How to Make a Collage on Instagram Story: 5 Easy Ways 2025

Collages featuring diverse preset templates, with a smartphone in the center highlighting one of the designs.
The Instagram story has a trendy collage function that makes sharing easy and eye-catching. You can take several pictures or choose a layout, and the process is smooth and time-saving. Viewers only need to look at one image instead of scrolling through multiple posts.
 
Now that this is a hot function, don’t get left behind! This article will walk you through how to make a collage on your Instagram story or make your pictures more versatile and stunning by using templates and uploading them directly to your Instagram story.
Make a Collage Now

How to Create Picture Collage on Instagram: A Step-By-Step Guide

Spice up your Instagram stories with creative instagram collages! Whether you’re looking to showcase your favorite moments or create eye-catching layouts, Instagram offers plenty of tools to make it happen. Here’s how to get started:

Create an Instagram Collage Art Using the Collage Option

Steps to Create Instagram Collage Art with the Collage Tool
  1. Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon inside the Your Story button in the top left corner to enter the Story editor.
  2. Select “Collage” from the top menu bar.
  3. From the photos that appear at the bottom of the screen, select the ones you want for your collage. You can tap the Recents menu in the top left corner to switch to Favorites or All Albums. Note: Videos cannot be selected as Instagram Story collages do not support videos.
  4. After selecting your photos, tap the arrow in the bottom right corner, and your collage will be displayed.
  5. If you want to add more photos, tap the second icon at the top that looks like a photo. Select Photo to continue adding pictures. You can also switch the camera roll to different folders, such as Favorites, Recents, or Instagram, depending on where your photos are stored.
  6. Tap the photo to adjust its shape. Pinch to crop or rotate as needed. When you’re finished, tap Done in the top right corner.
  7. Finally, tap “Your Story” to instantly share your Instagram Story collage. Before tapping “Your Story”, double-check your collage to ensure everything looks perfect, as it will be published immediately.
 
😄 Pro: A flexible and dynamic layout with no fixed format, offering creative freedom. The background color adapts to your photos, creating stunning gradient effects for a more artistic look.
😔 Con: Not so ideal for those who prefer structured grid layouts; you’ll need to switch to the Camera section and choose the grid option for fixed formats.

Make a Collage With the Built-in Layout

Steps to Make an Instagram Story Collage Using the Built-in Layout
  1. Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon inside the Your Story button in the top left corner.
  2. Choose the Camera menu.
  3. Select the third option, “Layout”. Tap “Change Grid“ to switch layouts (2-grid, 3-grid, 4-grid, or 6-grid) if needed.
  4. Add photos to your layout by either snapping a new picture or selecting one from your gallery. Tap the photo icon in the bottom left to add pictures.
  5. Swipe through the filter options at the bottom to apply a filter while taking new photos.
  6. Once done, tap the “downward arrow” at the bottom center to save or publish. Tap Your Story to share it immediately.
 
😄 Pro: Use simple, ready-made templates for quick and hassle-free collages.
😔 Con: Limited customization options compared to manual layouts.
 

Collage Art on Instagram Story with Stickers

  1. Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon inside the Your Story button in the top left corner.
  2. Select Camera from the top menu.
  3. Customize Your Collage Background: In the Camera screen, tap “Aa” to create a blank background and choose a color by clicking the color icon on the left. Alternatively, you can select a photo from the bottom left corner—whatever you choose as the first photo will become the background of your collage.
Steps 1-3: Create Collage Art with Stickers on Instagram Story
  1. Tap the “Sticker” icon at the top, then select Photo to start adding images.
  2. Drag, resize, and freely position the images anywhere on the screen. You can also tweak the shape as mentioned in the previous steps.
  3. Add as many images as you want, one at a time, by selecting Photo for each additional image.
  4. Happy with the final collage? Tap “your story” below to share it!
Steps 4-7: Create Collage Art with Stickers on Instagram Story
 
😄 Pro: Allows you to customize the background color and freely position images for a creative, personalized collage.
😔 Con: Adding photos one at a time can be time-consuming and less efficient.

Swipe Right for Instant Pic Collage

Swipe Right for a Quick Pic Collage Creation
  1. From the main Instagram screen, swipe right to quickly open the Story Editor.
  2. Tap “Aa“ to set up a background or choose Layout Mode directly.
  3. Add photos using the techniques mentioned above.
 
😄 Pro: Instantly access the Story Editor with a single swipe, saving time and effort.
😔 Con: Either you create a background manually and add photos via stickers, which can be tedious, or you’re limited to using fixed templates.

Tap the Center Button to Start Your Ins Story Collage Ideas

Steps to Tap the Center Button and Start Instagram Story Collage
  1. Tap the “+” button in the middle of the homepage.
  2. Switch to the second story under the button.
  3. Use any of the above techniques, stickers, or layouts.
  4. Finish the collage and choose to send it out.
 
😄 Pro: The steps are identical to those in the Camera section, making it simple and consistent to use.
😔 Con: You must remember to switch to “Story” mode first, as collages cannot be created directly in the “Post” section.

Become an Collage Artist with PhotoGrid

Four-photo collage showcasing happiness on Instagram Story
After trying these options, you might feel limited—fixed templates, tedious photo-by-photo uploads, and little room for creativity. Instagram’s layouts often restrict you to basic grids, like two-photo options or a few predefined choices. If you’re not satisfied, starting over can be frustrating. This is where PhotoGrid changes the game.

Start by Selecting Your Photos

  1. Choose multiple photos all at once—no need to upload them step by step.
  2. Instantly preview different templates at the top of the screen, and swipe to explore a variety of layouts.
  3. After selecting, enter the editing page to refine your collage. Besides the basic templates, explore options like Scrapbook, Seamless, and Filmstrip.
  4. Customize further by changing backgrounds to unleash your creativity.
  5. When you’re done, upload your collage directly to Instagram and skip all the tedious editing steps.

Dive into the Collage Template Gallery

  1. Access the collage feature directly from the homepage and start by choosing a template.
  2. Select photos from your camera roll or even use high-quality images from Pexels to create your collage.
  3. After selecting, continue refining your design in the editor—swap templates or adjust the background as you like.
  4. Upload your finished collage to Instagram instantly and enjoy the seamless workflow.
Four-photo collage showcasing happiness on Instagram Story

Discover the Magic of Video Story Collage Maker 

Instagram Stories doesn’t support video collages yet, but PhotoGrid makes it effortless and fun! Select your videos and images, and with just one click, PhotoGrid crafts stunning Instagram-ready collages using gorgeous templates. Even better, you can preview your masterpiece instantly and seamlessly switch between templates to find the perfect fit—no guesswork, just pure creativity!

Tips to Make Your Picture Collage Stand Out on Instagram

Upscale your collages with Instagram’s built-in features! Add unique stickers to elevate your design. Resize or reshape your photos into hearts, circles, squares, stars, or flowers with a simple tap. Change the background color to match your vibe, or replace it with another photo for a bold look. Create dynamic, attention-grabbing collages that make your stories unforgettable!

Add Unique Stickers

Use the “Cutouts” feature in the stickers menu to extract your own portrait and add it to your collage. It’s like creating a personal logo for your photos! Plus, once created, your personal cutouts will always be available in the sticker menu for easy access, making future collages even more convenient.

Adjust Photo Shapes and Positions

Don’t assume uploaded photos are fixed in size and shape—they’re not! You can tweak their shape, resize them, and move them around to create a layout that truly reflects your creativity.

You’re Not Limited to Fixed Background Colors!

You can also select a photo from the bottom left corner in the Camera screen—the first photo you choose will become your collage background. However, keep in mind that this photo cannot be resized, so choose carefully to ensure it fits your design perfectly!

FAQ

You can use Instagram’s Layout mode by selecting the 6-grid template and adding your photos, or use collage apps like PhotoGrid for more creative layouts, resizing, and stickers to make your INS Story stand out.
You can take a quick photo as your base, then use the sticker tool to add your own photos on top. Alternatively, select the “Aa” text tool to switch to one of Instagram’s built-in background colors. Another option is to use the collage feature directly, where the background becomes a soft gradient based on your chosen photos.
Finding a free collage maker is easy-peasy! PhotoGrid is your all-in-one solution for a simple and creative tool to design beautiful collages for social media or learn how to make a collage on Instagram Story. With a wide range of templates, filters, and layouts tailored specifically for Instagram, customizing your collage has never been easier. From wedding photos to travel memories or even videos, you can edit them effortlessly and make them stand out. Whether you’re capturing travel moments on the fly or organizing photos during your daily commute, PhotoGrid is free, user-friendly, and perfect for bringing your collage ideas to life.

Conclusion

Knowing how to make a collage on Instagram Story is truly a breeze after following this step-by-step guide. While Instagram’s built-in tools provide a solid foundation, their limitations in background customization and layout options might leave you craving more creative freedom. That’s where PhotoGrid steps in—offering seamless editing with just a click, complete with various templates tailored specifically for Instagram Stories. No need to adjust formats—whether you’re relaxing on your couch or organizing your travel photos, it’s an effortless way to stay productive while cherishing your present life.