Instagram Carousel Size Update 2026: New 1080×1440 Format Guide
Instagram has rolled out a significant update that many creators might have missed—carousel posts now support a taller, more engaging format. If you’ve been feeling limited by the traditional square or portrait dimensions, this change is about to transform how you create content on the platform.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Instagram’s new carousel dimensions, why this matters for your content strategy, and the best practices to maximize this update’s potential.
🎯 The Big Update
Instagram carousel posts now support a new dimension: 1080 × 1440 pixels, giving creators significantly more vertical space to work with.
Understanding the New Instagram Post Dimensions
For years, Instagram creators have been constrained to two primary aspect ratios for feed posts. While these served their purpose, they often left creators wanting more space—especially for educational content, infographics, and storytelling carousels.
The Evolution of Instagram Post Sizes
Square Format
The classic Instagram format. Balanced and familiar, but limited vertical space.
Portrait Format
Introduced for more vertical content. Good for single images and basic carousels.
New Tall Format ⭐
The latest addition! Perfect for educational content and detailed storytelling.
The new 1080 × 1440 dimension represents a 33% increase in vertical space compared to the square format and about 7% more space than the traditional portrait format. While this might seem modest, the impact on content creation is substantial.
Why This Update Matters for Content Creators
At first glance, a slightly taller post format might not seem revolutionary. However, this change addresses several pain points that creators have been dealing with for years. Let’s explore the key benefits:
📱 Enhanced Feed Visibility
Taller posts occupy more screen real estate in users’ feeds, making your content harder to scroll past. More vertical space means more immediate visual impact.
📚 Better for Educational Content
Educational carousels and tutorials can now include more information per slide without cramming text into tight spaces. This is a game-changer for info-heavy content.
🎨 Improved Visual Storytelling
More room for text, visuals, and design elements means you can create more compelling narratives without sacrificing readability or aesthetics.
⏸️ Higher Scroll-Stop Rate
The additional vertical space creates a more immersive experience, increasing the likelihood that users will pause and engage with your content.
💡 Perfect for Infographics
Data visualizations, step-by-step guides, and infographics benefit tremendously from the extra space, allowing for clearer, more digestible presentations.
🔄 Versatile Content Options
Whether you’re sharing tips, tutorials, before-and-afters, or product showcases, the taller format adapts to various content types seamlessly.
Comparing the Formats: Which Should You Use?
Understanding when to use each format is crucial for maximizing engagement. Here’s a practical comparison:
| Format | Dimensions | Best Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Square | 1080 × 1080 | Product photos, minimalist designs, quick tips, landscape photos |
| Portrait | 1080 × 1350 | People-focused content, vertical photography, simple announcements |
| Tall (New) | 1080 × 1440 | Educational carousels, infographics, detailed guides, storytelling |
Best Practices for the New 1080×1440 Format
To make the most of this update, follow these essential guidelines that will ensure your content looks professional and performs well:
Maintain Consistent Ratios Across All Slides
Nothing looks more unprofessional than inconsistent sizing in a carousel. If you start with 1080×1440, ensure every slide in your carousel maintains this exact dimension. Mixing ratios creates awkward transitions and a disjointed user experience.
Avoid Placing Text Near Top & Bottom Edges
Instagram’s interface includes profile pictures, usernames, and action buttons that can overlap with your content. Keep critical text and visual elements at least 100-150 pixels away from the top and bottom edges to prevent cropping.
Keep Important Content in the Center Safe Zone
The “safe zone” is the central area of your image where content is guaranteed to be visible regardless of device or aspect ratio changes. Focus your key messages, CTAs, and important visuals in the center 70% of your canvas.
Optimize Text Size and Readability
With more vertical space, resist the urge to cram in more text. Instead, use the extra room to increase font sizes and line spacing, making your content more readable on mobile devices.
Design with Mobile-First Mentality
Remember that most users consume Instagram content on mobile devices. Test your designs on actual phones before publishing to ensure text is legible and visuals are clear.
Test Different Formats
Don’t immediately switch all your content to the new format. A/B test different dimensions to see what resonates best with your specific audience. Some niches may still perform better with traditional formats.
How to Create Content for the New Format
Ready to start creating? Here’s a practical workflow for designing Instagram carousels in the new 1080×1440 format:
Step 1: Set Up Your Design Canvas
Open your preferred design tool (Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Figma, etc.) and create a new project with these specifications:
- Width: 1080 pixels
- Height: 1440 pixels
- Resolution: 72 DPI (for web)
- Color mode: RGB
Step 2: Establish Your Safe Zones
Create guides or margins to define safe zones:
- Top margin: 120-150 pixels (accounts for profile pic and username)
- Bottom margin: 100-130 pixels (accounts for action buttons)
- Side margins: 60-80 pixels on each side
- Center safe zone: The middle 1000×1200 pixel area
Step 3: Design with Hierarchy
With the additional vertical space, create clear visual hierarchy:
- Place headlines in the upper-middle section
- Position body content in the center zone
- Add CTAs or slide numbers in the lower-middle area
- Use whitespace generously—don’t feel obligated to fill every pixel
Step 4: Optimize for Readability
Take advantage of the extra space to improve readability:
- Increase font sizes: minimum 40pt for headlines, 24-28pt for body text
- Use adequate line spacing (1.3-1.5x the font size)
- Limit text per slide to 3-5 concise points
- Ensure high contrast between text and background
Content Ideas Perfect for the Tall Format
Not sure what type of content works best with the new dimensions? Here are content types that particularly shine in the 1080×1440 format:
- Educational Carousels: Step-by-step tutorials, how-to guides, and explainer content benefit from the additional space for detailed information.
- Infographics: Data visualizations and statistical presentations have more room for charts, graphs, and supporting text.
- Quote Graphics: Inspirational quotes with attribution and context can be displayed with better typography and breathing room.
- Before & After: Transformation posts can show more context and detail in both the before and after states.
- List Posts: “Top 10” or checklist-style content can include more items per slide without feeling cramped.
- Testimonials: Customer reviews and case studies have space for longer quotes and additional context.
- Product Features: Detailed product showcases can highlight multiple features with accompanying descriptions.
- Story-Driven Content: Narrative posts can unfold with more room for imagery and text integration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As with any new feature, there are pitfalls to watch out for:
🚫 Don’t Make These Errors
- Inconsistent sizing across carousel slides: Mixing 1080×1440 with other dimensions creates jarring transitions
- Overcrowding the extra space: More room doesn’t mean you should cram in more content
- Ignoring mobile preview: Always check how your design looks on actual mobile devices
- Forgetting about edge safety: Text too close to edges will be obscured by UI elements
- Using low-resolution images: The extra pixels mean you need high-quality source images
Measuring Success with the New Format
As you adopt the new 1080×1440 format, track these metrics to evaluate performance:
- Engagement rate: Compare likes, comments, and saves against your previous formats
- Carousel completion rate: Track how many users swipe through all slides
- Reach and impressions: Monitor whether the taller format increases visibility
- Save rate: Educational content often sees higher saves—track this metric
- Profile visits: Measure if the format drives more curiosity about your brand
Give the new format at least 10-15 posts before drawing conclusions. Different audiences may respond differently, so A/B testing is essential.
Ready to Upgrade Your Instagram Strategy?
The new 1080×1440 carousel format is a powerful tool for creators who want to maximize engagement and deliver more value to their audience. Start experimenting with this format today and watch your content performance soar.
Learn More Instagram TipsFinal Thoughts
Instagram’s quiet update to carousel dimensions represents the platform’s ongoing commitment to empowering creators with better tools for expression. The 1080×1440 format isn’t just about more pixels—it’s about more possibilities.
Whether you’re an educator sharing knowledge, a business showcasing products, or a creator telling stories, this additional vertical space gives you the canvas to create more impactful, engaging content. The key is to use it wisely: maintain consistency, respect safe zones, and always prioritize clarity and readability over cramming in extra information.
Start experimenting with the new format today, apply these best practices, and watch as your Instagram content reaches new heights—literally and figuratively.