How to Resize Video for Instagram Reels
Resize your own video to the right 9:16 shape for Instagram Reels so nothing gets cropped or letterboxed. Step-by-step, with a free in-browser resizer.
Instagram Reels are vertical, and if you upload a square or landscape clip it gets awkwardly cropped or padded with bars. Resizing your video to the correct shape before posting keeps your framing intact and your content looking professional.
This guide explains the right dimensions for Reels and how to resize a video you own using our free in-browser Video Resizer, no uploads, no account.
The right size for Reels
Reels use a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. The recommended resolution is 1080 × 1920 pixels.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (vertical) |
| Resolution | 1080 × 1920 |
| Orientation | Portrait |
For more detail, see best video size for Instagram Reels.
Decide: crop or fit
When you change a clip's shape you choose between two approaches:
- Crop to fill: the frame fills the whole 9:16 canvas; edges of a wider video are cut off.
- Fit with padding: the whole frame stays visible, with bars added above and below.
For Reels, cropping to fill usually looks best, as long as your subject stays centered.
Resize step by step
- Open the Video Resizer.
- Select your video file.
- Choose the 9:16 (1080 × 1920) preset.
- Pick crop-to-fill or fit-with-padding.
- Process and download the result.
Frame your subject for vertical
Vertical video rewards tight, centered framing. Keep the important action in the middle third so it survives cropping. If you shot horizontally, you may need to re-center on the subject during the resize.
Verify before posting
Run the finished file through the Metadata Checker to confirm it is exactly 1080 × 1920 and a reasonable file size, then preview it. See how to make video fit Instagram for troubleshooting cropping issues.
When to use 4:5 instead of 9:16
Not every Reel-style clip has to be a strict 9:16. Instagram also accepts a 4:5 portrait shape (for example, 1080 × 1350), which is taller than square but shorter than full-screen vertical. The trade-off is simple: 9:16 fills the entire screen in the Reels player, while 4:5 shows the whole frame with a little space above and below and tends to look better when the same clip is also shared to your main feed grid. If your clip lives only in Reels, choose 9:16 at 1080 × 1920. If you want one file that looks acceptable both in Reels and in the feed, 4:5 is a reasonable compromise. You can produce either shape in the Video Resizer by picking the matching preset before you process.
Common resizing mistakes to avoid
A few small errors account for most disappointing Reels:
- Upscaling a small clip. Resizing a 720-wide video to 1080 × 1920 stretches pixels and looks soft. Start from the highest-resolution source you have.
- Cropping off captions. If you burned subtitles near the bottom of a landscape clip, crop-to-fill can slice them off. Reposition the text or switch to fit-with-padding.
- Forgetting orientation metadata. Some phone clips are recorded landscape but flagged to display vertical. After resizing, confirm the real pixel dimensions rather than trusting the preview.
- Resizing then compressing too hard. If you also need a smaller file, compress gently with the Video Compressor so the footage stays sharp.
Repurpose one clip across platforms
The good news about getting a Reel to 1080 × 1920 is that the same file is already correct for TikTok and YouTube Shorts, which share the 9:16 standard. Resize once, then post the same vertical master to each platform, adjusting only the caption and any on-screen text positioning for each app's interface. If your starting point is landscape footage rather than a vertical clip, work through the dedicated 9:16 conversion guide first, then treat the result as your reusable master. This keeps your framing consistent and saves you from re-exporting the same video three different ways.
Frequently asked questions
What aspect ratio do Instagram Reels use?
Reels are 9:16 vertical, with a recommended resolution of 1080 × 1920 pixels.
What happens if I upload a landscape video to Reels?
Instagram will crop or pad it to fit the vertical frame, which can cut off important parts or add bars. Resizing first keeps you in control of the framing.
Should I crop or add bars?
Crop-to-fill usually looks more polished for Reels, as long as your subject stays centered. Fit-with-padding preserves the whole frame but adds bars.
Does resizing upload my video anywhere?
No. The Video Resizer runs in your browser, so your file stays on your device.
Can I resize a video on my phone?
Yes. The resizer works in mobile browsers, so you can prepare a Reel directly from your phone.
Can I resize a Reel without re-recording it?
Yes. Resizing only changes the shape and dimensions of an existing file, so you can take a clip you already shot and reframe it to 9:16 without filming again. Just keep your subject centered so cropping does not cut it off.
What frame rate should a Reel be after resizing?
Resizing does not change the frame rate, and you do not need to. 30 fps is standard, and 60 fps suits fast motion. The key is that the dimensions end up at 1080 by 1920.
My resized Reel still looks soft. Why?
The most common cause is upscaling from a low-resolution source. If the original clip was smaller than 1080 wide, resizing it to 1080 by 1920 stretches the pixels. Start from the highest-quality source file you have for a sharp result.