Instagram Story size: ratio, length and safe zone
The size to make a story, how long each clip runs, how long it stays up, and where to keep text so stickers and buttons do not cover it.
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The short answer
Make Instagram Stories vertical at 9:16; 1080 x 1920 pixels is the usual size, and Meta’s ads guide recommends 1440 x 2560. Each story clip can be up to 60 seconds, and longer videos are split into back-to-back clips automatically. Stories disappear after 24 hours unless you add them to a highlight. Keep text out of the top 14%, bottom 35% and 6% at each side.
Updated
The specs
Aspect ratio
9:16 vertical, full screen.
Size
1080 x 1920 is the usual export; Meta’s Stories ads guide recommends 1440 x 2560.
Clip length
Up to 60 seconds per clip; longer videos are split into several clips.
How long it lasts
24 hours on your profile and in Feed, unless you add it to a highlight. Stories are kept in your archive unless you turn it off.
The sources
Read on 9 October 2026. Meta does not publish an exact pixel size for regular stories; 1080 x 1920 is the common 9:16 export, not a Meta figure.
How to use Instagram Stories
A single story clip can be up to 60 seconds; longer videos are split; no limit on stories a day.
Source: about.instagram.com, read Invalid Date
- Says
- Clip length
- Page
- Date
- Read 9 October 2026
Stories and highlights
Stories disappear after 24 hours unless you add them as a highlight.
Source: help.instagram.com, read Invalid Date
- Says
- 24 hours
- Page
- Instagram Help Center
- Date
- Read 9 October 2026
Instagram Stories ads
9:16 at 1440 x 2560; leave 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% each side free.
Source: facebook.com, read Invalid Date
- Says
- Recommended size and safe zone
- Page
- Meta Ads Guide
- Date
- Read 9 October 2026
Make it readable
Safe zone
Keep the top 14%, bottom 35% and 6% at each side free of key text; the profile name, reply bar and stickers sit there.
One idea per clip
Stories are tapped through fast. One line of text and one image per clip.
Post as many as you like
Instagram sets no daily limit on stories.
Save the best as highlights
Highlights keep stories on your profile after the 24 hours.
Read next
Your questions, answered
Short answers to what people ask next.
Vertical 9:16, full screen. 1080 x 1920 pixels is the usual size; Meta’s ads guide recommends 1440 x 2560.
Each clip can be up to 60 seconds. Longer videos are split into back-to-back clips automatically.
24 hours, unless you add them to a highlight, which keeps them on your profile.
In the middle. Keep the top 14%, bottom 35% and 6% on each side clear; the name, reply bar and buttons cover those areas.
Yes, both are vertical 9:16. Reels can run much longer and are recommended beyond your followers; stories last 24 hours.
Yes, when you make them in 9:16, the same shape as a story.