Compress Video for Instagram
Instagram Video Requirements
Instagram has different limits for each format:
- Feed Videos: Up to 4GB, max 60 minutes
- Stories: Up to 4GB, max 15 seconds per story
- Reels: Up to 4GB, max 90 seconds
- IGTV: Up to 4GB, max 60 minutes
Why Compress for Instagram?
Large videos take 5-15 minutes to upload
Instagram re-compresses your video anyway
Pre-compression gives you quality control
Faster uploads mean less battery drain
Better for followers with slow connections
Optimal Instagram Video Settings
| Format | Resolution | Target Size |
|---|---|---|
| Feed Video | 1080x1350 (4:5) | 50-100MB/min |
| Stories | 1080x1920 (9:16) | 20-30MB |
| Reels | 1080x1920 (9:16) | 30-50MB |
Method 1: MediaOptim (Recommended)
- Open MediaOptim app
- Select "Instagram" preset
- Choose format (Feed/Story/Reel)
- Drag video files
- Export optimized for Instagram
Automatically adjusts resolution, bitrate, and encoding for each Instagram format.
Method 2: Instagram Native Compression
If your video is under 4GB but still slow to upload:
- Start upload in Instagram app
- Instagram will compress during upload
- You lose quality control
- Takes longer to upload
Common Issues
"Video too large to upload"
Video exceeds 4GB. Compress with MediaOptim to under 3.5GB to be safe.
"Upload failed"
Usually network timeout. Compress video smaller (under 100MB) for reliable uploads.
"Video quality looks bad after upload"
Instagram re-compressed your video heavily. Pre-compress with quality-focused settings to maintain control.