Instagram Carousel: How to Make and Post One (2026)
To make and post an Instagram carousel, tap +, choose Post, tap the select-multiple icon, pick up to 20 photos or videos, adjust your crop to 4:5, and tap Share.
Instagram lets you combine up to 20 photos and videos into a single swipeable feed post with one shared caption.
Why carousels work so well on Instagram
- One post tells a whole story or step-by-step idea. You can walk viewers through a complete tutorial, share a multi-card breakdown, or deliver an in-depth walkthrough without fragmenting the narrative.
- Include up to 20 photos or videos in a single feed post instead of many separate posts. You can share an entire sequence or collection of media at once rather than publishing individual posts that clutter your profile grid.
- One caption and location for the whole set, with tags per photo. Your description and location stay together in a single place while still allowing you to tag specific people or products on individual slides.
6 steps to make and post an Instagram carousel
- 1
Tap the Create icon and choose Post
Open the Instagram app on mobile and tap the plus icon (+), or click Create on desktop web, then select Post from the creation menu.
- 2
Tap the select-multiple icon
Tap the stacked-squares icon above your media gallery to enable selecting multiple photos and videos.
- 3
Choose up to 20 photos and videos in order
Tap up to 20 images or video clips in the exact sequence you want viewers to swipe through them, keeping your narrative cohesive across every slide.
- 4
Adjust your crop to portrait or square
The orientation you choose (square, portrait or landscape) applies to every photo and video in the post; you can't pick a different one per slide.
- 5
Apply edits and tap Next
Swipe between slides to apply optional filters or individual edits, then tap Next in the top right corner.
- 6
Write your caption and tap Share
Add a single shared caption, set your location, tag accounts on individual slides, and tap Share to publish your swipeable post to the feed.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mixing portrait and landscape images — the orientation you choose (square, portrait or landscape) applies to every photo and video in the post; you can't pick a different one per slide.
Uploading oversized images above 1080 px wide — Instagram sizes photos wider than 1080 px down to 1080 px, so export at 1080 px wide.
Skipping safe margins on key text — keep titles inside screen margins with our social safe zones tool.
The hard part isn't posting — it's the slides.
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Proven viral formulas ready for Instagram
Pick a formula below to generate a branded Instagram carousel with your AI agent or Studio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many photos and videos can an Instagram carousel have?
An Instagram carousel can include up to 20 photos and videos in one feed post.
What is the recommended size for Instagram carousel slides?
We recommend 1080 × 1350 pixels (4:5 portrait) for every slide to maximize vertical screen space in mobile feeds.
Can each slide have a different orientation or aspect ratio?
The orientation you choose (square, portrait or landscape) applies to every photo and video in the post; you can't pick a different one per slide.
Can I add individual captions to each carousel slide?
You share one caption and one location for the whole post, though you can tag people on individual slides.
Sources: Instagram Help Center — Share a post with multiple photos or videos and Image resolution of photos you share on Instagram, checked October 2026.