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If you've recently scrolled through your Instagram profile and felt a visual disconnect, you've likely encountered the platform's latest shift. Instagram is systematically replacing its classic 1:1 square grid with a taller, rectangular format, adopting a 4:5 aspect ratio for post previews. This change aligns the profile view with the vertical-first design already dominating feeds and Reels.
The move from 1080 x 1080 pixels to 1080 x 1350 pixels isn't just a minor tweak; it's a fundamental reimagining of profile aesthetics. While the update is rolling out gradually, affecting users at different times, its impact is universal for anyone who has meticulously curated a square-based feed. The rectangular grid offers more screen real estate for visuals, but it also introduces new challenges for presentation and design consistency.
The immediate effect of this update is on your archive. Older posts designed for the perfect square are now being cropped within the new rectangular previews on your profile grid. This doesn't delete any part of your original image—when tapped, the full post still displays—but the thumbnail view may trim the edges, potentially cutting off text, logos, or key compositional elements you carefully placed. For profiles that relied on a checkerboard pattern or a specific mosaic layout, this change can disrupt the entire visual flow, making things look accidentally misaligned rather than intentionally curated.
Instagram's system automatically fits your old square content into the new 4:5 frame. This often means adding neutral-colored margins (usually black or white) to the top and bottom of the image to fill the extra vertical space. However, the automatic "fit" can sometimes zoom in slightly on your square, causing that tight crop. The key is that the platform now treats the profile grid as a portrait-oriented canvas, which changes how every past post is framed at a glance.
Thankfully, Instagram provides a manual override to salvage your existing grid's look. You can edit the preview of individual posts to better suit the new format. Here's a quick workaround based on user-tested methods:
This process won't revert the entire grid back to squares, but it can make individual posts appear more intentional within the new rectangular layout. It's a practical fix for your most recent or most important content.
Moving forward, the golden rule is to create all new static posts and carousels in the 1080 x 1350 pixel (4:5) dimensions. This ensures your content displays natively without unwanted cropping in both the feed and on your profile grid. The taller format actually grants more creative space—you can design full-bleed images that are more immersive. However, a crucial pro-tip remains: keep your core message and visual focus within the central 1080 x 1080 pixel square. This safeguards readability for users who haven't received the update yet and for places like the Explore page, which often still uses square previews.
This shift means updating your design templates. Tools like Canva have already adapted, offering templates with guides for the safe square zone and the full 4:5 canvas. When designing, think vertically first. Use the extra space for extending backgrounds, adding larger typography, or creating more dynamic compositions that guide the eye downward. It's an opportunity to refresh your visual brand and embrace a format that feels more native to mobile scrolling.
You don't have to build new designs from scratch. Numerous creators and platforms offer free, pre-sized templates for the updated Instagram grid. In Canva Pro, you can set custom guides at 135 pixels and 1215 pixels from the top to mark the safe vertical area, and ensure your central square is clear. The process involves:
This layered approach ensures your posts look impeccable everywhere, future-proofing your content against further changes.
This grid update is reportedly just the beginning. Instagram has hinted at more profile changes in the coming months. Highlights may soon move from their circular stories section directly into the main profile grid, transforming them into rectangular tiles. This could offer new ways to showcase curated content but also means any current highlight cover art might need redesigning. The platform is also exploring giving users more control over post alignment and grid customization. While not all announced features may launch, it signals a clear direction: Instagram is optimizing every pixel for a seamless, vertical, mobile-centric experience.
Embrace this change as a creative catalyst. Instead of clinging to the square, use the rectangle to tell better visual stories. Consider a refreshed grid layout—like a vertical column theme or a color gradient that flows down your profile. Audit your last 9-12 posts and adjust their previews; older content further back matters less as fewer visitors scroll that deep. Stay agile by designing in the 4:5 ratio but always checking the central square. This update, while initially disruptive, pushes content creation toward a more modern, engaging standard. By adapting your strategy now, you'll not only fix your grid but also position your profile at the forefront of Instagram's evolving visual language.