Instagram Stories — Correct 1080×1920 Size (Free)

The 1080×1920 spec

Instagram's story canvas is 1080×1920. Larger files are downscaled and cost bandwidth; smaller files upload with visible softness. Starting at exactly 1080×1920 is the standard for sharp, edge-to-edge stories.

Resize for stories in seconds

1. Open the Resize Image tool.
2. Drop in your 9:16 artwork or a photo.
3. Set width 1080 and height 1920 (ratio locked).
4. Download as JPG for photos or PNG for graphics/text.

Keep interactive elements and text inside the safe zones — the top and bottom of the screen host the timer, profile and caption areas.

Crop-or-resize first?

If your source is not 9:16, crop to 9:16 with the Crop tool first, then resize to 1080×1920. That keeps the strongest vertical part of the image instead of stretching it.

The safe zone that stories keep eating

Instagram Stories display at 1080x1920, but roughly the top 250 pixels and bottom 310 pixels are covered by the interface: your profile row, the reply bar, and the sticker area. Text placed in those bands is either truncated or sits directly under a finger tapping Reply. Content that must be read belongs in the middle 1080x1330 region - about 65% of the canvas.

Two more constraints shape the export. First, Stories are also cropped to 9:16 exactly, so a 4:3 or 16:9 source must be cropped or padded before upload, never left for the app to decide. Second, the same asset is often reused for Reels covers and Highlights, both of which crop differently - keep key elements centered so one export survives all three placements. Export a JPG around 1080x1920 at 85-90% quality: sharp enough for Retina screens, small enough to upload on mobile data.