Instagram Highlights are one of the best ways to organize your best Stories and make them permanently visible on your profile. A well-designed Highlight cover can make your profile look polished and professional.
In this guide, we'll cover the correct Instagram Highlight cover size, design tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
Instagram Highlight Cover Dimensions
Because Highlights are based on Instagram Stories, the underlying image size is the same:
| Parameter | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Story Size | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Visible Cover | Circular crop from center |
| Safe Zone | Center 650 x 650 pixels |
| Format | JPEG or PNG |
When you upload a Story and save it as a Highlight, Instagram lets you choose a cover image. The cover is displayed as a small circle on your profile, so simple designs work best.
Best Practices for Highlight Covers
1. Keep It Simple
Highlight covers are displayed very small on mobile. Avoid detailed images or small text. A simple icon or single letter works best.
2. Use a Consistent Style
Use the same background color, icon style, and font across all your Highlight covers. This creates a cohesive, professional look.
3. Stay in the Center
Instagram crops the cover to a circle. Keep your main icon or design in the center of the image.
4. Choose Readable Icons
Use bold, recognizable icons. Common Highlight categories include:
- About
- Products
- Testimonials
- Tips
- Behind the Scenes
- Contact
How to Create Highlight Covers
Using Canva
- Create a custom design at 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Add a solid background color
- Place a simple icon or text in the center
- Download as PNG
- Upload to Instagram as a Story and save as Highlight cover
Using Photoshop
- Create a 1080 x 1920 canvas
- Design your cover with layers
- Add a circular guide in the center to preview the crop
- Export as PNG at high quality
Common Highlight Cover Mistakes
1. Too Much Detail
Fine details won't be visible at small sizes. Keep designs bold and minimal.
2. Text Too Small
Small text becomes unreadable on mobile. Use a single word or icon instead.
3. Off-Center Design
If your icon isn't centered, it may be cropped awkwardly by Instagram's circular mask.
4. Inconsistent Colors
Mismatched colors make your profile look unprofessional. Stick to a brand palette.
FAQ
What size should Instagram Highlight covers be?
The source Story should be 1080 x 1920 pixels, but the visible cover is a small circle cropped from the center.
Can I use a different size?
Instagram will crop any image to fit the Story format. For best results, design at 9:16.
Do Highlight covers need to be square?
No. They appear circular on your profile, so design with a centered circular safe zone in mind.
How can I see how my profile looks to visitors?
Use InstaZoom Profile Viewer to view your public Instagram profile and check how your Highlights appear to others.
Summary
For professional Instagram Highlight covers, design at 1080 x 1920 pixels with a centered circular safe zone. Keep designs simple, consistent, and on-brand.
Want to preview how your profile looks? View it in HD with InstaZoom.