Social Media Image Size Encyclopedia

Instagram

• Square post: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1)
• Portrait post: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)
• Landscape post: 1080 x 566 px (1.91:1)
• Story / Reel: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Profile photo: 320 x 320 px (1:1, displays 110x110)
• Carousel: 1080 x 1080 or 1080 x 1350
• Max file size: 30 MB (JPG/PNG)

Facebook

• Feed post: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1) or 1200 x 630 (1.91:1)
• Story: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Cover photo: 820 x 312 px (desktop), 640 x 360 (mobile)
• Profile photo: 360 x 360 px (1:1, displays 170x170)
• Link preview: 1200 x 630 px (1.91:1)
• Event cover: 1920 x 1005 px (1.91:1)
• Max file size: 30 MB (photo), 10 MB (link preview)

X (Twitter)

• Single image: 1200 x 675 px (16:9) for expanded
• Two images: 700 x 800 px each (7:8)
• Three images: 700 x 800 + 2 images at 700 x 400
• Four images: 700 x 400 px each (7:4, 2x2 grid)
• Header photo: 1500 x 500 px (3:1)
• Profile photo: 400 x 400 px (1:1)
• Max file size: 5 MB (photo), 15 MB (GIF)

LinkedIn

• Feed post image: 1200 x 627 px (1.91:1)
• Square post: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1)
• Article cover: 1200 x 644 px (1.91:1)
• Company cover: 1128 x 191 px (5.9:1)
• Profile photo: 400 x 400 px (1:1)
• Background photo: 1584 x 396 px (4:1)
• Max file size: 8 MB (image), 10 MB (document)

TikTok

• Video / Story: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Profile photo: 200 x 200 px (1:1)
• Video cover thumbnail: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• In-feed image ad: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Spark ad image: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Max file size: 28.6 MB (video), 500 MB (Pro)

YouTube

• Channel banner: 2560 x 1440 px (16:9), safe area 1546 x 423
• Video thumbnail: 1280 x 720 px (16:9), min width 640
• Profile photo: 800 x 800 px (1:1)
• Community post image: 1280 x 720 px (16:9)
• End screen: 1280 x 720 px (16:9)
• Max file size: 256 GB (video), 6 MB (thumbnail)

Pinterest

• Standard Pin: 1000 x 1500 px (2:3)
• Square Pin: 1000 x 1000 px (1:1)
• Tall Pin: 1000 x 2100 px (1:2.1, max)
• Board cover: 222 x 150 px (display)
• Profile photo: 165 x 165 px (1:1)
• Idea Pin: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Max file size: 32 MB (image), 2 GB (video)

Snapchat

• Snap / Story: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Profile photo: 1000 x 1000 px (1:1, Bitmoji)
• Ad image: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Collection ad thumbnail: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1)
• Max file size: 32 MB (image), 1 GB (video)

Why 1080px is the magic number

Instagram resizes all images to a maximum width of 1080 pixels. If you upload a 4000-pixel photo, Instagram downscales it to 1080 and applies its own compression, which often produces blurrier results than resizing yourself. If you upload smaller than 1080, Instagram upscales, which also degrades quality. The solution is always to export at exactly 1080 pixels wide before uploading.

Portrait 4:5 maximizes feed space

The 1080 x 1350 portrait format (4:5 aspect ratio) takes up the most vertical space in the Instagram feed, typically 30 percent more screen area than square posts. This translates to higher visibility and engagement. However, portrait posts are cropped to a square in profile grids, so the most important visual element should remain centered within the central 1080 x 1080 area.

Story safe zones

Instagram Stories use 1080 x 1920 (9:16), but UI elements overlap the image. The top 250 pixels contain the username, time, and mute button; the bottom 450 pixels contain the reply box, share button, and swipe-up link. Keep important content, text, and faces within the central safe zone of approximately 1080 x 1220 pixels (from y=250 to y=1470).

Carousel dimensions

Instagram carousels support both square (1080 x 1080) and portrait (1080 x 1350) formats, but all slides in a single carousel must use the same aspect ratio. Mixing formats causes Instagram to crop slides inconsistently. For product carousels, portrait 4:5 allows more detail per slide; square is better for grid consistency on your profile.

Feed post compression

Facebook compresses all uploaded images regardless of source quality. For feed posts, use 1080 x 1080 square or 1200 x 630 landscape. Facebook displays feed images at a maximum width of 470 pixels on desktop and 320 pixels on mobile, so uploading at higher resolution does not improve display quality but does reduce compression artifacts from Facebook's reprocessing.

Link preview images

When you share a link, Facebook pulls the Open Graph image. The recommended size is 1200 x 630 pixels (1.91:1). Images smaller than 600 x 315 are displayed as small thumbnails. Use the Facebook Sharing Debugger to clear cached images after updating your website's OG tags.

Cover photo safe area

Facebook cover photos display at 820 x 312 on desktop and 640 x 360 on mobile. The visible area differs between devices, so important content should be centered in the 640 x 312 safe zone. The left 180 pixels on desktop are partially obscured by the profile picture overlay on Pages.

Facebook Stories

Facebook Stories use the same 1080 x 1920 (9:16) format as Instagram Stories, with similar UI safe zones. However, Facebook Stories are displayed to a generally older demographic and have lower engagement than Instagram Stories. Cross-posting from Instagram is common but check that text and important elements remain visible in the Facebook UI.

X (Twitter) image cropping

X displays single images at 16:9 (1200 x 675) when expanded in the feed. Images with other aspect ratios are cropped to 16:9 in the timeline, though the full image is visible when clicked. For multiple images, X uses a grid layout: two images side by side (7:8 each), three images with one large and two small, and four images in a 2x2 grid (7:4 each).

X header photo

The X header photo is 1500 x 500 pixels (3:1 aspect ratio). However, the profile picture overlaps the bottom-left corner of the header on both desktop and mobile. Keep important content away from the bottom-left 300 x 300 area. The recommended format is PNG or JPG under 5 MB.

LinkedIn feed images

LinkedIn feed posts display images at a maximum width of 552 pixels. The recommended upload size is 1200 x 627 (1.91:1) for landscape or 1080 x 1080 for square. LinkedIn applies lighter compression than Facebook or Instagram, so higher quality uploads retain more detail. Images wider than 1200 pixels are downscaled; smaller images are upscaled and may appear blurry.

LinkedIn company and personal branding

Company cover photos are 1128 x 191 (a very wide 5.9:1 banner). Personal background photos are 1584 x 396 (4:1). Both are narrow banners that require careful composition to avoid important content being cropped on mobile. Profile photos should be 400 x 400 and are displayed as circles, so faces should be centered and away from edges.

TikTok vertical format

TikTok is exclusively vertical (9:16, 1080 x 1920). Video cover thumbnails are selected from a frame of the video or uploaded separately. The right side of the screen contains UI elements (like, comment, share buttons, username), so important content should be left-aligned or centered. The bottom 200 pixels contain the caption and music info.

YouTube thumbnails

YouTube video thumbnails are 1280 x 720 (16:9) with a minimum width of 640 pixels. Thumbnails are displayed at various sizes across search results, home page, and suggested videos. Use bold text, high contrast, and facial close-ups for maximum click-through rate. The file must be under 6 MB and in JPG, GIF, or PNG format.

YouTube channel banner

YouTube channel banners are 2560 x 1440 (16:9) but display differently across devices. The safe area for all devices is the central 1546 x 423 pixels. TV displays show the full 2560 x 1440; desktop shows 2560 x 423; mobile shows 1546 x 423; tablets show between these. Design important elements within the central safe zone and use the outer areas for decorative background only.

Pinterest Pin dimensions

Pinterest is a vertical-first platform. Standard Pins are 1000 x 1500 (2:3), which displays at the optimal size in feeds and search results. Tall Pins up to 1000 x 2100 (1:2.1) take more vertical space but may be truncated in some views. Square Pins (1000 x 1000) work for product shots but get less visibility than vertical formats. Pinterest applies minimal compression, so high-quality uploads are retained.

Always resize before uploading

Never upload original camera photos (typically 4000+ pixels wide) directly to social media. Every platform downscales and recompresses oversized images, often producing worse results than if you resized yourself. Export at the exact recommended dimensions for each platform to minimize quality loss from platform reprocessing.

Use JPG for photos, PNG for graphics

JPG at quality 85-90 is the best format for photographic content on all social platforms. PNG is better for screenshots, logos, and graphics with text or transparency, though file sizes are larger. WebP is not universally supported by all social platforms for upload, so stick with JPG or PNG for maximum compatibility.

Keep important content in safe zones

Every platform overlays UI elements on images: usernames, buttons, captions, and progress bars. Always keep faces, text, logos, and key visual elements within the platform's safe zone. When in doubt, center important content and avoid placing critical information within 10 percent of any edge.

Consider mobile-first composition

Over 80 percent of social media usage happens on mobile devices. Design images for mobile viewing first: use larger text, higher contrast, and simpler compositions that remain legible on small screens. What looks good on a 27-inch desktop monitor may be unreadable on a 6-inch phone screen.

Maintain brand consistency

Use consistent colors, fonts, filters, and composition styles across all platforms and posts. This builds brand recognition and makes your content instantly identifiable in crowded feeds. Create templates for each platform's dimensions to streamline your workflow and ensure consistency.

Test on actual devices

Always preview your images on actual mobile devices before posting. Desktop previews do not accurately represent how images appear on phone screens, where compression, color profiles, and screen brightness differ. Post to a private or test account first if possible, then verify appearance before publishing to your main audience.

Uploading oversized originals

Uploading a 6000-pixel DSLR photo to Instagram forces the platform to downscale to 1080 pixels and apply heavy compression. The result is often softer and more artifact-prone than if you had resized to 1080 yourself in an image editor. Always resize to the platform's exact recommended dimensions first.

Using the wrong aspect ratio

Uploading a landscape photo to an Instagram portrait post results in aggressive cropping that can cut off subjects. Uploading a square image to X results in a small, non-expanded thumbnail in the feed. Always match your image's aspect ratio to the post type and platform requirements.

Ignoring safe zones

Placing text or faces in the top 250 pixels of an Instagram Story means they will be obscured by the username and time. Placing important content in the bottom 450 pixels means it will be hidden by the reply box. Always design within safe zones and verify with platform preview tools.

Low-resolution uploads

Uploading images smaller than the platform's recommended dimensions causes upscaling, which makes images appear blurry and pixelated. This is common with screenshots, downloaded images, and older photos. If your source image is too small, find a higher resolution version rather than upscaling.

Forgetting about color profiles

Social platforms strip color profiles and convert to sRGB. Images saved in Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB may appear dull or desaturated when uploaded. Always export in sRGB color space for social media to ensure colors display correctly across all devices and browsers.

Over-editing before upload

Applying heavy filters, excessive sharpening, or high saturation before upload compounds with platform compression to produce unnatural-looking images. Keep editing moderate and remember that platforms will apply their own processing. A slightly conservative edit often looks better after platform compression than an aggressive one.

What is the best image format for social media?

JPG at quality 85-90 is the best all-around format for photographic content on all social platforms. It produces small file sizes with good visual quality. Use PNG only for images with text, logos, screenshots, or transparency needs. Avoid WebP for uploads as not all platforms accept it.

Do I need different images for each platform?

Ideally yes. Each platform has different dimensions, aspect ratios, compression behavior, and UI overlays. A single 1080 x 1080 square image can work across platforms but will not be optimal for any. Creating platform-specific versions ensures your images look their best everywhere.

How do I know if my image is the right size?

Check the image dimensions in your file explorer or image editor (right-click, Properties/Info). Compare against the platform's recommended dimensions. If your image is larger, resize it down; if smaller, find a higher resolution source. Most platforms accept slightly different sizes but will crop or compress non-standard dimensions.

Why do my uploaded images look blurry?

Blurriness after upload is usually caused by: (1) uploading at the wrong resolution (too small or too large), (2) platform compression being heavier than expected, (3) the image being upscaled from a low-resolution source, or (4) excessive sharpening that creates halos. Resize to exact dimensions and use moderate compression settings.

Can I use the same image for feed and stories?

No. Feed images use square (1:1) or portrait (4:5) formats, while stories use vertical (9:16). Using a feed image in a story results in large black bars on the sides and tiny image size. Create separate story versions with the subject centered and important content in safe zones.

What resolution should profile pictures be?

Upload profile pictures at the highest resolution the platform accepts: 320 x 320 for Instagram, 360 x 360 for Facebook, 400 x 400 for X and LinkedIn, 800 x 800 for YouTube. All platforms display profile pictures as circles, so keep faces centered and away from edges. Use a high-contrast, recognizable image that works at small sizes.

What is the best image size for Instagram posts?

Instagram supports square (1080x1080), portrait (1080x1350), and landscape (1080x566) posts. Portrait 4:5 (1080x1350) takes up the most screen space and typically gets the highest engagement. Always upload at 1080px wide to avoid Instagram compression.

What size should Facebook Open Graph images be?

Facebook recommends Open Graph images at 1200x630 pixels (1.91:1 ratio). This ensures your shared links display with a large preview image. Keep file size under 8MB and use JPG or PNG format. Test with Facebook Sharing Debugger.

What is the Twitter Card image size?

Twitter summary card images should be 1200x675 pixels (16:9 ratio). For large image cards, use 1200x675 as well. Keep file under 5MB. Use JPG, PNG, or WebP. Always include twitter:card and twitter:image meta tags.

What size should LinkedIn images be?

LinkedIn shared link images should be 1200x627 pixels (1.91:1 ratio). For image posts, use 1200x627 for landscape or 1080x1350 for portrait. Company cover photos should be 1128x191 pixels. PNG or JPG under 5MB.

Do social media platforms compress uploaded images?

Yes, all major platforms compress images to reduce storage and bandwidth. To minimize quality loss, upload images at the exact recommended dimensions, use sRGB color profile, and save at 80-85% JPG quality. Avoid uploading overly large files that get heavily compressed.

What are the correct Instagram image sizes for 2026?

Instagram: square posts 1080x1080 (1:1), portrait 1080x1350 (4:5, recommended for max feed space), landscape 1080x566 (1.91:1), Stories/Reels 1080x1920 (9:16), profile picture 320x320. Upload at 1080px minimum; Instagram compresses larger uploads, so matching recommended dimensions minimizes quality loss.

What size should Facebook images be?

Facebook: shared link images (Open Graph) 1200x630 (1.91:1), feed post images 1200x630 landscape or 1080x1350 portrait, event cover 1200x628, page cover 1640x856 (displays 820x312 on desktop), profile picture 170x170. Keep text under 20% of ad images to avoid reach penalties.

What are the Twitter/X image dimensions?

Twitter/X: in-feed images 1200x675 (16:9) for single images, supports up to 4 images per tweet, header/banner 1500x500, profile picture 400x400. Card images for links should be 1200x675. Images under 5MB (JPG/PNG); GIFs have separate limits. Tall images may be cropped in feed to 16:9.

What image sizes work best for LinkedIn?

LinkedIn: shared link images 1200x627 (1.91:1), single image posts 1200x1200 or 1200x627, company page cover 1128x191, personal profile banner 1584x396, profile photo 400x400. Professional, high-quality images perform best; avoid heavy text overlays on LinkedIn content.

How do I make one image work across all platforms?

Start with a 1200x630 base (works for Facebook OG, Twitter cards, LinkedIn links). Keep critical content (text, faces, logos) in a central safe zone away from edges to survive different crops. For Instagram, create a separate 1080x1350 portrait version. Maintain templates per platform and export fresh copies rather than reusing platform-compressed images.