Why 4:5 is the feed format many brands prefer
In the scrolling feed, the height of a post decides how long it holds the screen. A 4:5 post is taller than 1:1 and 16:9, so it pushes neighboring posts further away while someone scrolls past. That extra space is why many brands, photographers and shops publish feed videos in portrait.
Where 4:5 fits:
- Instagram feed posts and carousels
- Facebook feed posts
- Feed-placement ads on Meta platforms (check Meta's current ad specs before launching)
- Threads and other apps that display portrait media inline
For full-screen Reels and Stories, use the 9:16 vertical preset instead.
Composing for a slightly tall frame
4:5 behaves like a portrait photograph. Most of the rules photographers use for portraits apply:
- Waist-up or three-quarter people shots. There is room for a person and a bit of environment.
- Product plus context. A sneaker on a wet street with a hint of city behind it; a candle with the room softly blurred.
- Place the subject slightly above center. The caption sits below the post, and a little headroom looks natural.
- Vertical motion in moderation. Falling petals, rising steam, a slow tilt up a dress or a building.
- Consistent grid look. If you post several clips, keep lighting and color grading similar so your profile looks coherent.
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Create a videoPrompt wording for 4:5 portrait clips
Borrow language from portrait and editorial photography:
- "editorial portrait, waist-up, soft window light, shallow depth of field"
- "product on a stone pedestal, soft shadow, slow push-in"
- "fashion model turns toward camera, wind in hair, overcast daylight"
- "flat pastel background, subject slightly above center"
Example: "Editorial portrait of a florist holding a bouquet of peonies, petals drifting down, soft backlight, slow push-in, muted pastel tones." If you are animating an existing product or portrait photo, read our image-to-video prompts guide first - it covers how to keep faces and labels stable.
How the Instagram portrait 4:5 preset works
Selecting the 4:5 preset renders an HD portrait clip in that exact shape. It works with both text-to-video and image-to-video, and in both modes. A practical workflow: draft two or three variations on Turbo, which is faster, then render the chosen one on Pro for finer detail.
Use the prompt enhancer if your idea is only a few words; it writes a fuller shot description you can adjust. You can also Remix any clip from our public feed. Your own clips go into that feed by default, so if a video is for an unreleased product, Unpublish it after generating.
Cost example: a month of feed posts at three per week is about 12-13 clips. With a few retries, a $20 top-up covers it, and unused credits carry over indefinitely.
Posting the same idea in several shapes
A common plan is one concept, three versions: 4:5 for the feed, 9:16 for Reels and Stories, and 1:1 for a square placement or the grid. Generate each shape separately rather than cropping, so each one is composed properly.
- Save your prompt and change only the framing words for each version.
- Add captions, music and logos in CapCut or another editor; switch generated sound off if you'll use your own track.
- Check Instagram's current specs for length and file size before uploading.
Create your first 4:5 video - three are on us.
What is a 4:5 video on Instagram?
It is a portrait video that is 4 units wide for every 5 units tall. In the Instagram feed it appears taller than a square post.
Should I use 4:5 or 9:16 for Instagram?
Use 4:5 for regular feed posts and 9:16 for Reels and Stories, which play full screen.
Can I make a 4:5 video from a product photo?
Yes. Upload the photo, choose the 4:5 preset and describe subtle motion such as a slow push-in or light moving across the surface.
Is there a watermark?
No. Downloads are clean MP4 files.
What does it cost?
3 free videos after signup, then $1 per video. Top-ups start at $20, there's no subscription, and credits don't expire.
