Compress a video for Instagram Reels
Reels are vertical, short and re-encoded by Instagram anyway. Starting from a well-sized 9:16 file means the app has less work to do, and the result looks closer to what you filmed.
How to prepare a Reel
- If the clip is not vertical, crop it first with Crop video and choose the 9:16 preset.
- Open this page and add the cropped file. The target is set to 25 MB.
- Press Compress to this size, download, and upload to Instagram.
This tool compresses; it does not change the shape. Cropping first keeps the subject centred and avoids the black bars Instagram adds to horizontal videos.
Why start from a smaller file
Instagram re-encodes everything it receives. When you send a very large file, the app has to throw away a lot of data quickly, and the result is blocky in motion and muddy in dark scenes. A file that is already 25 MB and 1080×1920 gives the encoder an easier job. There is no benefit in sending more: the published Reel will not be better.
What fits in 25 MB
| Clip length | Expected result |
|---|---|
| 15 to 30 s | Excellent at 1080×1920 |
| 1 minute | Good at 1080×1920 |
| 2 minutes | Good at 720×1280 |
| 3 minutes | Soft; consider two shorter Reels |
Small things that matter more than size
- Keep the text away from the edges: the interface covers the bottom and the right side.
- Start with movement: the first second decides whether people keep watching.
- Do not upscale: a 720p vertical clip sent as is looks better than the same clip enlarged to 1080p.
- Sound is part of the picture: if the room is noisy, run it through Reduce background noise before compressing.
Questions about Compress video to a size
Does this tool make the video vertical?
No. Crop to 9:16 first, then come back to compress.
What is the best file size for Reels?
There is no official figure. 25 MB for a clip of one to two minutes is a good balance: quick to upload and still sharp after Instagram re-encodes it.
Should I upload 1080p or 4K?
1080×1920 is enough. Instagram does not publish 4K Reels, so the extra data is discarded.
Will the audio stay in sync?
Yes. The tool changes the bitrate, not the timing, and the sound is kept with the picture.