Learn how to resize videos for Instagram correctly. Get expert tips on aspect ratios for Reels, Stories, and Feed posts, plus tools to maintain video quality.
So the other day I was editing a short video I made about my travel experience to Rwanda, which I wanted to post on Instagram as a Reel. Unfortunately, I edited the video in landscape mode (horizontal). It was when I tried uploading the video to Instagram I realized my mistake 😥.
Initially, I felt my 3+ hours of work were wasted, but I realized I could resize the video for Reels. Even though the video was slightly warped, it turned out well.
Are you facing the same issue? This post will show you how to properly edit your video clips to resize them for Instagram without sacrificing quality.
Why Resizing Videos for Instagram Is Important
There are many reasons why resizing your videos before posting them to Instagram makes sense.
Firstly, it ensures your videos match Instagram’s aspect ratio requirement, otherwise they would be chopped off. Unoptimized videos like this can ruin your audience's viewing experience and can even tempt them to unfollow you.
Secondly, resizing your video helps keep it optimized by ensuring the corners aren’t chopped off. You wouldn’t want chopped-off videos filling your Instagram feed.
Furthermore, optimizing your videos for the right size can improve their visibility, the reason being that Instagram loves videos like this.
Other reasons to resize your IG videos include better engagement and compatibility across all Instagram formats.
Instagram Video Size and Aspect Ratio Requirements
It’s important to have a good understanding of Instagram’s video size and aspect ratio requirements to correctly resize your videos.
Each Instagram video format has its own set of specifications:
- Feed Videos: Instagram Feed videos work best with a 1:1 (Square) or 4:5 (Vertical) aspect ratio. Square videos are 1080x1080 pixels, while vertical ones are 1080x1350 pixels.
- Stories and Reels: Both formats use a 9:16 (Vertical) aspect ratio, designed for full-screen viewing on mobile. An aspect ratio of 1.91:1 can also work for Reels. The recommended resolution is 1080x1920 pixels.
As for video formats, MP4 and MOV are all acceptable.
How to Resize Videos for Instagram
1. Using Submagic
The easiest and fastest way to resize your videos is by using Submagic. All you have to do is upload the video you want to resize and select the aspect ratio you want. Submagic will automatically do the resizing for you 😎.
And like that, you’ve successfully resized your Instagram video without breaking a sweat. The coolest part is that you can even add animated captions to your videos after resizing them.
Besides resizing, you can also use Submagic to trim your videos.
2. Alternative Tools for Resizing
There are other tools besides Submagic you can use to resize your videos. They include CapCut, Kapwing, Premiere Pro, Davinci Resolve, etc.
The problem, though, is some of these tools are just an overkill and are anything but budget-friendly. Case in point: Premiere Pro and Davinci Resolve.
Can I Resize Videos on My Android or iPhone Mobile Devices?
I know you might be wondering if you can resize videos on your phone. Well, it depends. More often than not, you can only crop videos on mobile devices without using any sort of app.
But if you still wish to resize the videos, you can use Submagic, as it allows you to easily resize videos from 9:16 to 16:9 and vice versa. You can also resize to 1:1.
For granular resizing, we suggest using apps like CapCut - they let you resize videos however you want.
Tips for Maintaining Video Quality When Resizing
You wouldn’t want your video to get warped or, worse, pixelated after resizing it. Here are tips to prevent that.
1. Ensure Your Videos Are Shot in High Resolution
If your videos are shot in low resolution, they will inevitably get pixelated the moment you resize them. To avoid this from happening, shoot them in preferably 1080 x 1920 pixels. That way, they will maintain quality even after they are resized🙂.
2. Use the Correct Format To Avoid Resizing
Why resize your videos when you could straight-up shoot them in the right format? That way, you wouldn’t have to worry about resizing in the first place.
As a rule of thumb, shoot in 1080p x 1920p for videos you plan to post as Reels. On the other hand, the 1080 x 1350 and 1080 x 1080 work fine for IG feed videos.
Keeping these resolutions in mind when creating your videos will avoid the need to resize them.
3. Test Your Videos After Resizing
Once you are done resizing your video, be sure to test it vigorously before uploading it to Instagram. Try testing it on different devices to see if it stays intact. You will also want to play it over a couple of times to check for any loss in quality.
4. Consider Adding Filters
There is a good chance your video will pixelate slightly after scaling it up. You can remedy this by applying sharpening filters before exporting the video. That way, the pixelation will be hard to notice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Resizing Videos
When resizing your videos for Instagram, there are certain mistakes you will want to avoid to ensure your video comes out well. They are as follows:
1. Ignoring Aspect Ratio
If you shoot your video in the right aspect ratio, you won’t have any need to resize them in the first place. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your videos getting cropped or distorted after resizing.
2. Over-Compressing Videos
One of the major drawbacks of resizing videos is that you could end up over-compressing the video. The outcome is always poor video quality which not only hurts your reputation as a content creator but can also limit the visibility of your videos.
In short, be careful not to overcompress your videos.
3. Not Previewing Resized Videos Before Uploading
Another mistake I see people make after resizing their videos is failing to preview the resized video before uploading it to Instagram. Call it an oversight or impatience, but this is a mistake you should avoid.
Conclusion
Resizing your videos to fit the stipulated Instagram format can go a long way in improving your audience viewing experience. Additionally, it can help attract more viewers to your Instagram page, leading to more followership.
Thankfully, resizing videos for Instagram is anything but hard - there are a lot of tools out there you can use for this purpose. Submagic, CapCut, Kapwing, and many more.
