Instagram Now Supports 3:4 Aspect Ratio for Photos and Carousel Posts
Instagram now supports 3:4 aspect ratio photos, the native format for most phone cameras. When users upload a 3:4 image, it appears exactly as shot. This applies to single photos and carousels. Users can still share posts in 1:1 and 4:5 formats.
Why It Matters: Creators get more flexibility to display their photos as intended, especially helpful for photographers and photo-first creators. This ratio also takes up more vertical space in the feed, supporting Instagram’s push toward vertical content, including the larger profile grid. Since 3:4 is a common camera ratio, it highlights Instagram’s focus on mobile-optimized content, similar to its recent video editing app launch.
Photos Still Matter: While Reels dominate Instagram, the platform continues to invest in photos by adding new filters, extending carousel lengths, supporting carousels with mixed aspect ratios, making carousels discoverable in the Reels tab, and enhancing creative editing tools. This renewed focus is timely, especially as TikTok also expands its photo capabilities.
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