Instagram applies aggressive compression to all uploaded videos. If your source is not already optimized, the final post can look pixelated, washed out, or soft. Encoding to H.264 MP4 at 1080p with a high bitrate before upload gives Instagram's compressor the cleanest possible source, preserving detail, color, and sharpness in the published video.

Instagram Video Requirements

Recommended Codec
H.264 (AVC)
Container
MP4
Feed Video
Up to 1080p (square, portrait, landscape)
Reels Resolution
1080×1920 (9:16 vertical)
Stories Resolution
1080×1920 (9:16 vertical)
Max File Size (Reels)
3.6 GB
Max Duration (Reels)
90 seconds
Audio Codec
AAC, 128 kbps minimum
Frame Rate
23–60 fps

Encode Video for Instagram — Free Online

Prepare an Instagram-ready H.264 MP4 at 1080p — compatible with Feed, Reels, and Stories.

Create a free account to claim 1000 tokens — enough for about 1000 minutes of 1080p H.264/H.265 or roughly 200 minutes of 1080p AV1 encoding.
Drag & drop a video file here or click to browse
Max file size: 200 MB · Max duration: 300s
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Frequently Asked Questions

What video format does Instagram accept?

Instagram accepts MP4 and MOV. The best upload format is MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio. Uploading in this format reduces Instagram's own re-compression and preserves more quality in your published post.

Why does my Instagram video look bad after uploading?

Instagram applies heavy compression — especially via the mobile app. For best quality, upload via the desktop browser or Meta Business Suite using a 1080p H.264 MP4 source. The desktop upload path uses a gentler compression profile.

What is the best codec for Instagram videos?

H.264 (AVC) is Instagram's native delivery codec. Uploading H.264 MP4 skips one transcode step compared to ProRes, MKV, or AV1 — which translates to noticeably better quality in the final post.

Can I upload vertical video to Instagram?

Yes. Reels and Stories use a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio (1080×1920). Feed videos support portrait (4:5), square (1:1), and landscape (16:9). Crop or resize your video to the target aspect ratio before encoding for best results.

What is the maximum Instagram video file size?

Reels and feed videos via Creator Studio: up to 3.6 GB. Via the mobile app: approximately 650 MB for feed videos. Smaller files upload faster and receive slightly better compression treatment from Instagram's pipeline.

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