Why 4:5 works for Instagram feed videos, and how to reframe a recording to it

If you post videos to your Instagram feed in the same wide shape you use for YouTube, they show up as a thin strip with lots of empty space around them. An Instagram 4:5 video — slightly taller than it is wide — fills much more of the phone screen as people scroll. This post explains why the 4:5 shape works so well in the feed and how to reframe a screen recording to it cleanly.

What 4:5 actually means

An aspect ratio describes the shape of a video, not its quality. 4:5 means that for every 4 units of width, there are 5 units of height. A common size is 1080 × 1350 pixels.

For a full overview of every platform, see the Reels and Shorts size guide.

Why 4:5 works in the Instagram feed

The main feed on Instagram shows posts one after another while people scroll. The taller a post is, the more of the screen it takes — up to a limit. For feed posts, 4:5 is generally the tallest shape shown without cropping in the grid view, so it's the shape that claims the most space.

• More screen space: your video is bigger than a square or wide post next to it.
• Less cropping: unlike a full 9:16 Reel, a 4:5 video usually shows fully in the feed.
• Fits screen content: a phone screen is tall, so a 4:5 frame keeps more of it than a wide or square frame would.

Instagram changes its layouts from time to time, so check how your post previews before publishing. But 4:5 has been a safe, flexible choice for feed videos for a long time.

4:5 or 9:16: which should you use?

Both are useful. They just suit different places.

• Use 9:16 when you post as a Reel. Reels play full screen, and the extra height fills the phone.
• Use 4:5 for regular feed posts, carousels with video, and when you want the whole frame visible in the grid and feed without cropping.

Many creators make both from the same recording: a 9:16 Reel for discovery and a 4:5 feed version for followers. If you want to turn one long tutorial into several clips, read how to turn one tutorial into five Reels.

How to reframe a screen recording to 4:5

A portrait phone recording is very tall (often about 9:19 or 9:20). A 4:5 frame is shorter, so you have to choose which part of the screen to show. Here's a simple approach.

1. Decide what matters in each part. In most app tutorials, the action happens in the middle of the screen, while the top status bar and bottom navigation can be cropped.
2. Reframe in the editor. In Cinematic Recorder, choose the 4:5 export or reframe option. Your original recording stays untouched, because all edits are non-destructive.
3. Let zoom follow the action. With click-based auto zoom, the view moves to each tap, so a button near the top or bottom isn't lost just because the frame is shorter.
4. Check edges. Watch the preview and make sure no important text is cut at the top or bottom.
5. Export and preview on your phone before you post.

Make 4:5 screen videos easy to watch

Feed videos usually start muted, and people decide in a second whether to stop scrolling. A few habits help screen content in particular:

• Add a short title on the first frame, like "3 settings to fix blurry photos".
• Use captions or step labels. Cinematic Recorder can write captions from your voice, and Instagram's own caption options work too. See why captions boost views.
• Use focus highlights to dim the parts of the screen that don't matter.
• Add a camera bubble if your audience likes seeing you. Place it where it won't cover the action after reframing.

And as always, check that no notifications, phone numbers or account details appear on screen. The guide on hiding personal info in videos shows what to look for.

Common reframing mistakes

• Cropping off the button you're talking about. Always watch the full export once.
• Text too small. If a whole settings page doesn't fit, zoom in on the one line that matters.
• Black bars. Uploading a 16:9 video to the feed without reframing leaves a small video with empty space. Reframe instead.
• Using a 9:16 cover for a 4:5 post. The cover gets cropped in the grid; choose a frame that works in both.

FAQ

What size is an Instagram 4:5 video?

A common size is 1080 × 1350 pixels. Higher-quality exports at the same shape also work.

Can I post a 9:16 video in the feed?

Yes, but it's usually shown as a Reel, and the feed or grid may crop it. For a regular feed post, 4:5 gives a cleaner, uncropped look.

Will reframing reduce my video quality?

Reframing crops the frame, so very small details can get softer. Recording at a high resolution gives you room to crop without visible loss.

Does 4:5 work on Facebook too?

Yes. 4:5 is also a strong shape for Facebook feed posts, so one export can often serve both.

Next time you post a screen video to your feed, export a 4:5 version alongside your Reel. It takes a minute, and your video gets more space in every follower's feed. You can try reframing on the free plan.