When it comes to creating vertical video content for Instagram Reels, one of the most common questions is what aspect ratio to use. Should you go with 9:16 or 4:5?
The quick answer is that 9:16 is generally recommended for Instagram Reels, as it takes up the full screen on mobile devices. However, 4:5 is also acceptable if you want to repurpose content created for other platforms.
Understanding Aspect Ratios
Aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image or video frame. It is expressed numerically as width:height. For example:
- 9:16 means the width is 9 units and the height is 16 units
- 4:5 means the width is 4 units and the height is 5 units
On Instagram Reels, there are two main aspect ratios used:
- 9:16 – This vertical rectangle shape takes up the entire screen space on mobile. It is optimized for mobile viewing.
- 4:5 – This vertical but slightly wider rectangle will have black bars on the sides when viewed on mobile. It does not fill the entire screen.
Why 9:16 is Ideal for Instagram Reels
There are a few key reasons why 9:16 is the recommended aspect ratio for Instagram Reels:
- Mobile-first platform – Instagram is a mobile-focused platform. Most viewers watch Reels on their smartphones in portrait orientation. 9:16 fills that vertical space.
- Full screen immersion – With 9:16, your video can take up the entire phone screen without any black bars on the side. This creates more immersive viewing.
- Better viewing experience – Without black bars, 9:16 makes the best use of limited screen real estate on phones. Viewers see more content and details.
- Higher engagement – Full screen 9:16 Reels tend to get more likes and comments because they are more eye-catching and immersive.
In short, 9:16 allows you to create a more seamless, full screen viewing experience optimized for mobile. This helps boost engagement and performance with Instagram’s algorithm.
When to Use 4:5 Instead
While 9:16 is ideal, 4:5 can also work for Instagram Reels in some cases:
- Repurposing content – If you already have vertical video in 4:5 created for Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, etc. then repurposing it as-is for Reels can save time.
- Creative choice – Some creators intentionally use 4:5 to have color bars on the side as part of their branding or style.
- Displaying text – 4:5 gives you slightly more horizontal space to overlay text on screen while keeping it legible.
The downside is that 4:5 Reels will have pillarboxes on mobile devices. But the content will remain watchable. So 4:5 is acceptable, but 9:16 is still better for a full mobile viewing experience.
How to Create 9:16 Reels
Here are some tips for creating Reels in the 9:16 vertical format:
- Set camera/app to 9:16 – Use an app or camera that lets you shoot vertical video in 9:16 directly.
- Rotate phone – When using your smartphone camera, rotate it to portrait orientation before recording.
- Edit landscape video – For landscape video, crop it or add vertical black bars on the sides to fit 9:16.
- Design graphics in 9:16 – Any graphics like titles, logos, etc. should be designed at a 9:16 aspect ratio.
- Check on mobile – Review your Reel on a mobile device to double check that it fills the screen.
Apps like Inshot, Premiere Rush, and iMovie make it easy to export vertical 9:16 videos. It just requires shooting and designing with the mobile screen in mind.
Tools for 9:16 Video Creation
Here are some helpful mobile apps and tools for creating 9:16 Reels from scratch:
- Inshot – Mobile editing app with 9:16 canvas sizes and easy export. Free with watermark.
- Adobe Premiere Rush – Desktop and mobile app with 9:16 presets and multi-clip editing. Subscription required.
- Splice – Intuitive mobile video editor with 9:16, easy trimming and transitions. Free with watermark.
- iMovie – Apple’s mobile editing app that allows 9:16 projects and has trailer templates. Free for iOS.
- CapCut – Full-featured editing app popular with TikTok creators. Now supports 9:16. Free with watermark.
For adding vertical black bars to landscape video, apps like Inshot, Kapwing, and Canva offer cropping tools to fit 9:16.
Tips for Shooting 9:16 Video
Beyond apps and tools, the actual process of shooting vertical 9:16 video requires keeping some best practices in mind:
- Stabilize the phone – Use a tripod, gimbal or other mount to keep the smartphone steady as you film.
- Mind the background – What’s behind you will be prominently visible, so choose an uncluttered backdrop.
- Try different angles – Shoot from above, below, selfie, etc. to add visual interest.
- Leave headroom – Keep a bit of space above your head rather than going edge to edge.
- Check framing on phone – Review the framing from the actual mobile screen after recording a clip.
Learning mobile videography takes practice, but these tips will help you perfect vertical, mobile-first 9:16 videos for Instagram Reels.
Differences in Video Quality
Beyond just aspect ratio differences, Instagram Reels also has specific video requirements:
- File type – Reels must be in MP4 or MOV format. Other types like AVI or MKV aren’t supported.
- Resolution – 720p HD or higher is recommended. Standard definition 480p may get compressed.
- Bitrate – Aim for 4-6 Mbps video bitrate for optimal quality.
- Frame rate – 30fps is standard but higher 60fps will look smoother.
- Duration – Reels can be up to 60 seconds long in the app.
Meeting these technical specifications will help your Reels look great on Instagram. Higher resolution source files will come out cleaner after compression.
Do Landscape Reels Get Better Reach?
You may come across some claims that horizontal landscape Reels get better distribution on Instagram. But Instagram has not officially stated this.
The main advantage of landscape Reels is that they take up more screen real estate on desktop feeds. But desktop is still a secondary viewing experience on Instagram.
On mobile, landscape Reels end up very small and less immersive. So they likely do not help reach more users scrolling on phones.
Sticking with vertical 9:16 is still recommended to maximize mobile viewing. But you can experiment with both to see what performs best for your audience and content.
Optimizing Reels for Any Aspect Ratio
Beyond aspect ratio, there are other best practices to help Reels perform well:
- Use eye-catching thumbnails – The preview image needs to capture attention.
- Frontload the best moments – Lead with your most engaging content.
- Use captions and stickers – Make Reels stand out on silent autoplay.
- Follow trends – Use popular audios and effects.
- Encourage shares – Ask viewers to duet, stitch, or repost your Reel.
Great content tailored to your audience will ultimately be more important than just aspect ratio. Test different formats and styles to see what resonates.
Conclusion
Instagram Reels are designed for mobile devices and vertical scrolling. As such, the 9:16 aspect ratio is recommended to create the most engaging viewing experience.
But 4:5 Reels can still work, especially for repurposed content. The focus should be on providing value for your audience in an attention-grabbing format.
With the rise of short form vertical video across apps, it helps to keep the 9:16 aspect ratio in mind as you craft content. Ensure your idea translates effectively from landscape desktop to portrait mobile viewing.
Adapt your creative process to the Reels format for the best results. Have fun and experiment with different styles to learn what performs best!