Free Instagram Reel Cover Maker
Make a 1080 × 1920 Reel cover with a title that stays visible in your profile grid.
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How to use this tool
Instagram picks a random frame as your Reel cover unless you choose one, and that frame is often blurry or has no title. This maker creates a 1080 × 1920 cover with your title placed in the middle of the frame, so it stays visible when your profile grid crops Reels to a taller 3:4 preview. Use it for tutorials, product videos and series where viewers browse your grid to pick what to watch.
- 01
Write a short Reel title
Type what the Reel is about in Headline, such as “3 glazing mistakes”, and add a series name or handle in Subtitle or attribution. A few words reads best on a small grid tile.
- 02
Use a video still or pick colors
Click Choose files to add a screenshot from your Reel as JPG, PNG or WebP, or set Background and Text / light color for a clean text cover. Photos are darkened so the title stays readable.
- 03
Download and set it as the cover
Check the live preview and download the 1080 × 1920 PNG. When posting the Reel, tap Edit cover, choose Add from camera roll and pick the image.
Instagram Reel cover size and grid crop
• Full cover: 1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16). This tool exports exactly that size. • The profile grid now previews posts and Reels in a taller 3:4 shape, which trims the top and bottom of a 9:16 cover. • This maker starts the title about 39% down from the top, inside the part the grid keeps. • In the Reels feed, the caption and buttons cover the lower part of the screen, so the bottom of the cover isn’t a good spot for text.
How to add or change a Reel cover
1. While posting, tap Edit cover on the preview screen. 2. Choose Add from camera roll and select your downloaded PNG. 3. Check the profile grid preview, then tap Done and share. To change the cover of a Reel you’ve already posted, open the Reel, tap the three dots, choose Edit, then Edit cover. Instagram changes this menu from time to time.
Tips for covers that get taps
• Use three to six words that promise the payoff: “Fix a cracked glaze”. • Keep the same colors and layout across a series so your grid looks organized. • Use a clear, well-lit still from the video if you add a photo. • Make sure the cover matches the Reel; misleading covers lead to quick swipes.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Instagram Reel cover maker?
An Instagram Reel cover maker creates the still image shown for a Reel in your profile grid and in some feeds before it plays. This one combines a title, a tagline, your colors and an optional video still into a 1080 × 1920 PNG.
What size should a Reel cover be?
Make Reel covers 1080 × 1920 pixels, a 9:16 vertical ratio, so they match the video. This tool exports exactly that. Keep the title near the center, because the profile grid shows a shorter 3:4 crop of the cover.
Why is my Reel cover cropped on my profile?
Instagram’s profile grid shows Reels as 3:4 tiles, so the top and bottom of the 9:16 cover are hidden there. The full cover appears in the Reels tab and when the video opens. Keep text in the middle, as this maker does, to avoid cutting it off.
How do I change the cover of a Reel after posting?
1. Open the Reel on your profile. 2. Tap the three dots and choose Edit. 3. Tap Edit cover and choose Add from camera roll. 4. Pick the new image and tap Done. Menu names can vary slightly between app versions.
Can I use a frame from my video as the cover?
Yes. Take a screenshot of the best frame, then click Choose files and add it here. The tool fills the cover with the image, darkens it with a gradient and adds your title on top, so the frame becomes a readable cover.
What should I write on a Reel cover?
Write a short promise of what viewers will learn or see, like “Easy 5-minute latte art” or “Studio tour part 2”. Three to six words work best. For a series, keep the same wording pattern so people can find each episode on your grid.
Can I use the same cover for TikTok or YouTube Shorts?
Yes. TikTok and YouTube Shorts are also 9:16, so the 1080 × 1920 PNG fits. Each app shows a slightly different crop and places buttons differently, so preview the cover in each app before posting.
Can I edit the cover after creating it?
Yes. Change the text, colors or image and the preview redraws within a fraction of a second. The page doesn’t save designs, so download each cover before you leave.
Are my images uploaded to SocQ?
No. The cover is drawn on a canvas in your browser and the image is read from your own device. Nothing is sent to a SocQ server, and the PNG downloads directly from the page.
Is this Reel cover maker free?
Yes. It’s free with no signup, and no watermark is added to your cover. Make one for every Reel in a series if you like.
For developers
Public Instagram Reels and profile data for your app
SocQ’s Instagram APIs return public Reels, posts, profiles and comments, so you can see which Reels in your niche get the most views and comments and plan covers and titles for your own series. Private Insights aren’t included.
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