For most smartphone users, the default camera settings yield photos in a 3:4 aspect ratio (or 4:3 when the device is oriented horizontally). This standard configuration means that a vast majority of images in personal galleries conform to this size.

However, many social media platforms, including Instagram, have not adapted to accommodate this popular aspect ratio. Instagram traditionally favors square 1:1 images or 4:5 images, leaving 3:4 photos at a disadvantage. You might have overlooked the distinction between 4:5 and 3:4, but the former results in cropping the top and bottom of your images when uploaded, impacting the overall composition of your posts.

By pinching the preview of your post, you can zoom out and identify the portions of your image that will be lost in the final version. Although you can adjust the image vertically to showcase different sections, this will unfortunately lead to even more cropping from either end.

Instagram Now Welcomes 3:4 Images

Good news has emerged for users! Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, recently announced on Threads that the platform now accepts photo uploads in a 3:4 aspect ratio. Initial reactions have been positive, although some users are expressing desires for even more options, specifically the 2:3 aspect ratio, which is quite favored among photographers.

This update was also shared through Instagram’s Creator’s Broadcast Channel. The announcement clarifies that the new feature is applicable to both single-image posts and carousel formats, while continuing to support the existing square and 4:5 formats. To illustrate this point, the company provided examples showing how a 4:5 image would appear alongside a 3:4 image, marked with dotted lines to highlight the areas that would be cropped in the 4:5 version.

Credit: Instagram

This update is gradually being rolled out across Instagram platforms, but some users may not notice the change immediately. Even after updating to the latest version on iOS, some accounts may still default to the 4:5 setting.

It is worth mentioning that Instagram has long enabled a variety of landscape formats, including 4:3 images, allowing users to share the entire image. However, this would necessitate viewers rotating their devices to see the full display, enhancing the likelihood of a less seamless user experience.