Uploading videos to Instagram is not just about creativity, it is also about technical precision. The quality of your video often depends on the resolution and export settings you choose before you hit upload. If your content looks blurry or pixelated, the issue is usually compression. By learning the right approach to resolution, bitrate, and format, creators can take control of how their videos appear.

Instagram supports vertical videos at 1080 by 1920 pixels with a 9 by 16 aspect ratio. Uploading in this exact size avoids resizing and keeps your footage sharp. Many mistakenly export in 4K, but Instagram does not support 4K playback and automatically downscales the file, often reducing clarity. Sticking with 1080 by 1920 ensures a cleaner result.

Another important detail is bitrate. A range between 10 and 15 megabits per second for 1080p balances quality and file size. Lower bitrates create blocky textures, while higher ones just get compressed again. Format matters too, and MP4 with the H264 codec is the most reliable for Instagram.

During editing, crop your footage to 9 by 16 rather than stretching it. Stretching distorts pixels and weakens quality, while cropping maintains resolution. Of course, resolution alone will not make your video shine; good lighting, stability, and thoughtful editing are just as crucial.

In short, export videos at 1080 by 1920, in MP4 with H264, with a 10 to 15 Mbps bitrate. These settings align with Instagram’s specifications and reduce compression issues, giving your content the best chance to look as polished online as it does in your editing timeline.