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THE BEST INSTAGRAM VIDEO COVER IMAGE SIZE IN 2025

The best video cover image size for Instagram in 2025. The most optimal image size dimensions/pixels aspect ratio for Instagram video covers.

Brought to you by Mau, a senior Instagram marketing specialist at eDigital.

THE BEST INSTAGRAM VIDEO COVER IMAGE SIZE IN 2025

Before you find the best image size for your next Instagram video cover, let me tell you something you have probably been turning a blind eye to…

Instagram is not helping your business

• Instagram wants you to pay for ads and that’s why your organic “free” posts are reaching just 5% of your followers (If you are lucky!)
• You keep trying to build an audience on Instagram you will never own. 
• You cannot transfer your hard-earned Instagram followers to your best CRM software.
• Your customer acquisition costs from Instagram ads are through the roof.

The solution

I can offer you the best digital marketing strategy workshops that will help you:

• Lower customer acquisition costs.
• Minimise dependency on paid media.
• Build a marketing engine with marketing assets and channels you fully own.
• Craft the best digital marketing plan and social media strategy that boosts sales and customer lifetime value.

THE BEST IMAGE SIZE FOR INSTAGRAM VIDEO COVERS

Instagram ditched the IGTV section in October 2021 and now you should optimise the cover image for the new Instagram video section.

Below are video cover image examples of one of the top 10 most-followed brands on Instagram: Nike.

All your Instagram followers and profile visitors will notice your Instagram video section as long as you use the best and most optimal cover image photo size dimension.

Uploading the best image size for your new Instagram video section cover will ensure you show a very professional Instagram profile, especially for brands that bring massive sales from Instagram or influencers looking to expand their video services to brands.

Marketers are using the best time to post on Instagram

WHAT IS THE BEST IMAGE SIZE DIMENSION FOR THE NEW INSTAGRAM VIDEO COVER IMAGE? 

The most optimal cover image/photo size for an Instagram video is 650 x 650 pixels (or 1:1 ratio).

Note: Do not be confused with Reels as the best cover image/photo size for an Instagram Reel is 420 x 654 (or 1:1.55 ratio).

Below are video cover image examples of one of the top 10 most popular brands on Instagram: National Geographic (Natgeo) for desktop viewing the video cover photo/image is optimised with a square image.

When uploading your video, Instagram will allow you to:

1. Choose a frame from your video as a cover image or
2. Choose an image from your phone’s camera roll

HOW TO UPLOAD A CUSTOM VIDEO COVER IMAGE ON INSTAGRAM

Before you start, get your preferred video cover image ready in your camera roll. (Ideally square size so Instagram does not crop it). Below I will also show you what happens when I upload a video cover image size that is not square.

Steps:

1.  Open the Instagram app
2. Click on the + symbol (top right)
3. Select “Post”
4. Select your video from your camera roll
5. Click next
6. Two options will appear Post and Reel.
7. Select “Post”
8. Select a filter, mute your video or trim your video if you wish (optional)
9. An initial image with the word: cover at the bottom of it will appear. Click on “Cover”

I selected a short sunset video and I want to upload a funny custom cover image to it.

10. Instagram will show you multiple images from your video you can choose from or you can also click the + symbol and add an image from your camera roll
11. Click on: + Add From Camera Roll.
12. Select your preferred cover image from your camera roll.

I selected a sexy “Borat on a green mankini” image. The image size is 234 x 400 pixels.

13. Click on “Done”
14. A preview of the new (just updated) video cover image will now be shown.
15. White your caption, tag people, ad location, add to a video series, etc.
16. Click “Share”
17. Viola! You have successfully added a custom cover image to your video on Instagram

Did you notice Borat’s face and shoes are not shown?

That’s because if you do not upload a square image as your video cover image, Instagram will automatically crop the image and make it square.

⭐️ Tip: if you are running a promotion, deal or offer, make sure you upload a video cover image square size 650 x 650 pixels. If your video is longer than 60 seconds, a preview of it (the first 60 seconds) will appear in the feed. Once the preview has finished, the video pauses and viewers will need to tap “Keep watching” to continue watching the full video. If you share a preview of your video, the preview will show a 4:5 centre crop.

Marketers are using the best social media strategy plan template.

Conclusion

Instagram video covers play an important role in capturing users’ attention, conveying the essence of the video content, maintaining a consistent brand identity, and ultimately driving video engagement.

Using the most optimal video cover image size for your videos on Instagram can significantly impact how users interact with your videos on Instagram.

eDigital can help you conceptualise, plan, develop, run and optimise successful Instagram ad campaigns that generate leads and sales for your brand.

Our digital marketing services include:

• Strategic planning for social media and other digital marketing channels.
• Online advertising: Google Ads Search, Display, Re-marketing and social media ads.
• Training: social media marketing training and digital marketing training.
• SEO strategy, SEO content development and execution.
• Celebrity and influencer marketing campaign strategy.
• Branding. Logo creation, brand development and design of marketing materials.
• Consumer contests/competitions/giveaways.
• Email marketing. Dip sequence design and deployment.
• Conversion rate optimisation. Path to purchase analysis and optimisation.

Contact us today and start boosting your leads and sales.

Marketers are supporting us with their generous donations. Donate today and join 5k+ marketers receiving our e-newsletter.

Final note: Want to reduce customer acquisition costs and dependency on paid media? Our exclusive digital marketing strategy workshops will unmercifully review your marketing, help you build a marketing engine with channels and assets you own, stir your team’s thinking, bring new ideas for new conversion paths and boost customer lifetime value.

THE NEW OPTIMAL INSTAGRAM VIDEO COVER IMAGE SIZE DIMENSION IN 2025

was brought to you by Mau

Considered one of the best marketing consultants in Sydney, Mau offers some of the best digital marketing strategy workshops and best social media training. Mau also loves football, design, music and art. Marketers are using Mau‘s popular Digital Marketing Plan and Social Media Plan templates

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