Free tool
Instagram Reels cover size & resizer
Resize any image to a pixel-perfect 1080 × 1920 reels cover — fill or fit — with the centre 1:1 grid crop marked so nothing important gets cut.
Upload any image to resize it to a 1080 × 1920 (9:16) reels cover — cropped to fill or fitted with a background colour. Everything runs in your browser.
How to use it
- 1Upload the image you want as your cover.
- 2Choose Fill to crop to the frame, or Fit to pad it with a colour.
- 3Check the dashed grid-crop box, then download the 1080 × 1920 PNG.
About this tool
An Instagram Reels cover is 1080 × 1920 pixels — a 9:16 portrait frame. The catch is that your profile grid only shows the centre square of that frame, so any title or face near the top or bottom gets cropped out of the grid thumbnail.
This tool resizes your image to exact reel dimensions — filling the frame and cropping, or fitting it inside a background colour — and draws the centre 1:1 crop line on the preview so you can see what survives on your profile before you post.
Instagram Reels cover dimensions, explained
One image has to survive three different crops. Design for all of them and your cover looks right everywhere.
| Where it shows | Crop | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Full-screen reel & cover file | 9 : 16 | 1080 × 1920 px |
| Profile grid thumbnail | 1 : 1 centred | 1080 × 1080 px of the frame |
| Feed preview (if shared to feed) | 4 : 5 centred | 1080 × 1350 px of the frame |
The grid thumbnail is the strict one: it takes the centre square and drops roughly 420 px off the top and bottom of your 1920-tall cover.
Designing a cover that survives every crop
- Keep titles, faces and logos inside the centre 1080 × 1080 square — the dashed box in the preview.
- Use high contrast between text and background so it's readable as a small grid thumbnail.
- Set the text large. If it's not legible at thumbnail size, it's too small.
- Use a consistent template — same font, position and colour treatment — so your profile grid looks designed, not random.
- Avoid busy photos behind text; add a solid shape or gradient panel for the words to sit on.
Cover image vs. in-video first frame
When you publish a Reel, Instagram lets you either pick a frame from the video or upload a separate cover image. A dedicated cover almost always wins:
- You control the composition and text placement instead of hoping a good frame exists.
- You can match it to your grid template for a cohesive profile.
- A designed cover with a clear promise earns more taps from your profile and Explore.
Upload the 1080 × 1920 PNG from this tool as that cover image.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct Instagram Reels cover size?
1080 × 1920 pixels, aspect ratio 9:16. The same size works as the full-screen reel frame and the cover.
Why does my cover text get cut off on my profile?
The profile grid crops every reel cover to a centred square (roughly 1080 × 1080 of the 1920 tall frame). Keep titles and faces inside the dashed box shown in the preview.
Does it upload my image?
No — the resize happens on a canvas in your browser and the file stays on your device.
Can I change a Reels cover after posting?
Yes. Open the Reel, tap the three dots, choose Edit, then Edit cover. You can swap in a new cover image without deleting and re-uploading the video.
What size is an Instagram Reel in pixels?
1080 × 1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical ratio, at 30fps or higher. The cover image uses the same dimensions.