Does Instagram still accept square images?

Yes, square (1:1) images are still supported. Vertical images, however, usually take up more space on people's screens and fit the new profile layout better. If maximum visual impact matters to you, choose a vertical format.

What is the best Instagram Feed size?

1080 × 1350 px (4:5) is still a safe choice for most businesses. It looks good both in the Feed and in the profile grid and does not require aggressive cropping. For Reels and Stories use 1080 × 1920 px (9:16).

Do you need to rebuild an older Instagram profile?

Not necessarily. For businesses that publish regularly, though, it is worth adapting the new templates and design principles. Older 3x3 mosaic layouts often no longer look the way they were originally intended in the new grid.

Does the new Grid affect Instagram advertising?

Indirectly, yes. Visuals adapted properly tend to deliver a better user experience and higher engagement. That in turn can improve CTR and overall Meta Ads results, so it is worth building ad creatives around the same Safe Zone principles.

2026. gada 4. jūlijs

Instagram Grid 2026: the new grid sizes and how businesses should adapt their content

Instagram is no longer the platform where you can upload a square (1:1) image and hope for good results. The platform has evolved, and with it so have the Instagram Grid, the Instagram profile layout, Instagram image sizes, Instagram post formats and the way people perceive content.

If your organisation uses Instagram marketing, Instagram advertising, Meta Ads, social media management or simply publishes content regularly, these changes directly affect your results.

In this article you will learn:

why Instagram changed the grid layout;
what the new Instagram Grid sizes are;
how to create content that looks professional;
which image sizes perform best;
how to avoid the most common mistakes;
how businesses should adapt their Instagram strategy in 2026.

Why did Instagram change the grid layout?

For years the Instagram profile was built around square (1:1) images. User habits, however, have changed considerably.

Today most content is captured vertically:

Instagram Reels;
Instagram Stories;
smartphone cameras;
short videos;
portrait photography.

That is exactly why Instagram gradually introduced a vertical profile grid, which represents modern content far better and reduces the need to crop portrait images aggressively.

What does the new Instagram Grid mean for businesses?

It used to be enough to design an attractive square layout. Today that is no longer sufficient. You now have to plan for:

Instagram Grid;
Instagram Feed;
Instagram Reels;
Instagram Stories;
Meta Ads placements;
different screen sizes;
Safe Zone principles.

In practice this means professional social media content has to be planned far more strategically.

Which Instagram image sizes are recommended?

To keep your content looking sharp across every Instagram placement, use the following formats.

Instagram Feed

1080 × 1350 px (4:5). This is still one of the safest formats for Feed posts.

Instagram Grid

The Instagram profile grid now displays content more vertically than before, so the most important design elements belong in the central area to avoid edge cropping across different views.

Instagram Reels

1080 × 1920 px (9:16). This is the full-screen video format.

Instagram Stories

1080 × 1920 px (9:16). A full-screen vertical format.

How does the new Grid affect business profiles?

For years many businesses built:

3x3 layouts;
mosaics;
connected images;
symmetrical profiles.

With the new Grid these designs no longer always look the way they used to. In some cases you will need to:

rework the visual identity;
adapt Canva templates;
build new Photoshop templates;
review the design of the entire Instagram profile.

Does square (1:1) content still work?

Yes. Instagram still supports square posts. They simply no longer use all of the available screen space. The result is:

less visual impact;
weaker attention capture;
less room for text;
lower engagement compared with well-made vertical posts.

How to design for Instagram in 2026

When you create Instagram content, follow these principles.

1. Keep text in the centre

Avoid the very edges. Instagram can crop the image in different views.

2. Use more vertical content

Vertical content occupies a larger share of the screen. That means:

more attention;
higher engagement;
more views.

3. Think about the whole Meta ecosystem

Good design works across:

Instagram Feed;
Instagram Grid;
Instagram Reels;
Instagram Stories;
Facebook Feed;
Facebook Reels.

4. Build a Safe Zone

Do not place:

the logo in the corners;
the CTA right at the bottom;
important text along the edges.

This keeps your content readable across every Instagram view.

The most common mistakes

Businesses often:

still use old 1:1 templates;
fail to adapt Canva designs;
skip dedicated Reels covers;
ignore the Safe Zone;
do not optimise images for mobile devices;
use too much text.

All of this lowers content quality and user engagement.

Why this matters for SEO and social media marketing

Instagram is one of the most significant platforms in business digital marketing. Professionally produced content helps to:

increase brand awareness;
improve audience engagement;
gain more followers;
drive more clicks to the website;
improve advertising results;
build customer trust.

Good design is part of an effective digital marketing strategy.

Conclusion

Instagram keeps evolving, and businesses have to evolve with it. Old square content is no longer the only standard. What matters now is a vertical approach, considered design, respect for the safe zone and content optimisation for every Instagram and Meta format.

If your organisation wants the strongest possible results on social media, it is important to adapt not only the advertising strategy but every visual asset to the new Instagram Grid principles.

ROIS helps businesses build an Instagram content strategy, professional Instagram designs, Reels, carousels, Meta advertising and full-cycle social media management. We produce content that is optimised for the new Instagram Grid and meets Meta requirements. Get in touch with ROIS and tell us what your Instagram goals are.