Carousels are the best format on Instagram for saves and swipe-throughs. Here's how they work.

  • Max slides in the app: 20. Instagram raised it from 10 in August 2024, rolling out gradually.
  • Max slides through scheduling tools and the API: Meta's developer docs still say 10. If your scheduler stops at 10, that's why.
  • Mixing: You can combine photos and videos in one carousel.
  • No Reels inside carousels: The API docs say Reels can't be carousel items. A video slide plays as a carousel video, not as a Reel.
  • Aspect ratio: Every slide takes the same crop, set when you select your media. It's commonly reported that the first slide's ratio is applied to all of them Check in-app. Pick one ratio and design every slide to it:
    • 4:5 → 1080 × 1350
    • 3:4 → 1080 × 1440 (supported since 2025)
    • 1:1 → 1080 × 1080
  • Per-slide extras: You can't add separate captions, locations or tags to individual slides through the API. The app may allow per-photo tags.
  • Music: You can add a track to photo carousels in the app. Business accounts may see a limited library (see article 17).

Good uses: tutorials, before/after shots, "5 things" lists, behind the scenes, and event photo dumps.