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No two social media platforms have the same image size requirements. Here’s a comprehensive guide on social media image sizes in 2024.
If you’re not using social media to grow your brand awareness, improve brand sentiment, and build a community of loyal followers, you should be.
With more social platforms popping up every month, there are more ways than ever to connect with your customers and prospects via engaging content.
But before you start posting at will, it’s important to note that no two social platforms have the exact same rules for image sizes.
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to size social media images for the social networks that matter.
Let’s get into it.
As the largest social network in the world, Facebook has proven itself to be a powerful mechanism for connecting with today’s consumers.
It’s also a highly visual channel where images can be used to both present your brand and engage in authentic storytelling.
From how you present your company’s profile to the types of images you share to your feed and your Facebook Stories, ensuring your images are up to spec is key.
Your Facebook profile picture will be cropped to appear as a circle, so make sure to keep your photo’s subject or logo within “safe zones” so nothing gets cropped out.
Display size differs depending on the device:
If your profile photo features a logo or text, a PNG file might give you the best results.
You have more room to get creative with your cover photo, as it’s much larger than your profile picture. But that also means you need the resolution right, or your image might appear stretched.
Display size differs depending on the device:
Your cover photo will load fastest as an sRGB JPG file that’s less than 100 kilobytes.
Like with your Facebook profile photo, you’ll likely get better results using a PNG file if your cover photo features a logo or text.
While the landscape format above is the recommended image size, you can also post in other image orientations:
Read more about Facebook marketing.
Probably the most visual social network of them all, Instagram is beloved by brands and consumers alike.
The very nature of the platform – which centers around sharing photos and videos – has made it extremely popular for visual storytelling, and its reputation for pioneering new features (like Instagram Stories) has cemented it as a space to watch.
Creating a polished profile is the first step to succeeding on Instagram. From there, you’ll want to experiment with different post types – such as Instagram Stories, Instagram Reels, and even photo carousels – to see what your audience finds most engaging.
Like with Facebook, your Instagram profile picture will appear as a circle, so be mindful of what will get cropped out of the edges.
Unlike some platforms, your followers can’t click to expand your Instagram profile image, so make sure it can be clearly seen as it is.
When sharing a photo to your Instagram feed, you have several different orientation options to choose from.
The best choice will depend on the content itself – but always keep in mind that you should optimize for a mobile-first audience.
Recommended image sizes:
For best results, Instagram recommends uploading images with a width of 1080 pixels and a height of between 566 and 1350 pixels, depending on the aspect ratio you’re looking for. If you share a photo at a lower resolution than that, Instagram will enlarge it. Similarly, if you share a photo at a higher resolution, it will be cropped.
Instagram stories are ephemeral, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put effort into uploading photos your viewers will love.
Reels have the same sizing and dimensions as Instagram Stories.
Read more about Instagram marketing.
X (formerly Twitter) is a platform of short, succinct tweets – but it’s also about images!
Adding photos and videos to your posts can be a great way to provide your audience with additional content or tell a deeper story – and often, this can make for more engaging content.
Like with other platforms, using imagery to create a profile that visually reflects your brand will also aid in fostering brand recognition with X users.
The maximum file size for profile photos on X is 2 MB, so make sure your image doesn’t exceed this.
Don’t forget that your profile photo will be circular, as with many other social media platforms.
Aim to get as close to the recommended image size as possible here in order to minimize the likelihood that your header photo will appear blurred or stretched.
Be mindful that your header will appear differently depending on the device on which it is viewed, so it helps to take a look on both desktop and mobile after you’ve uploaded yours.
While 1600 x 900px is the ideal size to ensure that nothing is cropped out of your picture in the in-feed preview, you can also upload in different resolutions:
Aspect ratios will be optimized differently depending on the device. X recommends using 2:1 or 1:1 on desktop or 2:1, 3:4, 5:4, or 16:9 on mobile.
Other factors you should consider for X in-stream photos:
Read more about X (formerly Twitter) marketing.
LinkedIn has cornered the market as the go-to social media network for professional networking.
But it’s more than just a place for recruiters and job seekers to connect; it’s a space where businesses and individuals can build their brands, share their stories, and connect with like-minded people.
Uploading high-quality images, both in your profile elements and in the content you share, is paramount in presenting professionally on LinkedIn – so make sure you adhere to recommended sizing.
You can also upload images in other dimensions, such as:
Read more about LinkedIn marketing.
TikTok has quickly risen among the ranks as one of the most popular video-sharing social media apps.
While it goes without saying that you should understand the correct sizing for any videos you upload to TikTok, it’s also important to know the right sizing for other content elements on the platform – such as your profile photo, and any carousel images you might want to post.
Getting these right will lead to more engagement with your target audience.
For best results, you should aim for a 9:16 or 1:1 aspect ratio for TikTok carousels, but uploading images with a 4:5 ratio is also possible.
Read more about TikTok marketing.
Visuals are core to the Pinterest platform, as it’s primarily a place for users to discover things – from recipes to home decor ideas and more.
For brands, Pinterest is a great place to connect with your ideal audience through content that inspires them and catches their eye. It’s also a powerful tool for sharing your products and encouraging people who were previously unaware of your brand to become customers.
So, naturally, you want to make sure your Pinterest images are top-notch.
Read more about Pinterest marketing.
As the world’s leading video-sharing platform, YouTube has become a staple platform for social media users.
And while uploading exceptional videos is the goal, there are also other ways you can set yourself up for success on YouTube – such as in your public-facing profile.
Read more about YouTube marketing.
The leader in ephemeral content, Snapchat is still popular among younger social users.
The app focuses heavily on vertical image content in a 9:16 aspect ratio, and you’ll find that reflected across several of its features.
Read more about Snapchat marketing.
Social media is a competitive space, with many brands and creators vying for audiences’ attention.
To pique the interest of social users, it’s crucial to put your best foot forward in your content – and that means sharing visuals tailored to that platform’s specifications.
If you don’t resize your images to meet the requirements of each channel, they may end up looking pixelated, stretched, awkwardly cropped, or just plain low-quality, which won’t encourage people to engage with your content.
Beyond that, each platform’s algorithm will typically reward you for posting optimized and engaging content, which will help it gain even more traction.
Looking to resize images for social but don’t know where to start? Here are a few common tools you can use:
Sizing your images correctly for all your social profiles is a simple step to ensure you optimize your social media presence.
Now that you have all the necessary details on recommended sizing across each platform and the right tools to help you edit your photos, nothing should stop you from sharing high-quality content on social media!
The next step is figuring out exactly what stories you want to tell and how to provide valuable and engaging content to your audience.
Good luck!
More Resources:
Featured Image: Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock
Correctly sizing images for different social media platforms is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that your visual content looks professional, crisp, and clear, without any pixelation or awkward cropping. Adhering to each platform’s particular image size requirements guarantees that your images are displayed as intended, in their best form. This attention to detail can significantly impact user engagement, as better-quality images are more likely to attract likes, shares, and comments.
Furthermore, using optimized images can also benefit you algorithmically; social platforms often prioritize well-optimized content in their feeds, which can lead to increased visibility and reach for your posts. By aligning with platform standards, you’re providing the best user experience for your audience and potentially enhancing the performance of your content in terms of engagement and platform support.
While you might be able to use the same image across various social media platforms, it’s recommended to adjust the size of your profile photo to meet the specific dimensions suggested by each platform. This practice is because different social networks may display profile pictures in various shapes (like circles or squares) and sizes. Using the optimal size ensures that your profile image appears clear, well-composed, and correctly framed within the platform’s allotted profile photo space.
It’s essential to note that while the content of your profile photo—the branding element or your headshot—might remain consistent, the dimensions and potential cropping needed to fit each platform’s requirements will likely differ. For instance, a photo used for LinkedIn at 400 x 400 pixels may need to be resized for Instagram’s recommended 320 x 320 pixels size to prevent unexpected cropping and to ensure that the image
Writer, digital marketer, and content strategist. Annabelle has 8+ years of experience in social marketing, copywriting, and storytelling for best-in-class …
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