Instagram Collage: Sizes, Layouts and How to Make One
How to make a collage for Instagram posts and stories, with the right sizes (1080×1350, 1080×1920), layout ideas and tips so nothing gets cropped.
A collage is the easiest way to share a whole weekend, a trip or an outfit lineup in a single Instagram post or story. The trick is getting the size right, so Instagram doesn't crop your carefully arranged layout.
Here are the sizes that work, layout ideas and the quickest ways to make one.
Instagram collage sizes
| Where | Ratio | Pixels |
|---|---|---|
| Feed post (portrait, recommended) | 4:5 | 1080 × 1350 |
| Feed post (square) | 1:1 | 1080 × 1080 |
| Story or Reel cover | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 |
Use 4:5 for feed posts. It takes up the most space on screen. Instagram's profile grid now shows posts as 3:4 rectangles, so keep important faces and text away from the very top and bottom edges of a 4:5 collage.
For stories, keep about 250 pixels clear at the top and bottom of a 9:16 collage, because Instagram puts your profile name and the reply bar there.
Layout ideas that work on Instagram
- Two side by side: outfit vs. outfit, before and after, then and now.
- Three stacked (story): a 9:16 canvas split into three horizontal bands is perfect for a "day in my life" story.
- One big + three small: your best shot on top and details below. Great for food and travel.
- 3×3 grid: "my 2026 in 9 photos" or a monthly photo dump that fits in one post.
- Photo strip: four photos stacked like a photo booth strip. Read how to make a photo strip.
How to make an Instagram collage
With FotoCollage (iPhone)
- Open FotoCollage and start a new project or pick a template.
- Set the canvas size to 4:5 for a post or 9:16 for a story.
- Add photos, adjust spacing and borders, and add text or stickers if you like.
- Export in high quality and share straight to Instagram.
Online, free
Open our online collage maker, choose the 4:5 or 9:16 size, add photos and download. No sign-up.
Inside Instagram
The Instagram story camera has a built-in Layout mode that splits the screen into a grid. It's quick, but you get fewer layouts and no control over spacing, backgrounds or fonts.
Collage vs. carousel
A carousel shows up to 20 photos you swipe through. A collage shows everything at once. Use a collage when the photos make sense together, and add it as the first slide of a carousel to get both: the full overview, then the details.
Quick tips
- Use one filter on every photo so the collage looks like one image, not a patchwork.
- Thin white spacing looks clean and modern. No spacing looks like one big photo.
- Put text on a plain area or a solid strip, never across faces.