How to post landscape videos on Instagram: A simple guide to sharing your landscape videos on Instagram

Posting landscape videos on Instagram has become easier with the app’s updated support for various aspect ratios, but getting your landscape videos to display perfectly still requires some know-how. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your landscape (horizontal) videos look professional and captivating on Instagram, whether in your feed or on Stories and Reels.

1. Prepare Your Landscape Video

Start by editing your video. Instagram now supports landscape aspect ratios (16:9 or 1.91:1 for feed posts). However, vertical (9:16) is still the primary format for Stories and Reels. To keep your content polished, use a video editing tool to:

1. Set the resolution to at least 1080 pixels wide (e.g., 1920 x 1080px).
2. Add a background (blurred or solid color) if you want the landscape video to fit fully within a vertical frame, especially for Stories and Reels.
3. Crop if necessary, or maintain the black bars for a cinematic effect.

2. Post to Your Instagram Feed

When creating a new post, select your landscape video. On the preview screen, tap the two outward-facing arrows in the lower left to switch between square and full-width landscape modes. The video will display in its full horizontal ratio (16:9), though it may be letterboxed (with black bars above and below) to fit the feed layout.

3. Post to Instagram Stories or Reels

Stories and Reels default to vertical (9:16). If you upload a landscape video, Instagram will center it with black space above and below. To enhance the presentation:

1. Edit your video beforehand using software to add a blurred or branded background.
2. Use Instagram’s built-in tools to resize, add stickers, or overlay text to fill the extra space creatively.

4. Describe and Tag

Write engaging captions and relevant hashtags to maximize reach. Tag locations or collaborators if applicable.

Designer’s Perspective

From my experience as a designer, presenting media with visual harmony is as important as a strong message. When working with landscape videos, consider integrating them into your profile’s aesthetic. You could first plan using a 3D floor planner platform to design an immersive background or context for your Stories and Reels—this small touch can blend your brand identity with dynamic visual content.

Tips 1:

Consistency in presentation goes a long way—try maintaining a recognizable border, color scheme, or logo placement in all your landscape videos to strengthen your Instagram brand identity.

FAQ

Q: What is the best aspect ratio for posting landscape videos on Instagram Feed?

A: The ideal aspect ratio is 16:9 or 1.91:1 for landscape videos in Instagram Feed.

Q: Can a landscape video fill the entire screen in Stories or Reels?

A: No, Instagram Stories and Reels are optimized for vertical (9:16) videos; landscape content will be centered with space above and below unless edited with a custom background.

Q: Will my video lose quality when uploading in landscape orientation?

A: As long as the resolution is at least 1080px wide (ideally 1920x1080px), Instagram will retain good quality, though some compression may occur.

Q: How do I make my landscape videos stand out on Instagram?

A: Add branded backgrounds, use consistent visual styles, and incorporate creative overlays or text to utilize the extra space effectively.

Q: Can I schedule landscape video posts on Instagram?

A: Yes, third-party social media scheduling tools support landscape video formats, so you can prepare and schedule your content in advance.