Crop Photo for Instagram: Get the Perfect Aspect Ratio
You take a beautiful vertical portrait. You upload it to Instagram. And... the top of your head is cut off. Or the beautiful scenery at the bottom is gone.
Social media platforms are ruthless about Aspect Ratios. If your image doesn't fit their specific box, they will crop it for you—badly.
The solution? Take control and Crop Image Online before you upload.
Essential Social Media Ratios (2025)
- Instagram Post (Square): 1:1. The classic. Safe for everything.
- Instagram Portrait: 4:5. Takes up more screen real estate on mobile. highly recommended for engagement.
- Instagram/TikTok Story: 9:16. Full vertical screen.
- Twitter/X Post: 16:9. The standard widescreen format.
- YouTube Thumbnail: 16:9.
How to Crop Accurately
Don't eyeball it. Use a tool with presets.
- Open the Image Cropper.
- Upload your photo.
- Choose a Preset: Click "1:1" for Square or "16:9" for Widescreen. Our tool creates a locked box that ensures you get the exact mathematical ratio.
- Position: Drag the image inside the box to frame your subject perfectly. Use the Rule of Thirds!
- Export: Download your perfectly sized image.
Why Not Just Use the Phone App?
Phone editors are great, but desktop/web cropping offers more precision. It's often easier to see details on a larger monitor, ensuring you aren't accidentally including a trash can in the background of your professional headshot.