The Ultimate Guide to Social Media Image Sizes in 2023
One of the main challenges that business owners face is the constant changing of social media image size requirements. One minute your images are perfectly sized but the next, they seem pixelated. How do you keep up with the changes so that your images can display beautifully on the feed?
In this post, we'll highlight the ideal social media image sizes for various platforms to help you increase your audience engagement.
Why Is It Important to Get Social Media Image Sizes Right?
Your brand's visual identity on social media is often tied to the images you share, so it's important to ensure that they're correctly sized, sharp, and of high quality. It only takes 7 seconds for people to form an impression about your business. If the first thing your followers see on their feed is a pixelated photo, then they'll likely not engage with you.
Here are 4 main reasons you should get your social media sizes right.
- It optimizes your images for each social media platform, ultimately increasing audience engagement.
- It enhances the longevity of your content by reducing the amount of work you have to do when the social media platform changes its image requirements.
- It eliminates image stretching and pixelation, keeping your visuals professional.
- It prevents your images from getting cut off and hiding important messaging.
Contrary to what you may think, image sizing isn't difficult. There are multiple photo-editing tools that you can use, some of which are free.
Quick Overview of Social Media Image Sizes
Here's a simple overview of the recommended image sizes for the main social media platforms. We have, however, compiled a complete guide for all the platforms in our next section.
Please note that the dimensions highlighted below refer to width x height.
- Landscape: 1,200 x 628 pixels
- Portrait: 1,080 x 1,350 pixels
- Stories: 1,080 x 1,920 pixels
- Links containing images: 1,200 x 628 pixels
- Landscape: 1,080 x 566 pixels
- Portrait: 1,080 x 1,350 pixels
- Stories: 1,080 x 1,920 pixels
- Previous image requirement: 1,080 x 1,080 pixels
- Landscape: 1,200 x 675 pixels
- Multiple images: 1,200 x 675 pixels
- Links containing images: 800 x 418 pixels
- Landscape: 1,104 x 736 pixels
- Links containing images: 1,200 x 628 pixels
These dimensions apply to both LinkedIn personal profiles and company pages.
Social Media Image Size Cheat Sheet for 2023
The social media landscape is highly dynamic, and keeping up with the current trends can be overwhelming. Your business should, however, focus on increasing audience engagement as this is the most effective way of enhancing your online visibility. The best place to start is your image quality.
Here's a comprehensive guide on the proper image requirements for all social media platforms.
1. Instagram Image Sizes
Instagram is a great platform to promote and sell your products. According to recent statistics, around 130 million users on the platform click on shopping posts. You could be one of them! Since Instagram is mainly a visual platform, you have no option but to get the image sizing requirements right.
i. Instagram Feed
When Instagram was first launched, you could only post square mages, but currently, you can also post horizontal and vertical images as well. While this gives you more options to work with, it also makes it difficult to get all the dimensions right, so make sure you follow our image size cheat sheet.
In addition to the above sizing requirements, all the images for your Instagram feed should have a standard width of 1,080 pixels.
ii. Instagram Stories
Since Instagram stories occupy the entire phone screen, they should have an aspect ratio of 9:16 or 1,080 x 1,920 pixels. This image sizing requirement also applies to stories ads.
iii. Instagram Profile Photo
Your IG profile photo should be at least 320 x 320 pixels. Instagram displays this image as a circle, so ensure the important elements such as your business logo are in the center to prevent them from getting cropped out.
iv. IG Reels
Instagram Reels are full-screen vertical videos that can be up to 90 seconds long and are currently favoured by the Instagram algorithm. The recommended size of your IG Reel is 1080 X 1920 pixels and if you’re looking to create a thumbnail size for your grid, make sure there is a 1080 X 1080 pixel area that you can crop down to.
2. Facebook Image Sizes
Facebook is the most popular social media platform and has almost 3 billion users. It constantly changes its image size requirements, so the best option is to always upload its recommended image formats and ensure images are of the highest quality.
i. Facebook Profile Picture
Facebook profile images are square, and the size shown varies based on the device being used. For example, it appears at 170 x 170 pixels on desktop, while on mobile devices, it's 128 x 128 pixels.
ii. Facebook Cover Photo
- Recommended size: 851 x 315 pixels
- Display on mobile: 640 x 360 pixels
- Display on desktop: 820 x 312 pixels
Make sure all the essential details are centered so that they're not cut off.
You can also use a slideshow or video for your Facebook cover photo, but the dimensions should remain the same. If the image contains text, your logo, or other graphic elements, we recommend that you use PNG format.
iii. Timeline Photos
- Recommended size: 1,200 x 630 pixels
- Image with links: 1200 x 628 pixels
Facebook images should typically be in portrait mode except for carousel posts.
iv. Facebook Event Cover Image
- Recommended size: 1200 x 628 pixels
Make sure the images are attractive and visually represent what your audience should expect from your event. For these covers, use high-resolution formats such as PNG and JPG.
v. Facebook Group/ Page Cover Photo
- Recommended size: 1640 x 856 pixels
This image should ideally give potential group members an idea of what your group or page is about.
vi. Facebook Ads
There are various ad types with different image requirements. However, the image size should depend on whether your images contain a link or not.
- Recommended image ratio for images with links: square with a 1:1 ratio or horizontal with a 1.91:1 ratio
- Other recommended image sizes:
- 940 x 788 pixels
- 1200 x 628 pixels
- 1200 x 1200 pixels
3. Twitter Image Sizes
This platform may not be photo-intensive, but you should never compromise on image quality.
i. Twitter Profile Picture
- Recommended image size: 400 x 400 pixels
- Displayed image size: 200 x 200 pixels
Life Facebook, the image is displayed in a circle, and all important information should be centrally placed.
ii. Header Photos
Recommended image size: 1500 x 500 pixels
Keep in mind that the profile photo covers the bottom left of your cover photos, so refrain from putting important information in that area.
iii. In-stream Images
Recommended image size: 1600 x 900 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
Minimum image size: 600 x 335 pixels
Multiple images:
- Two images: shown side by side at a 7:8 aspect ratio.
- Three images: one image on the left at 7:8, two on the right at 4:7
- Four images; all displayed at a 2:1 aspect ratio
iv. Twitter ads
- Twitter Cards and Carousels: 800 x 800 pixels or 800 x 418 pixels
- Minimum image size: 600 x 335 pixels
- Supported formats: GIF, JPG, PNG
The maximum supported file size for Twitter cards is 1MB.
4. LinkedIn Image Sizes
Linkedin is the most professional platform and including images in your posts grabs the attention of your network.
i. LinkedIn Profile Picture
Recommended size: 400 x 400 pixels
Personal profiles have a circular profile photo, while company pages have a square one. The recommended image size is, however, the same for both.
ii. Linkedin Header
Recommended size for personal profiles: 1584 x 396 pixels
Recommended size for business pages: 1128 x 191 pixels
5. Pinterest Image Sizes
One of the elements that make Pinterest's images unique is that they have to be vertical. For a long time, their recommended image size for pins was 735 x 1102 pixels, but they recently updated them. Here are the current recommended sizes;
Profile Picture: 165 x 165 pixels
Pinterest Pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels
Square pins: 1000 x 1000 pixels
Board Cover: 600 x 600 pixels
Collections Pins: 1000 x 1500 pixels or 1000 x 1000 pixels
Story Pins: 1080 x 1920 pixels
Maintain a 2:3 aspect ratio and keep the file size below 20 MB.
6. YouTube Image Sizes
Youtube may be a video-sharing site, but it's important that the video content and profile images be fully optimized.
It's estimated that people spend more than 3 billion hours on Youtube daily. This is more than Facebook videos and Netflix combined! Here are the recommended image sizes to help you increase your views.
i. Profile Picture
Recommended size: 800 x 800 pixels
Even though Youtube gives you the option of adding borders to your image, the sizing requirements still remain the same.
ii. YouTube Banner
Recommended size: 2560 x 1440 pixels
Minimum size: 2048 x 1152 pixels
Maintain a 16:9 aspect ratio and keep the file sizes below 6MB. You should also note that the cover art is shown differently based on the device that the viewer is using. For instance, those using a TV will view it at 2560 x 1440 pixels, while those on a mobile device will only see 1855 x 423. Make sure all the important information is centrally placed.
iii. Thumbnail Size
Recommended size: 1280 x 720 pixels
To increase your video views, include a branded thumbnail to be shown on search results and on the feed.
7. Tumblr Image Sizes
Tumblr may not be popular but having multiple social media profiles increase your online visibility and brand engagement.
Profile photo: 128 x 128 pixels
Banner size: 3000 x 1055 pixels
Dashboard view: 500 x 750 pixels
Images with link: thumbnails display at 130 x 130 pixels.
Ads images: 1280 x 1920 pixels
8. Snapchat Image Sizes
If your main target audience is the younger generation or you're looking to appeal to them, you should consider having a Snapchat account. While it's primarily used for personal interactions, some brands have had great success on the platform.
i. Snapchat Ad Sizes
Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
ii. Geofilter image size
Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
Geofilters allow you to share your business location to drive more traffic to your physical location. Snapchat even allows you to sponsor it for an event or ad campaign so that more users can share the snap with their friends.
9. Tiktok Image Sizes
Tiktok blew up during the pandemic, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. In 2020, it's estimated to have generated around $1.9 billion in revenue, which translates to a year-on-year increase of 457%. Brands are thriving on the platform by hopping on trends, which ultimately increases their audience engagement.
Recommended photo size: 20 x 20 pixels
Recommended video size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
Keep the aspect ratio at 9:16 or 1:1.
Make the Most of Your Social Media Accounts
Social media platforms are a gold mine for businesses. They allow you to interact with your target audience on a personal level, ultimately nurturing long-lasting connections. This interaction also humanizes your brand and fosters trust with your followers.
To make the most of your social media accounts, it's important that you adhere to the recommended image sizes. It's the only way you'll be able to optimize your posts and get more people to like, share or comment on them.
Whether you use Adobe, Canva, or Microsoft Paint, ensuring that you start with the right measurements for your social media channels will make all the difference. This not only shines your brand in a flattering light but also increases your engagement levels.
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