If you’re filming with a DSLR or pro camera, 4K footage can be cropped down to a 9:16 aspect ratio without quality loss, but regular 1080 HD footage may suffer. However, when posting to Stories, you’ll want to rotate your phone to record vertically and capture the inverse aspect ratio - 1920×1080. For example, IGTV now allows for vertical video, so go ahead and format it at 1080×1920. Keep in mind your aspect ratio depends on how you post on Instagram.

Horizontal (landscape) videos might look stellar on Facebook or YouTube, but the majority of Instagram users are on mobile devices and viewing the app vertically in portrait mode. Video dimensions should be at minimum 864 pixels (width) by 1080 pixels (height). Ideally, your video takes up the majority of the screen real estate, so we recommend an aspect ratio of 4:5, which is still vertical. However, Instagram has mostly favored vertical video at 9:16. Television and film are formatted at an aspect ratio of 16:9 horizontal. Video aspect ratio refers to the dimensions of the video and should not be confused with file size. If you’re using an audio platform like Artlist, download AAC files rather than mp3. This goes for audio files used in your editing software as well. The highest quality audio format is AAC, rather than mp3.

MP4 is short for MPEG-4 Video and is linked to the H.264 compression standard. Your video file should be exported from your editing software of choice (likely Final Cut Pro X or Adobe Premiere) to specific technical specifications (covered later). Top video professionals agree - the best Instagram video format is MP4. From the news feed to live video, IGTV, and stories, you’ll need to know the right file type and format, dimensions, and export specifications. With one billion monthly active users and some 500 million on the app per day, it’s wise for any influencer, creative, or business to learn how to most effectively use the video options, including how to upload video to Instagram in the best quality. Considering the platform has managed to stay relatively scandal-free (which is amazing considering it is owned by Facebook) and Tik Tok’s looming banning in the U.S., its marketing attractiveness is very high.

Instagram has continued to improve the options for brands to promote themselves via video.

Instagram to mp4 app