Instagram Reel Cover Size & Safe Zones (2025)

You see your Reel cover in a few places, and each place crops it a little differently. The fix is simple. Design the cover at 1080 by 1920, then keep text and key elements inside a center box that also works for the profile grid. Below is the exact layout and an easy workflow in PostFast.

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Table of Contents

1. What you need to know about Reel covers
2. Scheduling flow in PostFast
3. Cross posting to other platforms
4. Comparison: native tools vs PostFast
5. Specs that keep posts clean
6. Troubleshooting
7. FAQ
8. Copyable checklists

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What you need to know about Reel covers

• Design canvas. 1080 × 1920, 9:16.
• Reels tab. Shows the cover full height, so the full 9:16 image appears.
• Profile grid preview. Crops to a taller rectangle in the center. Plan for a 3:4 safe box in the middle.
• Home feed. Your cover may appear as the opening frame. Keep the hook large and centered.

Simple layout that never bites you

• Put the title and logo inside a centered 1080 × 1440 box. That box is your grid-safe area.
• Leave some breathing room near the edges. Small buttons and captions can sit over the video once people tap in.

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Scheduling flow in PostFast

1. Upload your Reel
   Export the video at 1080 × 1920. PostFast processes each video before publishing so it meets Instagram specs.

2. Prepare a clean cover
   Make a 1080 × 1920 JPG or PNG. Keep the title and logo inside the 1080 × 1440 center box. Save this file with the Reel.

3. Create the post in PostFast
   Choose Instagram, add your video, and select the cover image or pick a frame. Add a short caption.

4. Pick date and time
   Choose your posting window. PostFast runs in the browser on desktop and on your phone, so you can tweak times or captions anywhere.

5. Schedule
   Your Reel publishes on time with the cover you set.

Helpful links:

• Instagram integration
• API docs

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Cross posting to other platforms

You can reuse the same creative without starting over.

• TikTok. Choose the platform, and tweak captions to be more tailored
• YouTube Shorts. Same as TikTok, but try to avoid too long descriptions
• Facebook. The same, but keep the hook centered, and short

In PostFast, choose the other social media accounts, adjust captions where needed, and schedule the set in one session.

Links for setup:

• TikTok integration
• YouTube integration

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Comparison: native tools vs PostFast

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Specs that keep posts clean

• Cover size. 1080 × 1920, 9:16.
• Grid safe box. Center 1080 × 1440 area. Put the title and logo here.
• Edge padding. Keep important text at least 60 px from the left edge and 120 px from the right edge.
• Top and bottom padding. Give yourself extra space at the top and a larger margin at the bottom where controls can sit.
• File type. JPG or PNG for covers. MP4 for the Reel.

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Troubleshooting

• My title is cropped on the profile grid: It is outside the 1080 × 1440 center box. Move it inward and re-export.
• Cover looks soft: Re-export at 1080 × 1920 and avoid heavy compression. Use JPG quality around 80 to 90.
• Cover changes after upload: Some screens cache images. Give it a moment, then refresh the profile. If it persists, reselect the cover and save again.
• The cover looks fine, the first frame looks messy: People see the cover first in the grid. Inside the Reels player they see the video. Add a clean first second to the video so it matches the cover.

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FAQ

What is the best size for an Instagram Reel cover
1080 × 1920. Keep important text in the center 1080 × 1440.

Can I set a cover from my phone
Yes. You can pick a frame while posting.

Do I need a different cover for the grid
No. One 1080 × 1920 image works everywhere if the title and logo sit inside the 1080 × 1440 center box.

Does PostFast work on mobile
Yes. Open it in your phone’s browser. Same interface as desktop.

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Copyable checklists

Design checklist

• Create a 1080 × 1920 canvas
• Draw a center guide at 1080 × 1440
• Place title and logo inside the guide
• Leave extra room near edges

Posting checklist in PostFast

• Upload 1080 × 1920 MP4
• Pick a frame
• Write a short caption
• Pick date and time
• Choose other platforms as TikTok, Facebook, YouTube Shorts to cross-post to (optional)
• Schedule

If you want to try this flow, start a free trial at PostFast, you can cancel anytime!