Post the whole photo, not a crop
Instagram, TikTok and YouTube each prefer specific shapes. When your photo doesn’t match, the app crops it — often cutting off heads, product edges or text. An aspect ratio resizer solves that by placing your full image on a canvas of the right shape and filling the gaps with a background.
The most popular effect is a blurred background: a soft, zoomed-in copy of your own photo fills the empty space so the post still looks full and colourful. You can also choose a clean solid colour or a brand gradient.
How to resize a photo for Instagram or TikTok
- Upload your photo.
- Choose the target size: 1:1 post, 4:5 portrait, 9:16 Story/Reel/TikTok, 16:9 YouTube or 3:4.
- Choose the fit: Fit whole photo keeps everything visible; Fill & crop fills the frame edge to edge.
- Pick the empty-space style — blurred photo, colour or gradient — and add padding for a framed look.
- Download a JPG at 1080 pixels wide.
Social media image sizes cheat sheet
- Instagram feed post: 1080×1350 (4:5) for maximum screen space, or 1080×1080 (1:1).
- Instagram profile grid: thumbnails display at 3:4.
- Stories, Reels and TikTok: 1080×1920 (9:16).
- YouTube thumbnail and video: 1280×720 or 1920×1080 (16:9).
- Facebook and LinkedIn feed: 1:1 or 4:5 performs best on mobile.
Exporting at 1080 pixels wide matches what Instagram and TikTok store, so your image won’t be downscaled twice and will keep its sharpness.
When to use each background
- Blur — best for photos; it feels natural and keeps colours consistent.
- Solid colour — best for product shots, screenshots and minimal brands.
- Gradient — best for quotes, announcements and eye-catching Stories.
- Padding — adds a gallery-style border with a soft shadow.
💡 Turning a landscape photo into a 9:16 Story? Check where TikTok and Reels buttons will cover it with the Safe Zone Checker.
Related tools
Split wide images into slides with the Carousel Splitter, edit colours in the Photo Filter Studio or add a frame with the Polaroid Frame Maker.