What size is an Instagram Reels cover?
An Instagram Reels cover is 1080 × 1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical frame — the same size as the Reel itself. Your profile grid shows only the centre 3:4 area of it, 1080 × 1440 pixels.
This tool resizes your image to exact Reels dimensions and draws that 3:4 crop on the preview, so you can see what survives on your profile before you post.
How Instagram crops your Reels cover
Instagram crops one Reels cover three different ways, depending on where it appears:
| Where it shows | Crop | Visible area |
|---|---|---|
| Full-screen Reel | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 px — the whole frame |
| Profile grid | 3:4, centred | 1080 × 1440 px |
| Feed preview | About 4:5, centred | About 1080 × 1350 px |
The profile grid crop removes about 240 pixels from the top and the bottom of the frame.
Why is my Reels cover cropped on my profile?
Your Reels cover is cropped because the profile grid shows every cover as a centred 3:4 tile. Instagram switched the grid from squares to 3:4 in January 2025, so text near the top or bottom of a 9:16 cover falls outside the tile.
How to design a Reels cover that survives every crop
- Keep titles, faces and logos inside the centre 1080 × 1440 area — the dashed box in the preview.
- Use high contrast between text and background.
- Set text large enough to read on a small grid thumbnail.
- Use one template for every cover so the grid looks designed.
- Put text on a solid panel rather than a busy photo.
Cover image vs. in-video first frame
A dedicated cover image beats a frame picked from the video, because you control the composition and the text. Instagram lets you choose either when you publish a Reel. Upload the 1080 × 1920 PNG from this tool as the cover, and plan the Reel itself with the Instagram Reels hook generator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct Instagram Reels cover size?
1080 × 1920 pixels, a 9:16 ratio. The profile grid shows the centre 3:4 area, 1080 × 1440 pixels.
Can I change a Reels cover after posting?
Yes. Open the Reel, tap the three dots, choose Edit, then Edit cover, and pick a new image without re-uploading the video.
Does the resizer upload my image?
No. The resize happens on a canvas in your browser, and the file stays on your device.
Is the Reels cover resizer free?
Yes. It's free with no sign-up.