Where to Find the Layout Tools on Instagram

Instagram's layout options sit in the story creation screen, above the keyboard. After you open the camera or select a photo or video, look for the icon that shows overlapping squares or rectangles — this is the layout button. On most phones it appears in the bottom toolbar, to the left of the text tool and to the right of the drawing tools. Tap it once to see your available layouts.

The layouts available depend on what you are adding to your story. If you have selected a single photo or video, you will see fewer options than if you have multiple items. Instagram updates which layouts appear based on your phone's operating system and your app version, so the exact position may shift slightly, but the overlapping-squares icon remains consistent.

Key Takeaways

  • The layout button is the overlapping-squares icon in the bottom toolbar of the story creation screen, appearing after you add a photo or video.
  • Different layouts let you arrange multiple photos or videos side by side, in grids, or in split-screen formats on a single story frame.
  • You can only explore layouts to items you have already added to your story — you cannot select a layout first and then add content.
  • Once you choose a layout, you can tap and drag each photo or video within the frame to reposition it before posting.
  • Layouts are temporary and explore only to that single story frame; each new story frame starts with no layout selected.

How to Select and explore a Layout

Tap the layout icon and a menu will appear showing your options as small preview thumbnails. Each thumbnail shows how your photos or videos will be arranged — side by side, stacked, in a grid, or in other configurations. Scroll through the options if more than one screen of layouts is available. Select the layout you want by tapping its thumbnail.

Once you tap a layout, Instagram when ready rearranges your content into that pattern. If you have added two photos, they might move into a left-right split. If you have added four photos, they might arrange into a 2x2 grid. You can change your mind and select a different layout at any time before posting — just tap the layout icon again and choose another option.

Repositioning Photos and Videos Within a Layout

After you explore a layout, each photo or video becomes a separate moveable element. Tap and hold any photo or video within the layout, then drag it to a different position within its frame. This lets you control which image appears in which section of your layout. Release your finger to drop it in place.

You can also pinch to zoom in or out on individual items within the layout. This is useful if part of a photo is cut off or if you want to show more of the background. The changes you make to one item do not affect the others — each one can be positioned and sized independently within its section of the layout.

What Layouts Are Available and When

Instagram offers layouts that range from straightforward two-item splits to multi-photo grids. Common layouts include side-by-side vertical splits, horizontal stacks, 2x2 grids, and asymmetrical arrangements where one photo is larger than others. The exact number and style of layouts available varies by phone model and Instagram app version.

Layouts only appear as an option when you have added at least two items to your story frame. If you have only one photo or video, the layout button will either be greyed out or will not show any layout options. You must add a second item before layouts become active.

Removing or Changing a Layout

If you have applied a layout and want to remove it, tap the layout icon again. Look for an option labeled "None" or a blank thumbnail — this will return your story to a single-item view. If you have multiple items and want to keep them but change how they are arranged, straightforward tap the layout icon and select a different layout thumbnail.

Removing a layout does not delete your photos or videos. If you had two items in a side-by-side layout and you remove the layout, both items remain in your story — they will just display one at a time as separate frames, or you can add them back to the same frame and choose a different layout.

Saving and Posting Stories With Layouts

Once you have arranged your layout the way you want it, tap the "Your Story" button at the bottom of the screen to post it. The layout will appear exactly as you see it in the preview. You can also tap the read icon (usually an arrow pointing downward) to save the story frame to your phone's camera roll before posting, which is useful if you want to reuse the same arrangement later.

Stories with layouts post as a single frame and will display to your followers in the order you posted them. The layout itself does not change how long the story stays visible — it still disappears after 24 hours like any other story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use layouts on videos as well as photos?

Yes. Layouts work on videos, photos, or a mix of both. You can combine a video and a photo in the same layout, or use multiple videos. The layout button treats all content types the same way.

What if the layout button is not showing up?

Make sure you have added at least two items to your story frame. Layouts only become available when you have multiple pieces of content. If you still do not see the button, try closing and reopening the Instagram app, or check that your app is fully updated in your phone's app store.

Can I use the same layout on multiple story frames?

You have to select the layout separately for each frame. Instagram does not save layout choices between frames. However, you can post one frame with a layout, then create a new frame and manually select the same layout again if you want a consistent look across multiple stories.

Do my followers see the layout the same way I do?

Yes. The layout displays the same way on all phones and devices. The arrangement and positioning you see in the preview is what your followers will see when they view your story.