Instagram Post Preview
Write your caption, drop in an image and see the Instagram feed version on the right. The feed shows a 4:5 portrait crop, your first 125 characters and then "more". Line breaks survive only if the line is not empty. Comments show the first two, and the like count depends on whether you have hidden it. Toggle dark mode and desktop to check both, then schedule it when it looks right.
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The card follows Instagram's current layout, including where "more" cuts the text. Real feeds vary slightly by device and app version.
What the Instagram feed does to your post
The feed shows a 4:5 portrait crop, your first 125 characters and then "more". Line breaks survive only if the line is not empty. Comments show the first two, and the like count depends on whether you have hidden it.
The first line is a headline: it is the only part people see before "more". Line breaks make long captions readable, and a question near the end pulls comments, which Instagram weighs more than likes.
How to use the preview
- Enter your name and paste your caption.
- Add an image or your profile photo: both stay in your browser.
- Switch between light and dark and between mobile and desktop widths.
- Click "more" on the preview to see the expanded version, then copy the text or send it to the scheduler.
Why preview before posting
Most engagement decisions happen before the fold. If the first line is a half-sentence or the image crops off a face, the post underperforms and there is no edit that fixes it after the first hour. Previewing is a ten-second check that catches both. Social by InstantDM shows the same preview for all eight platforms side by side inside the composer.
Instagram character limits (2026)
| Field | Limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Caption | 2,200 | 125 characters show before "more" |
| Bio | 150 | |
| Name | 64 | |
| Username | 30 | |
| Comment | 2,200 | |
| Alt text | 100 | Custom alt text on feed posts |
| Hashtags per post | 30 | Instagram has been testing a 5-tag cap since 2025; 3–5 relevant tags is the safe target |
| Story text | No published limit | No published limit; keep it to two lines |
Instagram image sizes (2026)
| Placement | Size (px) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait post (recommended) | 1080 × 1350 | 4:5 |
| Square post | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 |
| Landscape post | 1080 × 566 | 1.91:1 |
| Story / Reel | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| Profile photo | 320 × 320 | 1:1 |
Need one of these sizes? Use the Instagram image resizer.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters show before "more" on Instagram?
About 125 characters on the feed, fewer on smaller phones.
What image size does Instagram use?
Portrait post (recommended): 1080×1350 (4:5). The full size list is on this page.
Is my image uploaded anywhere?
No. The preview renders in your browser; the image never leaves your device.
Is the preview pixel-exact?
It follows Instagram's current layout closely, but the real feed varies by device, app version and whether the account has hidden like counts. Treat it as a faithful approximation, not a screenshot.
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