Carousel Split
Turn a single wide photo into a multi-slide Instagram carousel or a 3-column profile grid. Choose your slice count, target aspect ratio, and letterbox color, then download every numbered piece as a ZIP — all processed locally in your browser.
FreeNo sign-upRuns in your browserPhotoApplication
Instagram carousel and grid sizes, and what each mode outputs
A seamless carousel works because every slide is the same height and cropped on an exact boundary — if the slice widths drift by even a few pixels the swipe shows a seam. These are the numbers Instagram actually renders at, and what each mode here produces.
| Mode | Output per file | How many pieces | What it looks like in the app |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carousel · 4:5 | 1080 × 1350 px portrait | 2–10 slides | Full-height swipe; the tallest format the feed allows |
| Carousel · 1:1 | 1080 × 1080 px square | 2–10 slides | Square swipe; safest if you repost to other platforms |
| Grid · 3 × N | 1080 × 1350 px per tile | 3, 6, 9 or 12 tiles | Permanent mural across your profile grid, 3 tiles per row |
- Instagram caps a carousel at 10 slides, so a panorama wider than 10 × your slide width has to be cropped or split across two posts.
- Files export zero-padded and numbered in reading order (01.jpg, 02.jpg, …) — left-to-right for a carousel, left-to-right then top-to-bottom for a grid. Upload in that numeric order or the seam breaks.
- When a slice does not match the target ratio it is letterboxed rather than stretched, and you pick the fill color — matching the fill to your image edge is what makes the padding invisible.
- Grid tiles post in reverse: the last tile you upload lands top-left. Post 09 first and 01 last for a 3 × 3 mural to read correctly.
How to split an image for Instagram carousel or grid
- Upload your image. Drag and drop a photo (or click to browse) — it loads entirely in your browser, nothing is uploaded.
- Pick a mode. Choose Carousel to split into 2-10 equal vertical slides, or Grid to divide into a 3xN profile grid (1, 2, 3, or 4 rows).
- Set aspect ratio and fill color. For carousel mode, choose 4:5 portrait or 1:1 square output; pick a letterbox fill color to pad slices that do not match the target ratio.
- Check the swipe preview. Step through each finished slide with the arrows — rendered with the same letterboxing as the export, with its neighbours faded either side so you can see whether the seam actually lines up before you post.
- Download the ZIP. Generate all numbered images (01.jpg, 02.jpg, ...) and download them as a single ZIP, ready to upload to Instagram in order.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are my files uploaded?
- No. Carousel Split runs entirely in your browser — your image is never uploaded to a server.
- What is the difference between Carousel mode and Grid mode?
- Carousel mode slices your image into 2-10 equal vertical strips for a swipeable multi-slide carousel post (the "panorama split" technique). Grid mode divides your image into a 3-column x N-row grid (3, 6, 9, or 12 tiles) for Instagram profile-grid layouts.
- What image dimensions does Instagram require?
- Instagram carousels typically use 1080x1350 (4:5 portrait, maximizes feed real estate) or 1080x1080 (1:1 square). Profile grid tiles are always exported at 1080x1080 since each is a single square post.
- Why does my image get padded with a solid color?
- If your source image slice does not already match the target aspect ratio, stretching it would distort the content. Instead, Carousel Split scales it to fit and pads the remaining space (letterboxing) with a color you choose, keeping every pixel undistorted.
- What order should I download and post the images in?
- Files are zero-padded and numbered in reading order (01.jpg, 02.jpg, 03.jpg, ...) — left-to-right for carousel slides, left-to-right then top-to-bottom for grid tiles. Post them in that same numeric order.
- Can I see what the carousel looks like before posting?
- Yes. The swipe preview renders each finished slide through the same letterboxing path as the export and shows the slides either side of it faded, so a misaligned seam or a wrong fill color is visible before you generate the ZIP rather than after you have posted.
- Can I change the letterbox color?
- Yes. Use the color swatch or hex input to pick any fill color, or use the White/Black quick-select buttons — the default is white.
Use Cases
- Turn a single landscape or panorama photo into a swipeable multi-slide Instagram carousel
- Plan a cohesive 3xN Instagram profile grid before posting individual tiles
- Prep a wide product or landscape shot for both 4:5 and 1:1 Instagram formats without distortion
- Batch-export correctly numbered, ready-to-upload carousel slides in one ZIP
- Pad off-ratio photos with a brand color instead of cropping out content
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