Export an Instagram carousel at 1200 x 1200 instead of 1080 x 1080 and watch what happens. In Canva it looks crisp. On Instagram, the compression algorithm mangles the text overlays into pixelated mush. Repost the exact same creative at the right dimensions and it looks clean again. Same copy, same hashtags, same images. The only change is the pixel count.
That is the whole reason this page exists. Image sizes feel cosmetic. They are not. Get them wrong and the platform re-compresses, crops, or downranks your post before anyone gets a chance to react to it.
I keep this as a living reference and update it when a platform changes its specs, which happens more than you would think. Bookmark it. The tables are the part you actually came for, so they are below, by platform.
Why the wrong size hurts more than it looks
Every major platform runs your image through a transcoding pipeline before it shows up in a feed. Three things go wrong when the dimensions are off.
Re-compression stacks up. The platform resizes your image to fit its display size, which adds compression artifacts. Then it compresses again for mobile delivery. Upload at the right size and the platform only has to compress once. Upload oversized and your audience sees the result of two or three passes.
Cropping eats your content. Wrong aspect ratio means the platform either letterboxes with bars (which reads as a mistake) or crops hard. Hard crops slice off faces, text, and logos, usually the parts you cared about most.
Mobile is where it shows. The vast majority of social usage is on phones. An image that looks fine on a 27-inch monitor can render with unreadable text or a chopped face at mobile resolution, and that is the version most people see.
There is also a quieter cost. People rarely think "wrong aspect ratio," but they feel that something is off, and that feeling shows up as a quick scroll-past. Low early engagement tells the algorithm the post is not worth pushing. The fix is the cheapest one in marketing: start with the right dimensions.
This plays out as wrecked reach all the time. A LinkedIn profile banner stretched into a blurry logo, so every visitor sees "amateur" before reading a word. A Facebook product ad auto-cropped to square that slices a model's face in half before anyone notices. A YouTube channel where the thumbnails look great at full size and say nothing at the 320 x 180 they actually display at. None of these are edge cases. They are what happens when dimensions are an afterthought.
Instagram image sizes (2026)
Instagram is the most dimension-sensitive feed platform. It compresses aggressively, so starting from the correct specs matters more here than almost anywhere else. One thing worth knowing: portrait posts (4:5) take up noticeably more vertical space in the feed than square posts, which means more time in view before a scroll. That tends to lift engagement when the content is otherwise equal.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square feed post | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | 30 MB | Safe universal format |
| Portrait feed post | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | 30 MB | Most feed real estate |
| Landscape feed post | 1080 x 566 | 1.91:1 | 30 MB | Least common, smallest footprint |
| Story | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 30 MB | Keep text in the center 75% |
| Reel cover | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 30 MB | Displays cropped to 1:1 in grid |
| Carousel (per slide) | 1080 x 1080 or 1080 x 1350 | 1:1 or 4:5 | 30 MB | All slides must match ratio |
| Profile photo | 320 x 320 | 1:1 | - | Displays as circle, centered crop |
| Highlight cover | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | - | Center-cropped to circle |
Story safe zone. Instagram's UI stacks the account name and icons at the top and interactive elements at the bottom. Keep faces, text, and CTAs inside the center 75% of the frame. The top 200px and bottom 300px are risky.
Carousel rule. Mix 1:1 and 4:5 slides and Instagram crops every slide to the ratio of the first one. Pick a ratio and commit to it for the whole carousel.
TikTok image sizes (2026)
TikTok is video-first, but photo carousels have grown a lot since the 2024 expansion. The algorithm treats them as their own category and tends to surface them to non-followers, much like the For You feed does for video.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video (full screen) | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Standard TikTok format |
| Video thumbnail | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Custom or auto-generated from video |
| Photo carousel slide | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Up to 35 images per post |
| Photo carousel (landscape) | 1920 x 1080 | 16:9 | Portrait and landscape can't mix |
| Profile photo | 200 x 200 min | 1:1 | Shown as circle at ~100 x 100px |
| Cover image | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Pick a video frame or upload |
Safe zone. The username, caption, sound name, and action buttons sit along the bottom-right. Keep the right 150px and bottom 400px clear of text and key visuals.
Go vertical. Vertical 9:16 carousels feel native and get the reach. Landscape 16:9 carousels exist but underperform; the format feels off on TikTok.
LinkedIn image sizes (2026)
LinkedIn has the most distinct formats once you count personal profiles, company pages, articles, newsletters, and events. Getting them wrong costs more here because the audience reads visual polish as a stand-in for professional credibility.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single image post (square) | 1200 x 1200 | 1:1 | 10 MB | Clean feed display |
| Portrait image post | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | 10 MB | More feed space |
| Landscape image post | 1200 x 628 | 1.91:1 | 10 MB | Good for infographics |
| Personal profile banner | 1584 x 396 | 4:1 | 8 MB | ~1584 x 396 on desktop |
| Company page banner | 1128 x 191 | 5.9:1 | 8 MB | Crops on mobile; center key content |
| Personal profile photo | 400 x 400 | 1:1 | 8 MB | Displays as circle |
| Company logo | 300 x 300 | 1:1 | 4 MB | Square, no circle crop |
| Article cover image | 1200 x 644 | 1.91:1 | 10 MB | Shows in article header and feed |
| Event cover | 1600 x 900 | 16:9 | 10 MB | Large format |
| Newsletter cover | 1280 x 720 | 16:9 | 10 MB | Header for the newsletter page |
| Document/carousel slide | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | 100 MB per file | PDF documents display in-feed |
Company banner trap. The banner crops differently on desktop (full width) and mobile (a narrower center crop). If your company name or logo sits off-center, it vanishes on mobile for a chunk of your audience. Center the important elements.
Twitter/X image sizes (2026)
X has expanded media since the rebrand. Premium accounts can upload longer video and higher-quality images, but the base image specs are the same for everyone.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-stream image (landscape) | 1600 x 900 | 16:9 | 5 MB | Most consistent across devices |
| In-stream image (portrait) | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | 5 MB | More feed presence |
| In-stream image (square) | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | 5 MB | Universal fallback |
| Profile photo | 400 x 400 | 1:1 | 2 MB | Displays as circle |
| Header/banner | 1500 x 500 | 3:1 | 5 MB | Some right-side crop on mobile |
| Card image (link preview) | 800 x 418 | 1.91:1 | 5 MB | Auto-generated from Open Graph tags |
Multi-image crops. Two images sit side by side, each cropped to roughly 1:1. Three images give the left one a 4:5 display and crop the right two. Four images show as a 2x2 grid at 1:1. If you post multiple images, design for these crops on purpose.
Link previews. The card image is pulled from your site's og:image tag. No proper OG image means X generates a low-quality thumbnail, and that hits every link you ever share. Fix the OG image first.
Facebook image sizes (2026)
Facebook supports the widest range of contexts: feed posts, Stories, Reels, groups, events, ads, Pages, and Marketplace. Each has its own optimal dimensions.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed image (landscape) | 1200 x 630 | 1.91:1 | 30 MB | Default link share format |
| Feed image (square) | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | 30 MB | Best for standalone posts |
| Feed image (portrait) | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | 30 MB | More feed real estate |
| Story | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 30 MB | 14s display time |
| Page cover photo | 820 x 312 | 2.63:1 | 30 MB | 820 x 462 on mobile |
| Group cover photo | 1640 x 856 | 1.91:1 | 30 MB | Differs desktop vs mobile |
| Profile photo (personal) | 176 x 176 | 1:1 | 30 MB | Displays as circle |
| Profile photo (page) | 196 x 196 | 1:1 | 30 MB | Displays as circle |
| Event cover | 1200 x 628 | 1.91:1 | 30 MB | Consistent across contexts |
| Link preview (OG image) | 1200 x 628 | 1.91:1 | 30 MB | Pulled from og:image meta tag |
| Reels cover | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 30 MB | Cropped to 1:1 in grid |
| Marketplace listing | 1200 x 900 | 4:3 | 30 MB | First image is primary |
Page cover trap. Facebook shows the Page cover at 820 x 312 on desktop and 640 x 360 on mobile, a different aspect ratio entirely. Keep the essentials in a center 640 x 312 zone that survives both crops.
YouTube image sizes (2026)
YouTube is a video platform, but the static images (thumbnails, channel art, profile photos) drive a huge share of clicks. The thumbnail in particular decides whether people watch.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video thumbnail | 1280 x 720 | 16:9 | 2 MB | JPG or PNG; min 640 x 360 |
| Channel profile photo | 800 x 800 | 1:1 | 4 MB | Shown at 98 x 98px in most views |
| Channel banner (desktop) | 2560 x 1440 | 16:9 | 6 MB | Safe zone: center 1546 x 423px |
| Channel banner (TV) | 2560 x 1440 | 16:9 | 6 MB | Full banner is visible on TV |
| Shorts thumbnail | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 2 MB | Vertical only |
| End screen element | 1280 x 720 | 16:9 | 2 MB | Matches standard thumbnail |
Banner safe zone. This is the biggest trap on YouTube. The banner crops wildly by device: full 2560 x 1440 on TV, roughly 2560 x 423 on desktop, 1855 x 423 on tablet, 1546 x 423 on mobile. Put everything that matters (channel name, tagline, schedule) inside the center 1546 x 423 zone. The outer edges should only hold decoration that can disappear.
Thumbnail text. Most thumbnails display around 320 x 180 in the feed. Large, high-contrast text on a simple background beats intricate designs every time at that size.
Pinterest image sizes (2026)
Pinterest is the outlier. While everyone else chases shorter content and faster feeds, Pinterest rewards tall vertical pins that fill the page. Aspect ratio strategy matters more here than anywhere.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard pin (recommended) | 1000 x 1500 | 2:3 | 32 MB | Sweet spot for visibility |
| Square pin | 1000 x 1000 | 1:1 | 32 MB | Less visual impact |
| Long pin | 1000 x 2100 | 1:2.1 | 32 MB | Cuts off after ~1:2.8 in feed |
| Infographic pin | 1000 x 2100+ | Tall | 32 MB | Shows with a "See more" prompt |
| Story pin (Idea pin) | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 32 MB | Multi-page format |
| Profile photo | 165 x 165 | 1:1 | - | Displays as circle |
| Board cover | 800 x 450 | 16:9 | - | Or use a pin as cover |
Aspect ratio strategy. Pinterest truncates pins taller than about 1:2.8 in the feed. The content is still there behind a "See more," but it costs you clicks versus a pin that displays in full. Stick to 2:3 (1000 x 1500) for most pins, and stop at 1:2 (1000 x 2000) for infographics.
Text matters here. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest users read the text on a pin before they save or click. Make the headline large, clear, and benefit-focused.
Universal sizes that work across platforms
Building separate assets for every platform is not always realistic when you are running several accounts. These dimensions give you the most coverage with the fewest files.
| Use Case | Recommended Size | Works On |
|---|---|---|
| Feed post (square) | 1080 x 1080 | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X |
| Feed post (portrait) | 1080 x 1350 | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X |
| Stories and Reels (vertical) | 1080 x 1920 | Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube Shorts |
| Landscape / link preview | 1200 x 628 | Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X |
| Profile photo | 400 x 400 | All platforms |
| Pinterest / blog graphic | 1000 x 1500 | Pinterest, blog headers |
Two files cover most of your posting: one portrait for feeds and one vertical for Stories. That is the workflow I use inside Sydium across accounts: build the core content once, adapt the format, schedule across platforms without rebuilding from scratch. For the full version, see how to repurpose content across 5 platforms.
File formats by platform
| Platform | Supported Formats | Best for Photos | Best for Graphics/Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG, PNG | JPG at 80-90% quality | PNG (preserves text sharpness) | |
| TikTok | JPG, PNG | JPG | PNG |
| JPG, PNG, GIF | JPG | PNG | |
| Twitter/X | JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP | JPG | PNG or WebP |
| JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, WebP | JPG | PNG | |
| YouTube | JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP | JPG | PNG |
| JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, WebP | JPG | PNG |
The rule is simple: JPG for photos, PNG for anything with text, logos, flat color, or transparency. PNG files are larger but keep sharp edges that JPG compression blurs, a difference that looks subtle on a monitor and obvious on a phone. WebP is a good option where it is accepted (Twitter/X, Facebook) because it hits JPG file sizes at PNG sharpness, but Instagram does not take it. Animated GIFs loop on Twitter/X, Facebook, and LinkedIn but go static on Instagram; keep them under 15 MB.
Five mistakes that consistently hurt reach
1. The same uncropped image everywhere. Each platform has different feed proportions and crop behavior. A landscape image dropped into Instagram Stories gets big black bars and reads as "did not try." Spend the five minutes to crop per platform.
2. Text in the crop-danger zones. Usernames, action buttons, and nav bars overlay your image. The safe zone varies, but the principle holds: keep important content in the center 70-80% of the frame.
3. Oversized files with no optimization. A 12 MB PNG does not survive platform compression any better than a 600 KB JPG; it usually comes out worse, because the platform compresses it harder for mobile. Optimize before uploading and aim under 1 MB for most feed images.
4. Ignoring mobile. Most usage is on phones. Preview on a phone before you publish. A clean 27-inch layout can have unreadable text or a clipped face at six inches.
5. Mixed carousel ratios. Instagram forces every carousel slide to the ratio of the first one. If slide 1 is square and slide 2 is portrait, slide 2 gets center-cropped to square. Decide the ratio before you design a single slide.
To measure whether these fixes move anything, the complete guide to social media analytics covers tracking visual improvements over time.
Getting sizes right without starting from scratch
You do not need a designer for this.
Start from templates. Canva, Adobe Express, and Figma all ship pre-built templates at correct dimensions for every platform format. Begin there, not on a blank canvas.
Build one master file. Design once at 1080 x 1350 (portrait, the most versatile feed size), then export a 1080 x 1080 square and a 1080 x 1920 vertical from the same file. Three formats, one session.
Batch it. If you are making a week of content, size everything in one sitting. The constant canvas-switching cost adds up fast when you do it post by post.
And once the assets exist, scheduling them across every platform in one place is exactly what Sydium is built for, without the complexity or price of enterprise tools.
FAQ
What is the single best image size for all platforms?
No size is perfect everywhere, but 1080 x 1080 (square) comes closest and displays cleanly on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X without major cropping. For a bit more reach on Instagram and Facebook, 1080 x 1350 (portrait) takes up more feed space.
How often do these specs change?
Platforms usually adjust image specs once or twice a year, typically alongside a new feature. Big shifts (Instagram adding Reels, TikTok expanding photo carousels) tend to come with new format specs. Smaller display-dimension tweaks happen more often but rarely force you to redo existing content.
Why does my image look different on mobile vs desktop?
Feeds and especially banners crop to different aspect ratios by screen size. YouTube channel banners, LinkedIn company banners, and Facebook Page covers all use dramatically different mobile crops. Preview critical images on both a desktop browser and a phone, and design around the tightest safe zone.
Related free tools
Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Engagement Rate Calculator - Calculate your engagement rate and compare against industry benchmarks for any platform.
- Social Media Image Resizer - Resize images for every platform instantly. 14 presets across 7 platforms, no signup required.
- Best Time to Post Calculator - Find the optimal posting times for each platform based on engagement research.