Design Your Instagram Reel Cover in Canva
TL;DR:
- Instagram Reel covers need to be 1080 x 1920 pixels for best results
- Use a square element in Canva as a guide to keep important content visible
- Add your brand images and text within the square area
- Export from Canva and upload directly to Instagram as your Reel cover
- Always preview on different devices before finalizing
Creating eye-catching Instagram Reel covers helps your content stand out in feeds and keeps your profile looking professional. Canva makes this process straightforward with the right setup and a few design tricks.
Start With the Right Canvas Size
Set up your Canva project at 1080 x 1920 pixels. This matches Instagram's Reel dimensions and ensures your cover displays properly both in the feed and on your profile grid.
Build Your Design
Drop a square element onto your canvas first. This acts as your safe zone – anything inside this square will be visible when Instagram crops your cover for different viewing contexts.
Adding Your Content
Place your main image within the square boundaries. This keeps your focal point visible regardless of how Instagram displays the cover.
Add any text inside the square as well. Keep it readable and on-brand. If text extends beyond the square, it might get cut off on some devices.
Choose a background color that works with your brand palette. This creates consistency across your Reel covers and strengthens your visual identity.
Export and Upload
Save your design from Canva in PNG or JPEG format. Head to Instagram, create or edit your Reel, and upload your custom cover image.
Preview how it looks on both your phone and other devices if possible. Different screen sizes can affect how your cover appears.
FAQs
What file format should I use when exporting from Canva?
PNG works well for designs with text or graphics, while JPEG is fine for photo-heavy covers. Both formats upload to Instagram without issues.
Why do parts of my cover get cut off on Instagram?
Instagram crops covers differently depending on where they appear. Using the square guideline method keeps your important content in the visible area.
Can I use the same cover design for multiple Reels?
You can, but varying your covers keeps your profile more visually interesting and helps individual Reels stand out.
Jargon Buster
Canvas – Your design workspace in Canva where you build your cover
Safe zone – The area of your design that stays visible when Instagram crops the image
Aspect ratio – The width-to-height relationship of your image (9:16 for Instagram Reels)
Wrap-up
Good Reel covers take a few extra minutes but make your content more clickable and your profile more polished. The square guideline trick saves you from having important elements cropped out, and sticking to your brand colors keeps everything looking cohesive.
Ready to level up your Instagram game? Join thousands of creators mastering social media design at Pixelhaze Academy.