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How-to GuideSocial media≈ 1 minute · no install

How to Make a Story / Reel Picture (1080×1920)

Stories, Reels, TikTok and Shorts all use the same vertical canvas: 1080×1920, a 9:16 ratio. A square or landscape photo gets letterboxed or cut — unless you prep it in the right order: crop first, resize second.

The short version

Follow the steps below with the free Crop to 9:16 tool — it runs entirely in your browser, needs no upload, account or watermark, and finishes in about a minute.

Step by step

1
Crop to 9:16

Use the 9:16 preset and slide the frame so the subject sits centre-screen.

2
Resize to 1080×1920

The crop keeps the ratio; the resizer nails the exact pixels.

3
Reserve the dead zones

Leave about 250 px clear at the top and bottom of the image for the UI, captions and sticker overlays.

4
Export JPEG (or PNG for text art)

Upload straight to the app — no re-cropping needed.

Open the Crop to 9:16 toolFree · unlimited · runs in your browser

Pro tips & common mistakes

  • Shooting landscape? Crop in the middle third where faces are — never guess the vertical.
  • Add your own text near eye level; the app chrome eats the top and bottom.
  • PNG beats JPEG for flat-colour quote graphics at 9:16.

The exact requirement

Need the precise numbers? This task pairs with our full spec sheet: Instagram Story Size.

Related guides

How to Crop Horizontal Photos for Reels & ShortsHow-to guideHow to Resize a Photo to 1080×1080 (Perfect Square)How-to guideHow to Make a TikTok Profile PictureHow-to guide

Frequently asked questions

What resolution is an Instagram Story?
1080×1920 pixels, 9:16 — identical for Reels, TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts when vertical.
Can I turn a horizontal photo into a Story?
Yes: crop 9:16 from the centre, or place the photo on a 1080×1920 canvas with a blurred fill background first.
Why do my Stories have black bars?
You uploaded a non-9:16 image. Pre-crop to 1080×1920 and the bars disappear.