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). :)
I totally get that! I can see the new layout on one of my accounts, but not the other—it’s being rolled out gradually. Even with the latest app version, Instagram often tests changes with select accounts before making them widely available.
"...This jump in vertical space gives images a more dynamic presence on your profile..."
please! it looks absolute garbage... no-one was asked. another thing they decided to force on its users... again.
so two of my profiles are now being displayed in this god awful format while my main profile is still displaying as before.
eventually I will get round to adding this format (1080x1350) to my content DB so order is restored BUT I have long since moved on from instagram and all the games and hoops they force their users to jump thru.
now the action is happening in telegram, bluesky, pixelfed and fotoapp (beta but public soon) which appreciate or at least let users post content in any way they like.
I can clearly see where you’re coming from—Instagram started with the strict 1:1 square format and has gradually evolved to include carousels, stories, reels, and now the shift to 4:5. While adjusting to yet another change can feel like a struggle, this update reflects how mobile screens now dominate, with 4:5 offering more vertical space than 1:1, filling the screen more and allowing for a bigger, more impactful presentation. Other platforms offering more flexibility highlight the expanding creative landscape beyond Instagram. That said, IG’s consistent and simple aesthetic has helped it stay relevant despite these changes. Ultimately, it’s also a reminder to focus on creating art that stands the test of time, beyond app-driven trends.
All instagram is doing is trying to copy tiktok in everything they do.
If they really cared about their users they would simply offer a flexible grid that lays out a users images. End of story.
If you want to see what I mean then check out @thefotoapp profile on instagram and what they are doing to give back power to photographers. Best app I have used to showcase photography in years! No algorithm, no ads, no reels... just a pure photography expierence.
https://fotoapp.co/
“…no-one was asked” - this is funny. You personally were not asked? If every vendor asked every user about what they want, no changes would even be done.
Should have gone to squarespace, 😂
Emma Grigoryan, the author, wrote:
"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.
The updated grid now showcases thumbnails in a 4:5 ratio instead of the square 1:1 frame."
Really?
Instagram is still square for me, the way it has always been since I started using it years and years ago.
Here is a screenshot of my profile as of right now - Jan 23, 2025 at 9:47pm Eastern Time
Instagram’s 4:5 portrait grid update is happening gradually across accounts. I get the frustration—it’s currently affected one of my profiles. The adaptation tools in the article will help once it’s visible on yours.
I could care less, I don't shoot for Instagram.
LOL .... then obviously this article is not for you ... so why did you click on it and comment?
It’s really quite simple, just like you felt the need to share your thoughts here. Now tell me, what makes your opinion more important than mine?
I am opining on something that I care about. You are opining on something that you say you don't care about. An opinion on something that someone doesn't even care about is meaningless. If Instagram is meaningless to you, then your comments about it lack meaning. If Instagram is important to someone, then that person's comments about it have passion and interest behind them.
My opinion is meaningless? Why? because it is to short for you? Oh, because I don’t worship at the altar of Instagram crop ratios? Unlike you, I don't to let a social media app dictate my creative choices. But please, enlighten me, your opinion matters why? Because you’ve let your photography be boxed into a 1:1 square and cry if they change it? Bravo, truly revolutionary. Thank you for playing; better luck next time.
uh ... no.
When someone opines about something they do not care about at all, then their opinion doesn't mean much because they don't care, they have no stakes in the game.
When someone opines about something that they care about a lot, then their opinion has meaning, because they are invested in the thing they are talking about.
That’s a valid point too, but it really depends on the genre and medium you work in. For example, many photographers do commercial work across various industries—from beauty to agriculture—and in those cases, the format often has to align with the client’s needs. If a brand’s social marketing strategy requires images in a 4:5 ratio for Instagram, it’s part of our job as photographers to adapt and meet those requirements. Social media is an undeniable part of business today.
Of course, outside of commercial work, we’re the masters of our creative process. But when marketing and business needs intersect with photography, we’re often asked specific questions: What will these images be used for? What dimensions are required? For example, a website project might demand horizontal images to set the tone, while social media requires content tailored to each platform’s format.
In the end, Instagram doesn’t dictate how I shoot, but I do consider layout and presentation when showcasing my work. If I choose to shoot in a different ratio for personal projects, that’s purely my own decision.
If I didn't hate social media already, I do now. Just ruined all of the 6 square images I had posted over the years. So f'ing stupid and unnecessary. vanderkaay.ca
I have not seen the change yet, but if it does what you say, then I will most likely abandon posting to the platform.
I will only engage on Instagram if it does things the way I like. Instagram is not the boss of what and how I post. I am the boss of what and how I post. I will ignore any attempts to try to make me post certain types of content. I will post what I want to post, not what Instagram is encouraging us to post.
I know someone - a still photographer - who actually started posting reels instead of photos because that is what Instagram started to reward with more exposure. That photographer completely caved in and sacrificed her integrity and authenticity just to continue getting a lot of likes and follows. Instagram said "jump" and she said "how high". This is a ridiculous way for an adult to respond to manipulation.
Folks, do not let Instagram control you. We don't need Instagram. Instagram needs us.
You are being a bit melodramatic, don't you think? We're talking only 6 posts posted just last year (Jan 2024), a far cry from "over the years". :)
Besides, from what it sounds like, you are able to adjust them.
'Ya know, now that I think about, now that I'm remembering, I've always hated the 1:1 square grid. The new 4:5 would probably benefit my gird more since over the last couple of years, I post a 4:5 as the initial image on each post whenever I can.
Well then this change is great for you, Eddie. It sucks, and looks awkward, to have display thumbnails that are different from the image aspect ratio. So the way I see it is that all this time, your Instagram profile page probably looked awkward because Instagram took your 4:5 images and cropped them into squares. But now, with this change that Emma has told us about, your images will appear as they should, in the aspect ratio that you intended them to be seen at.
For me it is the opposite. Because Instagram showed square thumbnails, I only ever uploaded images that looked good in the square format, and carefully cropped and/or added canvas so that they would look their best in that aspect ratio. So for me to purposefully and intentionally make sure that they would look their best as squares, it will ruin my images if it wantonly crops those squares into other shapes.
Great article! The new 4:5 grid format is definitely a big change for Instagram, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to rethink how we present our work. I’ve been experimenting with 4x5 images on my Instagram account, and they look fantastic with this new layout. If you’re interested, feel free to check out my feed for some examples.
www.instagram.com/tocatlian
One tip I’d recommend is cropping your images before uploading them to ensure they fit the 4:5 frame exactly how you like. Not only does this give you full control over the composition, but it also helps maintain better resolution. This update might feel jarring at first, but with a little tweaking, it’s a great way to make your work stand out. Happy posting!
Paul Tocatlian
Kisau Photography
www.kisau.com
Paul Tocatlian wrote:
"I’ve been experimenting with 4x5 images on my Instagram account, and they look fantastic with this new layout. If you’re interested, feel free to check out my feed for some examples.
www.instagram.com/tocatlian"
Paul, your Instagram profile page does not appear in the new 4:5 layout. Your thumbnails are all still square, as they have always been.
You’re absolutely right that on the web, Instagram thumbnails are still 1x1, but on mobile, they display as either 1x1 or 4x5. It’s likely only a matter of time before the 4x5 layout extends to the web as well. Instagram seems to be leaning heavily into vertical formats across the platform, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see the web experience updated to align with mobile.
To me, this is the most important factor of the change, which was not mentioned in the article itself. On desktop view, the grids remain square, while they are vertical on mobile view. This greatly complicates matters when creating content for Instagram. A square graphic looks best on desktop view, but a 4:5 is better on mobile. I think at least half of my particular audience is using desktop computers, so I plan to stick with square images for a while, and adjust each one manually on mobile view.
BTW, the ADJUST FIT function you describe only works for images in your grid, not video thumbnails. Those can't be manually adjusted for some reason.
Changes appear gradually, even on desktop , it is 4:5 on desktop as well on my side, but it did not happen synched to mobile, even the same profile. In the end it is only a preview. I like to make a carousel post if the preview is not fitting me, I make a cover and however I want to showcase my work comes on next slides, might be helpful for some.
You would probably be really surprised but selecting the optimal crop is part of the editing process.
Do you really think I and others are going to follow the whim of some marketing idiot that has probably never even held a real camera?
no... nope... and nada.
I will re-jig my content database here to add a 4x5 border to my images... at some point.
I find it sad AF that people are still chasing instagrams rule changes. You are diluting your work.