Social Media Image Size Guide 2023

Table of contents

Images are an important part of social media. According to Buzzsumo, posts with images receive 2.3 times more engagement than those without them. However, the algorithms behind every social platform process and display images differently.

Understanding image sizes and aspect ratios (see our blog on aspect ratios) and how they come across is crucial to uploading images to different social media platforms and repurposing them effectively.

There are many aspect ratios and image sizes that you need to keep in mind. This guide will show you the different aspect ratios and sizes for visuals on different social media platforms.

The importance of using the correct size

Your social media pages help shape the impression people have of your business.

Here is precisely why you need to use the right image size on the different social media platforms where you have a presence.

Ensuring good resolution

If you upload a small‑sized image, the platform will automatically stretch it to fit its preset aspect ratio, and it will lose resolution. The same happens when you upload a large‑sized image when a small‑sized image is required. The image size will shrink, and the pixel count will drop.

Using the correct image aspect ratios keeps your image from being overly or insufficiently pixelated. If you take the time to determine the right aspect ratios and sizes for your photos, you can keep the platform’s algorithms from tampering with the pixels and ensure a good rendering—thus offering a great experience to your audience.

Ensuring a professional look (across platforms)

You want to ensure a professional look for every visual creation you put out across social platforms. Now, it’s hard (if not impossible) to create and paste an image and re‑use it across all of your social networks and ensure a professional appeal. Using standard image size across platforms won’t cut it either.

If you don’t optimize the images correctly, they will get cut or stretched to fit the target platform. For this reason, you should repurpose your creations while keeping the platform’s recommended pixel sizes and aspect ratios in mind. It’ll save you any unintentional cropping and ensure all the portions and messages on your creations are evenly displayed.

Image size guide for social media platforms

It takes more than a nice shot to have good‑looking images on social media.

We’ve listed all the image size requirements for social media platforms, so you don’t have to worry about your creations appearing out of sync.

Facebook image sizes

Facebook users can access the platform on either their mobile devices or a computer, so it’s important to make sure your images are optimized for both.

Profile Photos

  • Display size: 170 x 170 pixels on desktop and 128 x 128 pixels on mobile devices.
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1

Cover Photos

  • Resolution: 820 x 312 pixels on desktop and 640 x 360 pixels on smartphones
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Facebook recommends 1200 x 628 pixels for event cover photos with the 2:1 aspect ratio

Feed

  • Recommended size: 1200 x 630 pixels
  • 1.91:1 aspect ratio
  • For carousel display, images should be 1200 x 1200 with an aspect ratio of 1.91:1

Panorama or 360 photos

  • Facebook recommends 30,000 pixels in any dimension and less than 135,000,000 pixels in total size
  • Recommended aspect ratio: 2:1

Stories

  • Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16

Ads

  • In feed: 1080 x 1080 pixels minimum. Aspect ratio of 1.91:1 to 1:1
  • In stories: 1080 x 1080 pixels. Aspect ratio 9:16

Instagram image sizes

Instagram’s specifications are closely aligned with those of Facebook. But we must note that Instagram is mobile‑purposed, and it has a keen focus on quality pictures. To make your images look their best, adhere to the following guidelines.

Profile Picture

  • Resolution: 360 x 360 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1

Feed

  • Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels
  • Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels
  • Supported aspect ratios: Anywhere between 1.91:1 and 4:5

Photo Thumbnail

  • Display size: 161 x 161 pixels
  • Recommended upload size: 1080 pixels wide

Stories

  • Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16

Carousel Image

  • Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels
  • Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: Square (1:1), vertical (4:5)

Reels

  • Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: Between 1:1 and 4:5. Reels are cropped to a 1:1 image in your profile feed and a 4:5 image in the home feed

Ads

  • In story ads: 1080 x 1920 pixels with an aspect ratio of 9:16
  • In feed ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels with an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5

TikTok image sizes

TikTok is the most frequented social platform globally. TikTok is primarily designed with mobile devices at heart. Note that only profile and thumbnail images can be uploaded to TikTok. Here are the guidelines you should follow on TikTok.

Profile Picture

  • Resolution: 200 x 200 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1

Video

  • Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16

Thumbnail

  • Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16

X image sizes

X images also need to be spot‑on if you want to drive engagement. Here is the X image size cheat sheet to help you nail this down.

Profile Photos

  • Resolution: 400 x 400
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1

Header

  • Resolution: 1500 x 500 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 3:1

Feed

  • Resolution: 1600 x 900 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: Any between 2:1 and 1:1 on desktop; 2:1, 3:4, and 16:9 on mobile

Cards

  • Use the 800 x 418 pixels resolution for a 1.91:1 aspect ratio for website card images
  • Use 800 x 800 pixels for a 1:1 aspect ratio for app card images
  • For direct message and conversation cards: 800 x 418 pixels for a 1.91:1 aspect ratio

Carousels

  • Resolution: 800 x 800 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1

Ads
The 1200 x 628 pixels resolution is recommended for single and multi‑image tweets with an aspect ratio of 1:1. Note that larger images tend to elicit better results when users click to expand the image so you can use wider ratios.

LinkedIn image sizes

LinkedIn brands itself as a social platform specifically designed to allow professionals to network. So it goes without saying that poor image quality can mean a huge churn rate for your content on the platform. Here is what you need to know before posting your images on LinkedIn.

Profile Photo

  • Resolution: 400 x 400 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1

Profile Cover Picture

  • Resolution: 1584 x 396 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 4:1

Company Page

  • Logo: 300 x 300 pixels
  • Cover image size: 1128 x 191 pixels
  • Life tab main image: 1128 x 376 pixels
  • Life tab custom modules image: 502 x 282 pixels
  • Life tab company photos image: 900 x 600 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: Always use an aspect ratio of 1.91:1

Link Image

  • Resolution: 1200 x 627 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 1.91:1

Ads

  • Resolution: 1200 x 627 pixels with the 1.91:1 aspect ratio
  • The 1080 x 1080 pixels resolution and 1:1 aspect ratio for carousel image ads

YouTube image sizes

YouTube is also designed for video content. You also need to ensure a professional look to your YouTube channel through your profile picture, thumbnail, and banner. Here is the guideline for effectively using images on YouTube.

Profile Picture

  • Resolution: 800 x 800 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1

Banner

  • Resolution: 2048 x 1152 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9

Video

  • Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels for HD and 1920 x 1080 pixels for sales and videos intended for rental
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9

Thumbnail

  • Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9

Pinterest image sizes

Pinterest is optimized for individual uploads and professional use. It is also a perfect destination for your business creatives. The following guidelines will focus on the business side of the site.

Profile Image

  • Resolution: 165 x 165 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1

Cover Photo

  • Resolution: 800 x 450 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9

Pins

  • Standard pins: 1000 × 1500 pixels
  • Square pins: 1000 x 1000 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 2:3

Collections Pins

  • Display size: 1000 x 1000 pixels or 1000 x 1500 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1 or 2:3

Story Pins

  • Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16

Ads and Carousels

  • Display size: 1000 x 1500 pixels recommended
  • Aspect ratio: Between 1:1 or 2:3

Snapchat image sizes

Snapchat is an excellent platform if you target a young audience. The app is favored by teenagers and young adults for its offbeat, playful, and creative appeal. Always use the following guidelines for maximum engagement.

Stories

  • Resolution: 1080 x 1920
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16

Ads

  • Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16

Geofilter Image

  • Resolution: 1080 x 1920
  • Aspect ratio: 9:16

Tumblr image sizes

Tumblr is a good place to be if you’re a creator. It allows creators to share their art and reach a wide audience whether they are photographers, graphic designers, cartoonists, writers. Here are the proper guidelines to follow for successful image posting on Tumblr.

Profile Photo

  • Resolution: 128 x 128 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 2:3

Banner

  • Resolution: 3000 x 1055 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9

Dashboard

  • Resolution: 1280 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 2:3

Photoset

  • Use 500 pixels wide for a single image
  • Use 245 pixels wide for a two image
  • Use 160 pixels wide for a three image

Text Post (and Shared Links)

  • Resolution for shared link images: 130 x 130 pixels
  • Resolution for text post displays: 125 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 2:3

Ads

  • Resolution: 1280 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio: 2:3

Setting up to optimize your social media accounts

Following guidelines will ensure that your images look professional and get optimal engagement on social platforms. Also, it’ll save your creations from being awkwardly cropped or from the platform adding black bars to get your images to fit their preset aspect ratios.

The truth remains that there is no ending to social media platform changes related to image and video display. Using the recommended guidelines will also future proof your content. You won’t have to recreate your photos if there are any changes.

Boost your social media presence using stock photos today!

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