Horizontal Reels Instagram: The Ultimate Guide

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, Instagram has undergone a transformative journey in its video posting capabilities, embracing the horizontal format that was once a limitation. 

While the platform initially supported only vertical videos, the introduction of landscape-oriented videos on IGTV in 2019 marked a significant shift. 

Fast forward to today, with IGTV seamlessly integrated into the Instagram app as Instagram Video, the support for horizontal videos remains a game-changer.

This evolution empowers creators and filmmakers to upload their landscape videos directly to their feed without the worry of cropping or aspect ratio constraints, unleashing a world of possibilities for immersive storytelling. 

Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or a budding visual artist, mastering the art of posting horizontal videos on Instagram has become an essential skill, opening doors to captivating your audience with cinematic experiences that transcend the boundaries of traditional vertical formats.

So buckle up, for we’ll guide you through the process, whether you’re utilizing your computer or the Instagram app, ensuring your content is optimized and primed to leave a lasting impression in this dynamic digital realm.

What Are Instagram’s Video Requirements?

Instagram imposes specific criteria for videos to ensure optimal viewing on their platform.

Here’s what you need to know about Instagram’s video requirements:

1. Your video should have an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 (horizontal) and 9:16 (tall vertical).
2. It’s recommended to have a frame rate of at least 30 frames per second (FPS).
3. Your video must have a minimum resolution of 720 pixels.
4. For in-feed videos, the maximum file size is 3.6GB, and they shouldn’t exceed 60 minutes in length.
5. Instagram Reels have a maximum size limit of 4GB and can be up to 60 seconds long.
6. Instagram suggests using a cover photo with a resolution of 420×654 pixels or a 1:1.55 aspect ratio. This cover photo serves as a preview image for your video, giving users a glimpse of what to expect before they hit play.

Can You Post Landscape Videos on Instagram?

Yes, you can definitely post landscape videos on Instagram now. Before, Instagram only allowed vertical videos, which was a bit inconvenient because not all videos fit well in that format. 

For example, if you had a video with a lot of people or action, it wouldn’t show properly. 

But Instagram changed that. They updated their platform so you can now upload landscape videos too, as long as they fit the aspect ratio of 9:16. This means your video should be taller than it is wide, but not as tall as a typical vertical video. 

So, if your video meets that requirement, you can upload it just like you would a vertical video. And if someone wants to see the full size of your landscape video, they can just turn their phone sideways. Easy!

Horizontal Reels Instagram

When it comes to shooting videos on your phone, there’s been a long-standing debate: should you hold it vertically or horizontally? 

Well, for platforms like Instagram Reels and Stories, vertical videos are the way to go. But what about those horizontal videos you’ve already shot, like from podcast live streams? 

Unfortunately, they won’t fit well on platforms like Instagram Reels or Stories because only the middle part of the video is shown. 

So, it’s important to know how to resize your horizontal videos to fit these vertical platforms if you want to share them there.

How to Post Horizontal Videos on Instagram?

Using Computer

Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to posting horizontal videos on Instagram using your computer:

1. Login to Instagram: Open your web browser and go to instagram.com. Log in to your Instagram account.
2. Access Create Button: On the left-hand side of the homepage, you’ll see a “Create” button. Click on it.
3. Select Post: Now, click on “Post” from the options that appear.
4. Upload Video: Choose the “Select from computer” option to upload your horizontal video from your computer files.
5. Adjust Video: Use the slider tool to select a cover photo for your video and trim it to adjust the length if needed.
6. Add Caption and Settings: Write a caption for your post, customize the settings, and mention people if necessary.
7. Share: Finally, click on the “Share” button in the top right corner to upload your video to your Instagram feed.

That’s it! Your horizontal video is now posted on Instagram for everyone to see.

Using Mobile App

Here’s a simplified guide on how to post horizontal videos on Instagram using your phone:

1. Open the Instagram app and log in.
2. Tap the “+” icon at the bottom center of the screen to start uploading a new post.
3. Select the horizontal video you want to post from your phone’s gallery.
4. Tap the blue arrow at the top right corner of the screen.
5. Instagram will automatically adjust the video to fit in landscape mode if it meets their requirements.
6. You can edit the video by using the available tools like adding music, effects, or adjusting settings.
7. After editing, tap “Next.”
8. You can choose a cover photo for your video by tapping “Edit cover” and selecting a screenshot from the video or uploading a picture from your gallery.

That’s it! Your horizontal video is now ready to be posted on Instagram.

How to Fit my Horizontal Video onto Instagram Reels and Stories (Manually)?

To fit your horizontal video onto Instagram Reels and Stories manually, follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a 15-second clip from your livestreams.
2. Use Canva.com to create a new design using the video template.
3. Import the video clip into the template area.
4. Instead of fitting the video to the template size, place it in the middle.
5. Click on resize and select Instagram Story.
6. The video will remain centered in the IG Stories template.
7. You can adjust the size to make it bigger as the entire screen will be shown on Instagram.
8. Optionally, add background, text, or images.
9. Download the edited video file.
10. Upload the edited video to Instagram.

By following these steps, your horizontal video will fit perfectly onto Instagram Reels and Stories, allowing you to share your content seamlessly on the platform.

Why Should I Post Horizontal Videos on Instagram?

Posting horizontal videos on Instagram offers several advantages that can enhance your content:

1. Show More: Horizontal videos capture a wider frame, allowing you to include more details in your shot. Whether it’s showcasing multiple people, expansive landscapes, or larger objects, horizontal orientation lets you capture a broader view. This is particularly beneficial if you have a lot to share in your video.
2. Look More Cinematic: The horizontal aspect ratio is synonymous with cinematic experiences, as all movies are filmed in this orientation. By shooting your videos horizontally, you can achieve a more cinematic look and feel, elevating the visual appeal of your content.
3. Better for Commercials and Trailers: If you’re creating trailers, commercials, or longer-form content for your brand or product, horizontal orientation is often preferred. This is because most trailers and commercials are traditionally shot and edited in landscape mode. By aligning with this industry standard, your content can appear more polished and professional, increasing its effectiveness in engaging your audience.

In essence, posting horizontal videos on Instagram provides you with the opportunity to showcase more, create a cinematic atmosphere, and align with industry standards for commercials and trailers, ultimately enhancing the quality and impact of your content.

Conclusion

In this ever-evolving digital landscape, Instagram’s embrace of horizontal video capabilities marks a significant milestone, empowering creators and filmmakers alike to share their stories in a broader, more cinematic frame without compromise. 

The seamless integration of landscape videos into Instagram Video has opened up a world of possibilities, allowing for effortless sharing of horizontal content, whether directly from a computer or through the mobile app. 

Ultimately, this evolution of Instagram’s video capabilities unlocks new avenues for storytelling, inviting creators to capture wider frames, evoke cinematic experiences, and align with industry standards for commercials and trailers, thereby elevating the quality and impact of their content and enriching the Instagram community with compelling narratives and visuals that truly captivate their audience.