Last checked: October 2026.
The ideal Instagram Reels cover size is 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16), the same as the Reel itself. But your profile grid doesn’t show the whole cover: it shows a 3:4 crop from the centre (1080 × 1440), cutting about 240 pixels from the top and bottom. Design for both and your cover will look right everywhere.
Instagram Reels cover size at a glance
| Where it appears | Shape | Size | What gets shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reel itself / Reels tab | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 | The full cover |
| Profile grid | 3:4 | 1080 × 1440 (centre) | Top and bottom 240 px are cropped |
| Recommended upload | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 | Upload the full size, keep key content in the centre |
Before 2025 the profile grid used square tiles, so many older guides still recommend a 1:1 safe area. Since Instagram switched the grid to taller 3:4 tiles in early 2025, the centre 1080 × 1440 area is what matters.
The Reels cover safe zone
- Keep your title, face and logo inside the middle 1080 × 1440 area. Anything in the top or bottom 240 pixels disappears in the grid.
- Leave some breathing room at the sides. Text right at the edge looks cramped once the cover shrinks to a small grid tile.
- Use big, short text. Grid tiles are small on a phone, so three to five words in a bold font read far better than a full sentence.
- Keep a consistent style. Covers with the same font and colour make your grid look planned and help people find a series.
How to make a Reels cover from any photo
Your cover doesn’t have to be a frame from the video. You can turn any photo into a 1080 × 1920 cover, even a landscape or 4:5 shot, without cropping it:
- Open the Photo to 9:16 converter and add your photo.
- Keep Fit + blurred edges so the whole photo stays visible, with a soft blurred background filling the rest of the 9:16 frame.
- Add your text in your usual editing app, keeping it inside the centre 1080 × 1440 area.
- Save the image to your phone so it’s ready when you post.
How to add a custom cover to a Reel
- Create your Reel as usual and continue to the final screen before sharing.
- Tap Edit cover on the preview.
- Either pick a frame from your video, or choose to add an image from your camera roll and select the cover you made.
- Check the profile grid preview to make sure your title isn’t cut off, then share.
Set the cover before you post. Changing it afterwards is limited, and the options differ between app versions.
Common Reels cover mistakes
- Title too close to the top or bottom: it gets cut off in the 3:4 grid.
- Using a square (1:1) design: it leaves empty bars or gets cropped in the newer grid.
- Tiny text: unreadable once the cover becomes a small tile.
- Low-resolution images: start from at least 1080 pixels wide so the cover stays sharp.
Related sizes
- Feed posts: 1080 × 1440 (3:4) fills the new grid exactly. Try the Instagram 3:4 grid resizer.
- Stories and Reels video: 1080 × 1920 (9:16).
- Text on the Reel itself: buttons and captions cover parts of the screen while it plays. Check your frame with the Safe Zone Previewer.
Frequently asked questions
What size should an Instagram Reels cover be?
Upload covers at 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16), and keep the important part inside the centre 1080 × 1440 area so it isn’t cropped in your profile grid.
Why is my Reels cover cut off on my profile?
The profile grid shows a 3:4 crop of your 9:16 cover, so the top and bottom are trimmed. Move your title and subject towards the centre.
Can I use a photo as a Reels cover?
Yes. When you tap Edit cover, you can choose an image from your camera roll instead of a video frame. Make it 1080 × 1920 first, for example with the Photo to 9:16 converter.
Is the Reels cover the same as a thumbnail?
Yes, people use both terms. The cover is the image shown on your profile grid and Reels tab before someone taps play.