagram?

Though I have never tried myself, my research tells me that the raw files from a DSLR will need to be exported using a third party app or tool, to the pixels to suit the image size you desire:

• Square Image: 1080px width by 1080px height
• Vertical Image: 1080px width by 1350px height
• Horizontal Image: 1080px width by 608px height

If you try to export them to anything higher then they are cropped and the Instagram algorithm will start compressing the files.

Don’t forget the Quality Settings on Instagram

Check the quality settings on the Instagram app and ensure that you are saving photos as original photo and your quality settings are not downgrading them.

Now that you know what the best image format for Instagram is, try re-uploading any images you have using these supported formats.

Now that we have covered the best image format for Instagram covered, let’s take a look at the best video formats supported by Instagram.

Joseph Colella

Joseph Colella (Joe Colella) is an Editor and Writer at WastedTalentInc. As a frustrated artist with over 40 years experience making art (who moonlights as a certified Business Analyst with over 20 years of experience in tech). While Joseph holds a Diploma in Information Technology, in true wasted talent fashion he spent years applying for various Art degrees; from the Accademia di Belle Arti (Napoli), to failing to get into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) at the University of Western Sydney. While he jokes about his failures at gaining formal art qualifications, as a self-taught artist he has had a fruitful career in business, technology and the arts. His goal is to attend the Julian Ashton School of Art at The Rocks Sydney when he retires from full time work. Joseph’s art has been sold to private collectors all over the world from the USA, Europe and Australasia. He is a trusted source for reliable art advice and tutorials to copyright/fair use advice and is committed to helping his readers make informed decisions about making them a better artist.
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