Instagram Carousel: A Definitive Guide for 2025

Introduced in 2017, Instagram carousel posts have become a highly popular content format used by individuals, content creators, and brands alike.

Whether you're selling products, telling a story, or breaking down valuable tips, carousel posts keep your audience engaged, encouraging them to swipe through for more.

But what exactly is a carousel post? Stick around, we’re about to break it all down for you!

What is a Carousel Post on Instagram?

An Instagram carousel post works like a photo album, allowing you to upload up to 20 images and videos in a single post that users can swipe through horizontally.

Think of it as a mini slideshow that lets you tell a story, highlight multiple features of a product, or break down complex ideas into bite-sized pieces.

When creating a carousel, you have full control over how it looks and feels. You can edit each image or video individually (applying filters, adjusting sizes, and arranging them in the perfect order). You can even mix photos and videos within the same post or split a longer video into multiple slides for better engagement.

Carousel posts are ideal for grabbing attention and keeping your audience engaged longer. They’re perfect for:

• Showcasing products from different angles or in various use cases
• Sharing step-by-step tutorials or how-to guides
• Highlighting key details or features of a service or product
• Telling a story that unfolds as users swipe through

Instagram Carousel Post Size Guide

One key aspect of social media planning is ensuring your images and videos are the right size and resolution. High-quality, properly sized visuals can increase engagement and reach. Here are the recommended dimensions for carousel posts:

Instagram Carousel Image Sizes:

• Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (Aspect ratio: 1.91:1)
• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (Aspect ratio: 4:5)
• Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (Aspect ratio: 1:1)

Instagram Carousel Video Sizes:

• Video length: 3 to 60 seconds per slide (up to a total of 20 minutes, with 20 slides of 60 seconds each)
• Supported formats: .MP4 and .MOV
• Aspect ratios:
  • Landscape – 1.91:1
  • Square – 1:1
  • Portrait – 4:5
• Maximum file size: 4GB

How to Create an Instagram Carousel Post

To create a carousel post on Instagram:

1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone.
2. Tap the “+” icon and select “Post.”
3. Tap the multi-item selection icon (on the right) to enable carousel mode.
4. Select the photos and videos you want to include in your carousel.
5. Edit each slide: apply filters, crop, and arrange them in your preferred order.
6. Choose whether to save as a draft, schedule for later, or publish immediately.

When you select multiple pieces of content for your Instagram post, you will see a number appear on each one. These numbers indicate the order of your images, helping you organize your content effectively.

If you manage Instagram from a desktop using Meta’s Business Suite, you can also create carousel posts by uploading your images and following the same steps.

How to Schedule an Instagram Carousel Post

You can schedule Instagram carousel posts directly through the Instagram app or Meta Business Suite on desktop. Additionally, third-party scheduling tools like MeetEdgar allow you to plan and automate your posts in advance.

💡 See a step-by-step guide on how to schedule Instagram carousels in our Scheduling Posts on Instagram Guide

5 Strategic Tips for Creating Carousel Posts

1. Start with a strong first slide

Your first slide should immediately grab attention with a striking image or video. A compelling visual will encourage users to stop scrolling and engage with your content.

2. Tell a story or share a sequence

Storytelling is your best strategy when crafting Instagram carousels! Use the carousel format to tell a story that unfolds as users swipe, or break down a process into easy-to-follow steps.

3. Keep a cohesive storyline and aesthetic

Ensure that all slides are connected and tell a clear, cohesive story. While variety is important, maintaining a consistent theme or aesthetic across your carousel makes it look more polished and professional.

4. Encourage interaction and engagement

Ensure your carousel posts include interactive elements such as questions, polls, or a clear call to action (CTA) on the final slide to encourage your audience to comment and engage with your content.

5. Experiment and analyze what works best

Try different types of content, styles, and formats to see what resonates most with your audience. Use Instagram insights to analyze engagement metrics and refine your approach for even better-performing carousel posts in the future.

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