The editor above starts at 1080 × 1080 (1:1). Switch to the Instagram story / reel 9:16 canvas for stories and reels. The 4:5 feed ratio is covered in the tips.
How to use it in 3 steps
Pick the placement
Use square for a feed post, or 9:16 (1080 × 1920) for a story or reel. Set a custom size if you want 4:5, such as 1080 × 1350.
Write a short line and choose a style
Keep the line to a few words. Pick a style and a color that holds up on a phone.
Export as MP4 for upload
Instagram accepts video, so MP4 is the usual choice. Use GIF only where a GIF is required.
Three tuning tips
Keep text out of the top and bottom edges
On stories and reels, the app draws its own interface over the video. Meta documents the 9:16 ratio but, in the pages I could read, does not state a pixel safe zone, so leave generous margins at the top and bottom rather than trusting a number. Test on your phone.
Keep the loop short
A 3-second loop is enough for a line of text. Short loops also keep the file small. A search excerpt of Meta's reels page mentions a 30 fps minimum, so for a reel consider 30 fps rather than 24.
Pick the format for the placement
Upload MP4 for feed, stories, and reels. GIF is for places that need a GIF. WebM is not the usual choice for Instagram uploads.
Sizes, frames, and file weight for Instagram
A 3-second loop at 24 fps is N = round(3 × 24) = 72 frames. For a 1080 × 1080 square, the raw size is 72 × 4,665,600 = about 335.9 MB, and the default MP4 bitrate is 2,799,360 bits per second, so 3 seconds is about 1.05 MB. All sizes use decimal MB (1 MB = 1,000,000 bytes).
| Canvas | 1080 × 1080 px (1,166,400 pixels per frame) |
|---|---|
| Frames | N = 3 s × 24 fps = 72 |
| Raw frames before encoding | 72 × 1080 × 1080 × 4 bytes = 336 MB |
| MP4 / WebM upper estimate | 2.8 Mbps × 3 s ÷ 8 = 1.0 MB |
| GIF frame delay | 1/24 s is 4.17 centiseconds; GIF stores whole centiseconds, so delays alternate (4 and 5 cs) to average out |
Official sizes: Instagram's Help Center page 'Reel size & aspect ratios on Instagram' says a reel can have an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 9:16, with a minimum resolution of 720 pixels. Meta's ads guide for Instagram video lists a 9:16 ratio at 1080 × 1920, and for the feed lists 4:5, but the same page also shows 1080 × 1920 beside 4:5, which conflict, so this site does not claim a single feed pixel size. The 1080 × 1920 story / reel canvas here is a 9:16 frame at the size Meta shows. Meta does not state a safe-zone pixel inset in the pages I could read. The Instagram Help Center pages are script-rendered and were read through search excerpts, accessed 2026-11-12.
A vertical 1080 × 1920 loop is 2,073,600 pixels, 8,294,400 bytes per raw frame. At 30 fps for 3 seconds that is 90 frames, about 746.5 MB raw. The default bitrate is 6,220,800 bits per second, so the video estimate is about 2.33 MB.
Sources
- Instagram Help Center: Reel size & aspect ratios on Instagram (accessed 2026-11-12)
- Meta Ads Guide: Instagram Feed video specs (accessed 2026-11-12)
Common mistakes
Putting key text at the very top or bottom of a story
The app's controls and captions cover those areas. Keep the main words near the center.
Uploading a GIF where video is accepted
MP4 is smaller and plays smoother. Use GIF only when a GIF is required.
Making a 9:16 loop at 30 fps for 6 seconds as a GIF
That is 180 frames of 1080 × 1920. Export MP4 instead.
Assuming one size fits feed and stories
A square fits feed. A 9:16 vertical fits stories and reels. Export each separately.
Frequently asked questions
What size should animated text be for Instagram?
For stories and reels, use 9:16, for example 1080 × 1920. Instagram's reel page says reels can be between 1.91:1 and 9:16 with at least 720 pixels. For feed, use 1:1 or 4:5.
Where is the safe zone?
In the Meta pages I could read, no pixel safe zone is stated. Leave generous top and bottom margins and check on your phone.
Should I export GIF or MP4 for Instagram?
MP4. Instagram takes video, and MP4 files are smaller and smoother.
Does MP4 keep a transparent background?
No. MP4 cannot carry transparency, so the editor flattens it onto a matte color. Choose a solid background that fits your design.
Is there a watermark?
No. It is free, with no watermark and no account.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Everything runs in your browser.