When uploading videos to Instagram, you have options to adjust the video quality settings. Choosing the right settings can optimize your videos for the Instagram platform and viewer experience.
Video Resolution
Resolution refers to the dimensions of your video in pixels. Instagram supports videos up to 1080×1920 pixels. Higher resolution videos will be compressed by Instagram upon upload. The recommended resolution is 720×1280 pixels, which provides a good balance of quality and file size.
720×1280 resolution is optimal for full screen vertical videos on mobile devices. For landscape oriented videos, resolutions of 1080×1920 or 1080×1080 are good choices.
Bitrate
Bitrate indicates how much data is used per second of video. On Instagram, videos play automatically with sound off, so high video bitrates are not necessary. Recommended bitrate settings are:
- 720×1280 resolution: 2.5-4 Mbps
- 1080×1920 resolution: 4-6 Mbps
Lower bitrate values will result in smaller files that upload faster. But too low of a bitrate can negatively impact video quality.
Frame Rate
Frame rate refers to the number of frames or images that play per second in a video. Standard video frame rates are:
- 24 fps
- 30 fps
- 60 fps
On Instagram, 30 fps is recommended for most videos. 30 fps provides smooth motion while keeping file sizes manageable.
60 fps video can look more refined for fast motion, but comes with much larger file sizes. 24 fps gives a cinematic look but can have choppy playback during action. For consistent performance across devices, 30 fps is the safest bet.
Aspect Ratio
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between a video’s width and height. Instagram primarily supports two aspect ratios:
- 1:1 – Perfect squares, recommended for profile pictures.
- 9:16 – Vertical videos that fill mobile screens.
9:16 is the best aspect ratio for most Instagram video content. 1:1 is more niche but useful for brief Stories content.
Other widescreen aspect ratios like 16:9 or 9:16 will get cropped by Instagram to fit as best as possible into a square or vertical frame.
File Format
Instagram requires videos to be in .MP4 or .MOV file format. These formats compress well while supporting efficient streaming and playback.
Avoid .AVI, .WMV, .FLV, and other formats not supported by Instagram. For best results, export videos directly into .MP4 format if your editing tool allows it.
Optimal Settings Based on Video Content
While the settings above are generally recommended, you may need to adjust resolutions and bitrates based on video content:
- Portraits and Vlogs: 720×1280 or 1080×1920 resolution, 25-30 fps, 2.5-4 Mbps bitrate.
- Outdoor/Nature B-Roll: 1080×1920 or 1080×1080 resolution, 30 fps, 4-8 Mbps bitrate.
- High Motion Shots: 720×1280 or 1080×1920 resolution, 30-60 fps, 3-6 Mbps bitrate.
Test different settings to balance quality with manageable file sizes for your specific video content types.
Uploading High Quality Videos
Here are some tips for uploading videos with the optimal quality:
- Edit and export your video into a .MP4 file with the recommended settings above.
- Use a high quality video editing program for best results.
- Avoid recompressing videos multiple times.
- Upload the video file directly from your device instead of external URLs.
- Use a strong and stable internet connection for uploading.
- Check the quality after uploading and adjust your settings as needed.
Monitoring Video Quality
After your video goes live, you can check how it looks directly within the Instagram app. Here are some steps to monitor video quality:
- Play your video in the Instagram app and watch closely, looking for any visual artifacts or quality issues.
- Tap and hold on the video to bring up a menu, then choose “Quality”. This will display the resolution and bitrate Instagram has encoded the video in.
- Compare the quality data to your original uploaded file. Significant reductions likely indicate your original video used resolutions or bitrates too high for Instagram’s specifications.
- If quality seems lacking, download the video to your device and watch it closely on a high resolution screen to better judge true image quality.
- Make adjustments to your editing workflow and export settings for subsequent videos as needed.
Third-Party Editing Apps
In addition to camera apps and primary editing software, third-party mobile apps can help optimize videos specifically for Instagram:
- InShot: Mobile app for trimming, filters, and aspect ratio adjustments.
- Splice: Mobile video editor with transitions, text, and crop tools.
- VSCO: Filters and editing presets designed for social media.
- Adobe Premiere Rush: Streamlined cross-platform app tailored for online video.
Tools like these can help apply final touches to enhance quality before uploading within the constraints of the Instagram platform.
Live Video
For live broadcasts via Instagram Live, stream quality depends on your upload connection speed. Use WiFi if available for best results. Resolution adjusts dynamically based on bandwidth, but maintaining 720p quality is recommended.
If video quality seems poor, try closing other apps using bandwidth on your device. Move closer to your WiFi router for a stronger signal. Or consider investing in gear to boost upload speeds.
IGTV Video
IGTV supports longer-form vertical videos up to 10 minutes (60 minutes for accounts with large followings). IGTV videos can have a maximum resolution of 1080×1920 pixels and bitrates up to 4Mbps.
Display dimensions of 720×1280 or 1080×1920 pixels are recommended. Landscape videos are also supported at a 16:9 ratio. Adjust bitrates based on your content using the recommendations above.
IGTV also allows uploading via external URLs, enabling videos from YouTube and other sources to be repurposed, subject to copyright permissions.
Reels
Instagram Reels have a maximum length of 30 seconds and are formatted vertically like Stories. Resolution should be 720×1280 to 1080×1920 pixels. Higher resolution source files will be compressed.
Due to the short length, bitrates can be relatively low compared to IGTV, from 2-6 Mbps depending on resolution. But use higher bitrates if your content has fast motion.
Trim source videos carefully when repurposing for Reels. Add music, effects and text using Instagram’s editing tools to enhance your content.
Troubleshooting Quality Issues
If your videos still exhibit quality problems after optimizing settings, here are some things to try:
- Check internet connection speeds and restart devices
- Clean out device caches and empty storage space
- Close other apps using bandwidth during uploads
- Use dedicated video editing software instead of mobile apps
- Avoid editing in multiple apps which can recompress
- Try uploading smaller clips (15-60 seconds) at a time
Persistent quality problems may indicate an underlying device hardware issue, requiring an upgrade. But carefully refined export settings matched to Instagram’s specifications are key for delivering the best video results.