Updated: Safe-margin guidance paired with 9:16 and 4:5 crops.
Best crop sizes for Reels and Shorts
Use 9:16 for vertical Reels and Shorts, 4:5 for feed previews, and keep safe margins for captions and UI so key subjects never get covered.
Cropping is the difference between a full-screen vertical story and a letterboxed afterthought. Lock sizes before you polish color or transitions.
Quick size reference
| Platform | Format | Size | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reels / TikTok / Shorts | Full-screen vertical | 1080×1920 | 9:16 | Default master |
| Feed-friendly portrait | 1080×1350 | 4:5 | Secondary crop |
Primary crops that cover most uploads
9:16 at 1080×1920 is the master for Reels, TikTok, and Shorts. 4:5 at 1080×1350 is the optional feed-friendly portrait when you need a non-fullscreen Instagram crop.
Keep faces centered with headroom. Leave the bottom clearer than feels natural on a desktop monitor — mobile captions live there.
Batch consistency
Save crop dimensions mentally or in your checklist so every episode in a series matches. Inconsistent framing makes a feed look accidental.
Export two versions only when you truly need both surfaces. Otherwise ship the 9:16 master and move on.
Frequently asked questions
- What crop size should I use for Shorts?
- 9:16 — typically 1080×1920.
- When do I use 4:5?
- For Instagram portrait feed posts or previews where full-screen 9:16 is not required.