To combine photos for a story or post, merge them into one image first with a merge tool, sized to fit Instagram's aspect ratios, then upload the finished image like any single photo.
Sizing for Stories vs. feed posts
| Placement | Aspect ratio | Best layout |
|---|---|---|
| Story | 9:16 (vertical) | Stacked (column) for 2-3 photos |
| Feed post (single image) | 4:5 or 1:1 | Grid for 3-4 photos, side by side for 2 |
| Carousel | Multiple 1:1 or 4:5 images | No merge needed, upload each separately |
Steps to build a combined Story image
- Pick 2-3 photos that work well stacked vertically.
- Use the column layout so they read top to bottom, matching the Story's vertical shape.
- Add a gap and background color for visual separation between photos.
- Download and upload the result to your Story as a single image.
This gives you more control than Instagram's own Story layout templates, which only offer a few fixed shapes. For a clean two-photo side-by-side specifically, the row layout works for a horizontal Story split too.
Frequently asked questions
- What aspect ratio should a combined Story image be?
- 9:16 (vertical) so it fills the full Story frame without Instagram cropping it.
- Can I combine more than 3 photos for one Story image?
- Yes, though each photo gets smaller, so 2-3 typically stays the most readable.
- Is this different from Instagram's built-in Layout feature?
- Yes, it gives you control over exact gap size, background color, and column vs. row layout, which Instagram's fixed templates don't offer.