New Instagram Grid Dimensions: How to Adapt to the 4:5 Vertical Layout

You may have noticed a significant shift in your Instagram feed: the classic 1:1 square ratio is being phased out in favor of a 4:5 vertical ratio (1080 x 1350 pixels). This update aligns the profile grid more closely with the vertical nature of Reels and Stories, creating a more seamless mobile experience.

While this change is better for mobile-first design, it has left many creators frustrated as their carefully curated square grids now look cropped or misaligned. Here is everything you need to know about navigating the Instagram vertical grid update and how to fix your existing posts.

How to Fix Your Cropped Instagram Grid: Step-by-Step

If your square images are being cut off by the new layout, you can manually adjust how they appear on your profile.

1. Select the Post: Tap the three dots (…) in the top right corner of the post.
2. Adjust Preview: Tap the “Adjust Preview” option.
3. Fill vs. Fit: * Fill: This is the default. It fills the 4:5 space but may crop the sides of your original square image.
   • Fit: This shows the entire original image but adds a black or white “letterbox” border to the top and bottom.
4. Save: Currently, this must be done manually for each individual image; there is no “bulk update” setting yet.

Note: This feature currently applies to static images only; video posts cannot yet be adjusted in the “Preview” mode.

Upcoming Instagram Profile Customization Features

According to recent updates from Instagram leadership, more control is coming to the user profile. Soon, creators may be able to:

• Rearrange Posts: Move the order of posts on the grid regardless of when they were uploaded.
• Custom Thumbnails: Better control over how a post looks on the grid without affecting the actual content.
• Grid-Only Posting: The ability to post to your profile without pushing the content to the public main feed.
• Story Highlights Relocation: Moving Highlights to a dedicated tab to clean up the profile header.

Why the Move to Vertical is a Win for Design

Much like the transition from “Standard” to “Widescreen” TVs, change can be jarring. However, the 4:5 aspect ratio offers more screen real estate, allowing your photography and branding to feel more immersive on mobile devices. At Biondo Studio, we recommend embracing the taller format for all future branding and social media assets to stay ahead of the curve.