This morning, as I opened Instagram, something felt off. My meticulously arranged grid of square thumbnails—the hallmark of the platform since its inception—looked different. Taller. Instagram has officially replaced its iconic 1:1 square grid with a new 4:5 portrait-oriented format, marking a significant shift in the app’s layout.
Perhaps this change was inevitable, with the rise of Reels and Stories, where vertical formats dominate. But for those of us who’ve spent years viewing and curating Instagram through the lens of the square, this update changes the way our profiles are perceived—and how we might manage them moving forward.
A Closer Look at the Technical Shift
The updated grid now showcases thumbnails in a 4:5 ratio instead of the square 1:1 frame. This adjustment makes vertical compositions more prominent, giving the overall profile a taller and more modern feel, optimized for mobile screens. While the change aligns Instagram’s grid more closely with its trending vertical formats, it can leave older posts, particularly square and horizontal images, feeling misaligned.
Previously, Instagram’s recommended size for grid thumbnails was 1,080 x 1,080 pixels (1:1 ratio). With the new 4:5 orientation, you can now display portrait images in the grid at up to 1,080 x 1,350 pixels. This jump in vertical space gives images a more dynamic presence on your profile, reflecting Instagram’s evolving push toward mobile-friendly formats and making portrait shots stand out more than before.
Adjusting Your Existing Grid
The good news is that Instagram hasn’t left users without options. You can edit the thumbnail preview of your older posts directly from your profile by clicking the three dots next to the desired post and selecting Adjust Preview. From there, you can choose between fit or fill. If your image doesn’t fill the new 4:5 space, Instagram also lets you add a white or black background around any negative space, ensuring the overall look remains cohesive despite the format shift.
This customization keeps your feed visually consistent, even as it adjusts to the new layout. By deciding how each post fits in the taller frame, you remain in control of your overall aesthetic.
The Bigger Picture
Instagram’s shift from square to portrait-oriented thumbnails isn’t about redefining how photographers or creators shoot—it’s more about evolving the platform’s layout to reflect current trends. With vertical content already dominating Reels and Stories, this grid change feels like a natural extension of Instagram’s mobile-first approach. The taller thumbnails maximize screen real estate and create a more immersive browsing experience.
While this might initially feel jarring, it’s worth viewing it as a layout upgrade rather than a disruption. For creators, the grid remains what it always was: a visual portfolio for your work. This update is simply another way to showcase it, with new tools that allow you to maintain control over how your feed looks.
Instagram isn’t known for frequent layout changes, which makes this update feel even more significant. It’s hard not to wonder—will they stop here, or is this the start of a broader redesign? Could we see more dynamic layouts or even customizable grid options in the future? Only time will tell, but this shift certainly sets the stage for more surprises ahead.
Have you seen the new grid format on your account yet, or is it still rolling out? Is this change something you’ll embrace? Let us know!
I haven't seen it. Most likely because I still have the older version 264.1 (Dec 2022). :)