Aesthetics are everything on Instagram, and Reels are no exception. If they’re going up on your grid, they need to be represented in an eye-catching and engaging way. Your IG grid aesthetic is part of your branding—it makes your content recognizable, adds a touch of personality, and can even impact account growth and sales! But beyond just looking good, custom Reels covers give your audience instant context while scrolling through your Reels tab, making it easier for them to find and engage with the content that interests them most.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to design custom Reels covers that not only fit your brand aesthetic but also help maximize engagement.
A Reels cover is the thumbnail image that represents your Reel on your Feed and Grid. You can add one when posting or update it anytime after. Reels covers help your followers quickly understand what your content is about while keeping your Grid visually cohesive. Since Reels tend to perform better when shared to your Feed and Grid, covers allow you to integrate them seamlessly into your aesthetic without disrupting your overall look.
That initial burst of engagement from your followers helps signal the algorithm to push your Reel further, increasing its chances of reaching new audiences on the Explore page. Reels covers can be standalone designs made with tools like Canva or high-quality stills from your Reel footage. The best choice depends on your brand’s aesthetic and the quality of your video screenshots. If they look questionable (👀), a little editing can go a long way.
At the end of the day, your audience should feel a consistent connection to your brand no matter where they engage with your content. A well-designed Reels cover increases views, draws more users to your profile, and ultimately boosts engagement.
The first thing you need to know about creating Reel covers are the required dimensions. Reel covers in the Reel feed are an aspect ratio of 9:16, but they’re 3:4 in the Grid and 4:5 in the feed. Here's a quick guide to all the updated sizes! (Updated Feb 2025)
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Here’s how to create Reel covers in the app:
Step 1: Create your Reel and press next.
Step 2: Once you’re on the Share screen, click “Cover” on the Reel preview image.
Step 3: Create your cover by either selecting a still from the video content by dragging the selector icon or click “Add From Camera Roll” to choose an image. It’s a good idea to snap a few pics after filming your Reel, as camera roll photos are typically higher quality and can be edited to match the rest of your Grid posts.
Step 4: Click “Profile Grid” to edit how your cover image will appear in your Grid. This lets you drag and crop your Reel cover image.
Step 5: If you want to add text to your cover image, click on the text icon on the image. (Click here for a tutorial.)
If you’re adding a Reel cover to an existing Reel, just click the three dots on the right side of the Reels screen, click “Edit”, and then follow the steps above.
Custom Reels covers are a simple yet powerful way to keep your Instagram Grid cohesive, attract more viewers, and boost engagement. Whether you create them from scratch or refine stills from your videos, investing a little extra effort into your covers can make a big difference in how your content is perceived and discovered.
