Instagram reel sizing made easy: Resize any video


Even the most experienced content creators have a hard time coming up with fresh video ideas for Instagram Reels on a daily or even weekly basis – so don’t feel bad if that happens to you. If you take a minute to think outside the box, you might realize that you don’t always need to start from scratch.

Even the most experienced content creators have a hard time coming up with fresh video ideas for Instagram Reels on a daily or even weekly basis – so don’t feel bad if that happens to you. If you take a minute to think outside the box, you might realize that you don’t always need to start from scratch.

You can always repurpose videos from other channels like YouTube or even Twitch by resizing them to match Reel format requirements. To make sure your framing is spot on and that nothing important gets cut off, an Instagram video resizer is the way to go. With just a few quick adjustments, you can easily breathe new life into your existing content.

If you’re looking to resize videos for Instagram quickly and easily – you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find out what you stand to gain by using an online tool to resize your videos and how to make your videos Reel-ready in a few simple steps.

Why use an online video editor to resize videos for Instagram Reels?

  • Easy access

To keep up with the fast pace of social media, you need tools that are quick and convenient. Take Flixier, for example—a full-featured online video editor you can use right from your browser, with no downloads or installs required. Resizing videos for Instagram takes just a few clicks, and before you know it, your Reel is live and thriving on social media.

  • Quality preservation

Got a really crisp podcast clip you’d like to share on Instagram but you’re worried resizing it might compromise the quality? With Flixier, you can resize video for Instagram Reels without having to give up clarity. Even when converting a landscape video to a vertical format for Reels, your video stays sharp and clear. While it may get slightly zoomed in to fit the new aspect ratio, the quality of your shots remains untouched.

  • Guidance for proper framing

A big challenge when trying to change video to Reel size is figuring out how to frame it so as not to be obscured by any platform-specific UI elements (like, share, comment buttons, captions, etc). If you choose to resize your video with Flixier, you can get guidance for proper framing with so-called social media safe zones. These overlays show you the areas where the app’s interface is going to cover up your video.

  • Access to extra editing features

To make your videos ready to make a splash on Instagram Reels, go beyond resizing and take your time to explore more editing options. Adding filters, animations, and trending sounds goes a long way in ensuring that your Reels stand out. To add a personal touch, you can also turn your script into a voiceover and narrate your video in style.

Resizing your videos for Reels: a quick step-by-step tutorial

You shouldn’t need a PhD in video editing to create scroll-stopping Instagram Reels. That’s why Flixier keeps it simple – whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro – to turn any video, no matter its format or size, into a vertical Reel ready to share on social media and rack up those likes.

Here’s how you do it:

Power up Flixier

To get started, you need nothing more than an internet connection and a web browser. Open a new tab, go to Flixier.com, and click on the Get Started button to access the editing dashboard. This is where the magic happens.

Import your video

With Flixier, you can upload videos from whichever source is more convenient to you. Whether it’s a local file from your computer, a video you shot on your phone, or one stored in the cloud, you can easily import any video by just clicking on the Import/Record button.

Change the aspect ratio

By default, any video you import into Flixier will be in landscape mode. To convert video to Instagram reel size, click on the small button in the top left corner of the canvas, and select 9:16. This is the standard aspect ratio supported by most video-focused social media platforms. You’ll see some black bars at the top and bottom of your screen.

Reframe your video

At this point, your video might need a bit more adjustment before it’s Reel-ready. The next step is repositioning your video so as to fit the new aspect ratio.

Select your video from the canvas, and you’ll see a menu open on the right side of the screen. Select Fill Canvas if you want your video to fill the entire vertical screen space. This will automatically zoom in on your video, so be sure to reposition it so as to keep the focus on your main subject. You can also manually adjust the zoom level to fit more of your video on screen. 

Apply social media safe zone overlays

Click on the blank space around your video, and from the right side menu, choose Show Safe Zones and select your target platform – in this case, Instagram. As mentioned before, this overlay shows you the areas where the app’s interface might overlap with your video. Continue reframing your video to avoid obstructing any important details on screen.

Cut and reframe when necessary

When resizing landscape videos to vertical formats, the narrower point of view means the new video will automatically focus on the center of the image. As the focus shifts, you might need to trim any unwanted footage and reframe your video to keep the attention on your subject.

Export your video

When you’re happy with the result, click Export to download your video to your computer. You can also conveniently publish it to multiple social media channels and online platforms from the same screen.

Get Reel-ready in minutes!

Build a massive collection of ready-to-share Instagram Reels in a few minutes by simply repurposing your content using Flixier. With just a few tweaks and some proper reframing, you can transform any landscape or square video into a vertical-shaped Reel that your followers can quickly engage with and share.