How Much of My Content Will Get Cropped on Instagram? (2025 Instagram Grid Size Series: Part Two)
Instagram has officially changed its iconic square grid to a taller format. Here is exactly what this means for your content and how to adapt your strategy to ensure nothing important gets cut off.
Old Instagram Grid Size vs. New Instagram Grid Size
Instagram has abandoned the square grid that has defined the platform since its launch over a decade ago. The new taller grid format feels more similar to what you see on platforms like TikTok, clearly prioritizing video formats in the process. This change is actually positive for small business owners, but it's important to understand exactly how it affects your existing and future content.
What Parts of Your Content Will Be Cropped on Instagram?
The extent of cropping depends entirely on what aspect ratio you're using for your content. Let's break down exactly what gets cut off in each format:
Square Content (1:1 Ratio)
The traditional 1080 x 1080 pixel square format still gets noticeably cropped in the new grid. When you combine the cropping from both sides, nearly one-third of your image can be cut off in the grid view.
This is particularly problematic if you have text or important visual elements near the edges. If your content contains text or critical details near the borders, they might get cropped or appear too close to the edge, making your grid look cluttered.
Horizontal Content (1.91:1 Ratio)
If you're still posting any type of horizontal content, you'll experience significant cropping in the grid view. For example, if you have a photo with three people standing side by side, you might only see the person in the middle when it appears in your grid. Although we've largely moved away from this ultra-horizontal format on Instagram, it's worth noting how severely it gets cropped in the new grid.
Reels Content (9:16 Ratio)
For Reels, small margins get cropped from the sides, top, and bottom when displayed in the grid view. While the cropping is less severe than with square content, it's still important to keep key elements centered
Recommended Format (4:5 Ratio)
The 4:5 ratio (1080 x 1350 pixels) which has been the maximum height allowed for Instagram feed posts and carousels, experiences minimal cropping in the new grid. You'll only lose a small portion on the sides, which means very little of your content gets cut off.
If you've been creating in this format (which has been the recommended size for years), you barely need to adjust your content planning. Just ensure that any text doesn't get too close to the edges, and your content will look great in the new grid.
Instagram Sizes You Should Know in 2025
To recap, here are the key Instagram sizes you should be familiar with:
1:1 Ratio (1080 x 1080 pixels)
The traditional square format
Still the size of the desktop grid (as of this writing)
Not recommended for new content unless necessary
4:5 Ratio (1080 x 1350 pixels)
The recommended format for all Instagram feed posts and carousels
Very close to the new grid size with minimal cropping
The maximum vertical space Instagram allows for standard posts
3:4 Ratio (1013 x 1350 pixels)
The new grid preview size
Not a size you can directly post in
Good to be familiar with for planning purposes
9:16 Ratio (1080 x 1920 pixels)
Full-screen format for Reels, Stories, Live covers
Gets significantly cropped in the grid view
Pro Tips for Creating Instagram Content in 2025
Based on these changes, here are my recommendations:
Use 4:5 ratio for all feed posts and carousels. This format experiences minimal cropping in the new grid and is the best way to view content.
Keep important text and visual elements centered. Anything too close to the edges risks getting cut off when viewing from your profile grid.
Consider the "center square" rule. If you want your content to look good in both desktop view and mobile view, keep critical elements within the center square area.
For Reel covers with text, ensure text stays within the center area and not too close to the edges. This way, when it appears in your grid, the text will still be readable.
Abandon creating square content unless you have a specific reason to use that format. The 4:5 ratio provides more visual space and translates better to the new grid.
The new Instagram grid format is ultimately a positive change that showcases more of your content with less cropping. By understanding these specifications and following these guidelines, you can ensure your Instagram profile looks polished and professional in 2025.
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Manu Muraro is the founder of Your Social Team, which helps small entrepreneurs grow their business through content marketing, especially email and Instagram.
In 2021 Manu launched Your Template Club, one of the first Canva Template for Instagram subscriptions in the world to provide social media managers and small business owners with content templates designed for engagement.
Manu has also more recebtly started the first Instagram Reels Award Show, The Reelies Awards and an email marketing membership, Your Inbox Team.
Born and raised in Brazil, Manu moved to the U.S. in 2000 right out of college to work for Cartoon Network, where she made an award winning career in creative and strategy.