Instagram Adds Native Support for 3:4 Images

Instagram Update: Your Portrait Photos Just Got a Little Glow-Up

PSA for the pixel perfectionists and IG aesthetic obsessives: Instagram just dropped a small update that might actually make a big difference to your feed.

You can now post photos in a 3:4 aspect ratio, aka the native format your phone probably already shoots in, without IG awkwardly stretching or cropping them to fit its old-school frame rules. Translation? Your photos now show up in the feed looking just like you intended. No stretching, no squishing. Just vibes.

Direct from the Instagram Creators channel:

“Going forward when you upload a 3:4 image it’ll now appear exactly as you shot it. This works with both single-photo posts and carousels.”

So if you’re the kind of person who thinks about framing, lighting, and symmetry more than your next meal, rejoice! This is for you.

And don’t worry, the OG square (1:1) and popular 4:5 formats aren’t going anywhere. 3:4 is just another tool in your content toolbox.

Now, let’s keep it real: IG is still very much a video-first playground. Reels run the show, and AI is busy serving up algorithmic dopamine hits to keep us scrolling. More than half the stuff in your feed now? Yup, it’s AI-recommended Reels. Add in the rise of messaging, and it’s clear that still images are kind of the quiet kid in the corner.

But just because photos aren’t the cool kid anymore doesn’t mean they’re irrelevant. They still drive solid engagement, especially with close friends and your ride-or-die followers. And if visuals are part of your brand’s strategy, having more format flexibility is never a bad thing.

Bottom line: Your photos just got a little more room to shine. Use it wisely.