Instagram, correct file to have a transparent background?

[a4poster]

Is it possible to upload an image to Instagram that fhas a transparent background? I have a .png file that when viewed has rounded corners. It works fine but when posted to Instagram I get the transparency replaced with a colour. I can’t set this to a specific colour as the image sits on either a grey or red background. If it is possible what file format should I use?

[didiermazier]

Like other social networks Instagram reformat the uploaded medias. If they decide that there is no transparency I am afraid there is nothing we can do to adress this issue.

[twlawrence]

I was able to get one that looks like a bookmark and the tranparency worked on this one. Why does it work with this one image and nothing else?

[Claire H.]

Hi @twlawrence, welcome to the forums! While Instagram supports PNG files, which can store transparency, it may not always maintain transparency, especially in the main feed. You can use PNG files in stories to overlay graphics on images. I hope this helps! ^CH

[twlawrence]

Thanks!
Is there a way i can figure out which ones do and do not maintain tranpacency with out having to constantly trial and error every graphic? I have been using the same export settings for multiple assets but only one of them has kept the tranparency data through to IG. 

[Claire H.]

@twlawrence Save your image in a format that supports transparency, such as PNG. Go to File > Save As and choose PNG from the format options. Make sure the background layer is turned off when you export. JPG does not support transparent backgrounds. As a reminder, though, Instagram may not always maintain transparency, especially in the main feed. ^CH

[twlawrence]

"Instagram may not always maintain transparency, especially in the main feed.”
Do you have any idea why this is inconsistent?

[Claire H. · Accepted solution]

Hi @twlawrence, Instagram automatically converts and compresses images when uploaded, often stripping out transparency and converting files to JPEG, which does not support transparency. In Stories or Reels, you may sometimes see transparency preserved if an image is uploaded, but this behavior is not officially supported or consistent. Instagram is primarily designed around flattened image formats, so transparency often gets lost. I hope this helps! ^CH