How a grid post works
Your Instagram profile shows posts three across, newest at the top left. A grid post is one big picture cut into tiles, so that once every tile is up, the profile shows the whole image again.
This tool crops your photo to fill the grid exactly, then cuts it into equal tiles at Instagram's sizes: 1080 × 1350 for portrait 4:5, or 1080 × 1080 for square. It all happens on a canvas in your browser, so your photo stays on your device.
Grids work best for big moments: a launch, a rebrand, an event or a new chapter. Because a grid takes over the top of your profile, it's the first thing new visitors see, so make sure it says something about you.
Posting order: last tile first
Because each new post pushes the others along, you post the grid backwards. The bottom-right tile goes first and the top-left tile goes last. The preview numbers every tile in that order, and the downloaded files are named the same way, so you can follow along.
Post the tiles close together. Until the last one is up, followers see a half-finished grid, and the posts in between look like odd crops in their feed.
Picking the right photo
A 3-post row is very wide, and a 9-post grid is tall, so most photos lose something when cropped to fit. Use the keep-in-frame setting to choose which part stays.
- Pick an image with space around the subject, so nothing important falls on a cut line.
- Avoid faces or text across tile edges. Small gaps between tiles on the profile make those look broken.
- Use a large original. A 3 × 3 portrait grid is 3240 × 4050 pixels in total.
- Make each tile work on its own too, because that's how it shows up in people's feeds.
Portrait or square tiles
Portrait 4:5 tiles take up more of the screen in the feed, which helps each post get noticed. Square tiles are simpler and match older grids.
Since early 2025, Instagram's profile grid shows posts as slightly taller 3:4 previews, so a thin strip at the sides of each tile can be hidden on your profile. Keep key details a little away from the left and right edges of each tile, and check the result after posting the first row.
Frequently asked questions
Which order do I post grid tiles in?
Start with the bottom-right tile, marked 1, and finish with the top-left. Instagram adds each new post at the top left, so the picture builds up correctly.
What size is each tile?
1080 × 1350 pixels for portrait 4:5 tiles, or 1080 × 1080 for square. Those are the sizes Instagram recommends for feed posts.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The splitting happens in your browser with its built-in canvas. Your photo never leaves your device.
Why don't my tiles line up perfectly on my profile?
Instagram leaves small gaps between posts and now previews them at 3:4, trimming a little from the sides. Keep important details away from tile edges.
Can I post the grid as a carousel instead?
For one wide row, a carousel is often better. The carousel splitter cuts a panorama into slides that join up as people swipe.