Everything you need to know about splitting images for Instagram carousels
Banner Slicer takes a single wide landscape image and cuts it into multiple equal panels. When you upload those panels to Instagram as a carousel post, your followers can swipe left to reveal the full panoramic image -- one seamless, scroll-stopping banner.
You have probably seen these in your feed already: a beautiful cityscape, a product lineup, or a bold typographic message that stretches across 2, 3, or even 10 slides. This tool lets you make those yourself in seconds, no Photoshop required.
These are the current specs the tool follows. You do not need to memorize them -- the slicer handles the math for you -- but it helps to understand why certain settings are recommended.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Slide width | 1080 px (Instagram's standard) |
| Portrait height | 1350 px (4:5 ratio -- fills the most screen space) |
| Square height | 1080 px (1:1 ratio) |
| Max slides | Up to 20 per carousel post |
| File types | JPG, PNG, or WebP |
| Max file size | 30 MB per image |
| Aspect ratio rule | All slides in a carousel share the same ratio -- set by the first slide |
Start with a high-resolution source image. The info bar shows a warning if your image is too narrow for crisp results. For a 3-slide portrait banner, aim for at least 3240 x 1350 pixels.
Keep important content away from the cut lines. Instagram sometimes shows a tiny gap between carousel slides. Faces, text, or logos that sit right on a seam can look awkward. Use the preview to check.
Make the first slide count. It is the only slide people see before they decide to swipe. Put your strongest visual or a clear call-to-action on slide one.
Portrait (4:5) beats square for engagement. It takes up roughly 25% more screen space in the feed, which means more attention from people scrolling.
Double-check slide order before posting. The files download with numbered names (slide_01, slide_02, etc.) so just select them in that order when uploading.
No. Banner Slicer runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to any server -- your images stay on your computer the whole time.
The tool works best with wide landscape images. If your image is taller than it is wide, the slices will end up very narrow and will not look right as a carousel. Try to use images where the width is at least double the height.
This tool is designed specifically for Instagram carousel feed posts. Stories and reels use different dimensions (1080 x 1920 for stories, 1080 x 1920 for reels) and do not support the swipe-to-reveal panoramic effect.
The warning appears when your source image is not wide enough. Each carousel slide needs to be 1080 pixels wide for Instagram's best quality. If your source is only 600 px wide per slice, the tool will scale it up, which can look blurry. The fix: start with a wider image.
Two or three slides is the sweet spot for most images. It is enough to create the panoramic effect without making people swipe too many times. Use more slides (5 to 10) for extra-wide panoramas or visual storytelling sequences where each panel adds something new.