Carousel sizes: square, portrait, PNG and PDF exports
The design ratio, the exported file and the published post are three different things to check. A portrait layout provides more vertical space, but extra space is useful only when it makes the content easier to read. Pick the format around your explanation and the destination you will actually use.
Carousel AI offers 1:1 square and 3:4 portrait layouts, targeting 1080×1080 and 1080×1440 pixels. Download the slides as PNG files in a ZIP or as a PDF and check the generated dimensions. Immediate Instagram publishing from the app currently crops tall slides to 4:5.
Choose square or portrait before generating
Open Customize design and branding in the creator and select square 1:1 or portrait 3:4. The target design dimensions are 1080×1080 and 1080×1440 pixels respectively. Keep one ratio throughout the sequence. Use a square layout for a compact idea; try portrait when a short list or photo needs more vertical space. These are the app’s design choices, rather than a guarantee that every publishing channel preserves them.
Example briefA five-slide coffee guide: cover with one question, choose the beans, store them, prepare a cup, and finish with a checklist. Select 3:4 in the format controls and keep essential text away from the top and bottom edges.
Use PNG when you need separate slide images
The Download all slides action exports a ZIP containing numbered PNG files such as slide_1.png and slide_2.png. Extract the ZIP, open every file and keep the numbers in order when uploading. Check the actual image dimensions and the smallest text, especially after editing an AI-generated layout. A free account can save and export the result; Free adds a watermark on the final slide.
Use PDF when you want the whole sequence in one file
PDF export puts each captured slide on its own page using the selected square or portrait dimensions. It is useful for a document-style carousel or for sharing the full sequence together. The current exporter places images of the slides in the PDF; it does not create a selectable text layer or a tagged accessible document. Keep a plain-text version of the explanation when readers need one, and open the PDF to check every page before sharing.
Inspect the publishing crop separately
Immediate Instagram publishing from Carousel AI currently converts slides to JPEG and center-crops images taller than 4:5. A 1080×1440 design therefore becomes 1080×1350, removing 45 pixels from each vertical edge. This describes that publishing action, not the downloaded PNG or every other upload path. Keep headings, page numbers and branding inside the central area, and review the post on the destination. If the crop removes important content, revise the layout or use the square option.
Frequently asked questions
Can I select 4:5 in the Carousel AI creator?
The current format controls offer 1:1 and 3:4. Immediate Instagram publishing adapts tall slides to 4:5 by cropping them; it does not redesign the slide into a new 4:5 layout.
Does PNG export mean a single image or a ZIP?
The Download all slides action creates a ZIP with one numbered PNG per slide. Extract the files before uploading them as separate carousel images.
Will changing the ratio improve reach?
A ratio alone does not guarantee reach. Choose a readable layout, provide useful content and check the final post on the platform where your audience will see it.
References
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