Always up to date: social media image sizes

Looking for social media image sizes? This is the definitive list you’ve been looking for.
hiker in front of lake and mountain

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Table of Contents

A deep dive into image sizes for top platforms, plus a handy free cheatsheet.

It would be great if you could take a photo, edit it to perfection and upload it to social media without a second thought, but image size matters. If you get it wrong, the shot could end up looking less than professional.

To make matters worse, social media platforms change image size requirements regularly. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with this up-to-date guide to every social media image size you need to know.

What size should social media images be?

The bad news is, each social platform has its own set of image size requirements. Some are best in a square ratio, others are best in portrait, and others require landscape.

But on the plus side, with our simple guide, you’ll always have the right size at your fingertips. And with a bit of practice, resizing your images will become second nature.

What resolution is best for social media?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all resolution for social media as each platform has unique guidelines. Social media platforms will automatically resize images when you post, but this can compromise content and quality. So it’s always best to edit your shots to the right resolution before you upload. (Scroll down for how to resize shots using free or paid apps.)

The resolution of a photo refers to the quality of the image. All digital images consist of pixels. The more there are, the higher the resolution. If a picture is very low on pixels, then it will become ‘pixelated’ – i.e. it won’t be sharp.

As SmartFrame explains, the resolution of an image is expressed as a horizontal x vertical measurement. The higher the numbers, the higher the resolution.

Image sizes for social media platforms
Below is a run down of all the image sizes required for the best-known social media platforms:

Facebook image sizes

Your Facebook photos speak volumes about your brand and it’s worth taking time to get them right. There are several variations when it comes to Facebook image size, so make sure you’re looking at the right category, i.e. banner image, profile picture, or post update. Complications arise because people view the platform using different devices, e.g. a PC with a wide horizontal screen or a mobile phone with a smaller vertical screen.

  • Cover photo – 820 x 312 pixels (desktop), 640 x 360 (mobile) 
  • Profile photo – 180 x 180 pixels (desktop), 140 x 140 (mobile)
  • Banner – 1200 x 630 pixels
  • Link/update image – 1200 x 638 pixels
  • Event cover image – 1200 x 638 pixels
  • Groups cover photo – 1640 x 662 pixels (desktop), 1640 x 859 pixels (mobile)
  • Facebook ads – 1200 x 628 pixels 

facebook image sizes diagram

As you can see, the sizes are slightly different for desktop and mobile. You’ll want to make sure the main focus of your image sits within the smaller mobile size, otherwise it’ll be cropped out when the platform automatically resizes the image. 

To ensure that users on all platforms can view your content with ease, Social Pilot suggests using a cover size 820 x 360 with any important elements within a 640 x 312 zone. 

To maximise your Facebook marketing, take a look at our customer journey map. 

Instagram image sizes 

As Instagram is a purely visual channel, getting your picture sizing spot on is vital. 

  • Profile picture – 110 x 110 pixels
  • Feed photograph – 1080 x 1080 pixels
  • Thumbnail – 161 x 161 pixels
  • Story – 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels (with aspect ratio 9:16)

instagram image size diagram

According to Hootsuite, Instagram Reels should be:

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels (they will be cropped to a 1:1 ratio in your profile feed and a 4:5 ratio on the home feed). 

What size JPEG is best for instagram?

Photographs posted onto your Instagram feed should be at least 1080 x 1080 pixels.

If you want to ace this social media platform, check out our comprehensive Instagram marketing guide

Twitter image sizes 

On this busy platform, you need to make sure your tweets and page stand out, so picture quality is paramount. Use separate photos for your profile and the cover shot.

  • Profile – 400 x 400 pixels (file size less than 2 MB)
  • Cover photo size – 1500 x 500 pixels (file size less than 5 MB)
  • Shared image – 900 x 450 pixels
  • In-stream photo – 440 x 220 pixels
  • File size – 10 MB (max)
  • Recommended file type – JPEG, GIF, or PNG file 
  • You can tweet up to four images in each post
 
Brandwatch recommends using the maximum image sizes for Twitter to futureproof your posts.

twitter image size diagram

LinkedIn image sizes

As LinkedIn is a professional network, you need to strike the right tone and sum up your brand in the banner and cover image. It goes without saying that you need to look your best in the profile shot, so it’s worth paying for a professional photographer.

  • Personal profile – 400 x 400 pixels
  • Cover image – 1584 x 396 pixels

linkedin profile image sizes diagram

Company page:

  • Logo – 300 x 300 pixels (min); 400 x 400 pixels (max); File size: 4 MB (max)
  • Cover – 1128 x 191 pixels
  • Blog post – 1350 x 440 pixels
  • File size – 10 MB (max)
  • Supported file type – JPEG, GIF or PNG 

linkedin company profile image size diagram

YouTube

For YouTube success, you’ll need to make sure your photos and your videos are perfectly sized.

  • Channel cover – 2560 x 1440 pixels
  • Channel icon – 800 x 800 pixels

youtube image size diagram

Video uploads: 16:9 ratio

With the fixed ratio, you can upload video in a number of resolutions: 

  • 4K – 3840 x 2160 pixels
  • 2K – 2560 x 1440 pixels
  • 1080p (HD) – 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • 720p (HD) – 1280 x 720 pixels
  • 480p – 854 x 480 pixels
  • 360p – 640 x 360 pixels
  • 240p – 426 x 240 pixels
  • 144p – 256 x 144 pixels

Use an up-to-date version of your browser to make it easier to upload files greater than 20 GB. The maximum file size for YouTube is 128 GB.

Pinterest

It’s vital that you use the right size images for boards and pins, and your profile image needs to be something linked with your brand.

Social Pilot recommend the following sizes for Pinterest:

  • Profile – 165 x 165 pixels
  • Pins – 236 x adjustable height
  • Vertical pins – 2:3 ratio recommended
  • Board image – 222 x 150 pixels

Pinterest supports JPEG and PNG for profile pictures.

pinterest image size diagram

TikTok 

It’s all about getting the video right with TikTok. According to Hootsuite, it needs to be 1080 x 1920 and your profile picture should be at least 20 x 20 pixels (we recommend going larger but keeping the 1:1 aspect ratio). 

The ideal aspect ratio for TikTok videos is 1:1 or 9:16.

social media image size diagram

WeChat 

As this platform is for mobile devices, your profile picture is important as it will enable users to identify you or your brand in an instant. According to Designs.ai, picture size recommendations are as follows: 

  • Profile – 200 x 200 pixels
  • Article preview header  – 900 x 500 pixels (min file size 2MB)
  • Thumbnail – 400 x 400 pixels
  • Inline article image – width 400 pixels, file less than 2MB

Tumblr

This customisable social media platform allows you to share anything, and while your profile picture doesn’t feature heavily, it’s still worth getting it right. 

Social Pilot recommends the following social media photos sizes for Tumblr:

  • Profile – 128 x 128 pixels
  • Post – 500 x 750 pixels
  • Images cannot exceed 10MB
  • GIFs should be no more than 500 pixels

Snapchat

Hootsuite recommends the following social media sizes for Snapchat:

  • Ad images – a minimum of 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Max file size – 5MB
  • JPEG or PNG
  • Geofilter image – 1808 x 1920

Google My Business

Sprout Social recommends the following sizes of logo, cover photo, and business photo for your Google My Business profile:

  • Recommended resolution – 720 x 720 pixels
  • Minimum resolution – 250 x 250 pixels
  • File size maximum – 5 MB
  • Format – JPEG or PNG

man on mountain edge drinking from bottle

Quick guide to social media photo sizes

Short of time? Social Pilot has summarised the main platforms’ required image sizes as follows. (While this is a quick and handy guide, we do recommend checking the exact sizes above if you’re posting on a channel regularly).

  • Facebook image size – 1200 x 628 pixels
  • Twitter image size – 900 x 450 pixels
  • Instagram size – 1080 x 1080 pixels
  • LinkedIn size – 1350 x 440 pixels
  • Pinterest size – pin size: 236 pixels x adjustable height; 2:3 ratio for vertical pins (recommended). Board image size: 222 x 150 pixels
  • Snapchat – 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Tumblr – 500 x 750 pixels
  • WeChat – profile 200 x 200 and article preview 400 x 400, according to Designs.ai
  • Google my business – 720 x 720, according to Sprout Social 
  • TikTok – 1080 x 1920 pixels 

Make life easier and save time with social media management tools, many of which will do all your picture resizing for you. 

How do I check the resolution of my photos?

You can check the number of pixels in the image metadata. Right click on the image and select ‘Get Info’ on a Mac or right-click on the picture and select ‘Properties’ on a PC. 

Is JPEG or PNG better for social media? 

You can use either a JPEG or a PNG for social media, but according to Idea Marketing, a PNG gives you a sharper image. You can also use a transparent background and other effects with a PNG, but it might take up more storage space on your device and download times can be longer. 

Does Instagram prefer JPEG or PNG?

According to Wastedtalentinc, Instagram prefers JPEGs but also supports PNGs, BMPs and non-animated GIFs. 

How do I resize a photo to fit social media platforms (free and paid)?

If your photo doesn’t fit the required dimensions for a social media platform, you can resize it quickly and painlessly with the right software or app. The following are easy to use and will cover all your image resizing needs: 

  • Lifewire recommends Resizing App. It’s free, easy to use, and offers a range of resize options
  • You can resize images for free with Adobe Express. All you need to do is upload a JPEG or PNG onto their server, choose a resize template and download
  • Image Size is a free app that works on Android and iPhone. You can select a multitude of measurements from pixels to centimetres, and adjust the aspect ratio with a click
  • FounderJar recommends BeFunky, which allows you to resize your images, apply layers and filters, and add effects. It costs $4.99 a month
  • FixThePhoto app is free and can handle everything from quick resizing through to deleting objects, retouching, and make-up enhancement. 

FAQs

How often do social media platforms typically update their image size requirements?

Social media platforms frequently update their image size requirements to accommodate new features, design changes, and technological advancements. These updates can occur several times a year, depending on the platform.

Major updates often align with platform redesigns or the introduction of new content types. To stay current, it’s essential to regularly check the official guidelines of each platform or subscribe to updates from reputable sources that track these changes.

Are there specific tools or software recommended for creating and editing social media images to fit these dimensions?

Yes, there are several tools and software designed to help create and edit social media images to fit specific dimensions. Popular options include Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for advanced editing, Canva for user-friendly, template-based design, and GIMP as a free alternative to Photoshop.

Additionally, tools like Fotor, Snappa, and PicMonkey offer easy-to-use interfaces with preset social media dimensions. These tools help ensure your images meet platform specifications and maintain high quality.

What are the best practices for ensuring image quality and resolution are maintained across different devices and screen sizes?

To maintain image quality and resolution across various devices and screen sizes, use high-resolution images and follow these best practices:

  1. Save images in formats that preserve quality, such as PNG or high-quality JPEG.
  2. Use vector graphics for logos and icons, as they scale without losing quality.
  3. Design images with a responsive layout in mind, ensuring they look good on both small and large screens.
  4. Compress images appropriately to balance quality and load times, using tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim.
  5. Test images on different devices to ensure they display correctly and adjust as needed.

Mastered image sizing and ready to roll? Make sure your social media strategy is on point and that you know how to use analytics

Get started on your social media campaign with Vamp. It’s ideal for personal or business brands , and there’s a subscription to suit every budget. We’re also official Meta partners. 

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