Instagram has changed its logo. More specifically, it has updated the text above the feed—the so-called wordmark—for the first time in ten years. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri unveiled the redesigned version on August 13, 2026, on Instagram and Threads, describing it as sharper and more modern. For now, the app icon—the colorful gradient square on the home screen—remains unchanged.
TL;DR: The new Instagram logo in a nutshell
- On August 13, 2026, Instagram unveiled a new logo—its first since 2016.
- The new typeface is more compact and bolder, and the letters “s,” “r,” and “g” appear significantly rounder than before.
- The app icon remains unchanged, but the color gradient will be used more sparingly in the future.
- The brand refresh includes three typeface families: Instagram Sans, Instagram Pen, and Instagram Mono.
- Reactions have been mixed, and the mocking nickname “Instagzam” is already making the rounds on social media.
What’s Changing Specifically About the Instagram Logo
Since 2016, the Instagram lettering has featured a casual, handwritten-looking italic style. That’s exactly what’s disappearing now. The new typeface is more compact, bolder, and connects the letters more closely. Particularly noticeable: the “s” takes on a more curved shape, and the “r” looks so different in the new version that it’s causing confusion online—more on that in a moment.
The change specifically affects only the logo. The camera icon with the pink-orange gradient, which Instagram introduced in 2016, remains unchanged. According to Instagram, however, the brand’s signature color gradient will be used more sparingly in the brand’s overall visual identity going forward.
| Element | Previously (since 2016) | New (starting in 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Logo | Handwritten-looking, loose italic style | A more compact, bolder font with more connected letters |
| App icon | Pink-orange gradient camera | Unchanged |
| Color gradient | Consistently prominent in the brand identity | Used more sparingly |
| Font families | Instagram Sans | Instagram Sans (revised), Instagram Pen, Instagram Mono |
| Rollout | – | Gradual, phased rollout worldwide throughout 2026 |
Why Instagram Is Redesigning Its Wordmark After Ten Years
Instagram explains the move by noting that the old typeface has become outdated after a decade of use. However, with approximately 3 billion monthly active users as of September 2025, the Instagram logo is no longer just any design detail—it’s something most people around the world see every day. A change at this level has a corresponding impact far beyond the app itself—from the home screen to advertisements to press materials.
The new wordmark is part of a larger rebranding effort. In addition to the updated Instagram Sans, the company is introducing two additional typeface families: Instagram Pen, a handwritten variant, and Instagram Mono, a monospace font. The redesign follows similar updates that Meta previously implemented for Facebook and Threads, bringing Instagram’s visual identity closer to the rest of the Meta family.
“Instagzam”: How the Internet Is Reacting to the New Logo
On platforms like Reddit, X, and Threads, the new wordmark has been the subject of extensive discussion since the announcement, with mixed reactions. A recurring joke: At first glance, the new typeface looks more like “Instagzam” because the “r” has been altered so drastically. Other users compare the curved shape of the “s” to a small sailboat. Some miss the familiar italic style of the past decade, while others find the new design cleaner and more contemporary.
Meta has not yet commented on whether the wordmark change will be followed by a new app icon in the foreseeable future. However, given the flurry of design changes on Facebook, Threads, and now Instagram, some observers aren’t ruling that out for the future.
When You’ll See the New Design
The new wordmark won’t be rolled out worldwide all at once, but rather gradually throughout 2026—in the app, on the website, and in official materials. So if you don’t see the new logo in your Instagram app yet, you’ll just have to be patient.
Conclusion
Instagram’s new logo is a relatively small change with a wide-reaching impact: The app icon remains unchanged, but the redesigned lettering will soon appear everywhere Instagram is visible as a brand. Whether the mockers will prevail with their “Instagzam” jokes or the new wordmark will simply catch on remains to be seen once the global rollout is complete in the coming months.
Sources: AndroidHeadlines, TechCrunch,
