Social Media posting

Social Media Post Sizes 2023: A guide for The Biggest Social Media Networks

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New social media image size requirements for Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & more.

Social media sizes, image sizes and post sizes change from time to time. Sometimes you post a nice picture, and it comes out pixelated on your timeline.

This is never good for any business or brand. For every post you make for your business, it is important to consider how your audience will be viewing your posts. It can be on the phone (mostly) or a PC. You use the sizes for your posts will determine how good they will look.

It’s not a difficult thing to understand. Follow this guide below and ensure your posts are improved in quality.

Getting social media post sizes right.

Each social media network or channel has a way it shows images. They all use different pixels or accept different pixels for each image. For example, banner posts, post images, profile pictures, and stories differ in size.

It is important to keep this in mind when designing or preparing your social media posts. First, you have to make sure your images don’t defy Copyright laws. In case you don’t have original pictures, you can use high-quality stock pictures.

Before posting, make sure your images are sized correctly. It may get tricky to resize the images for your social media posting. Ensuring the right sizes for your images is important.

  1. It avoids pixilation and uneven image stretching. It gives you a professional look.
  2. Improves optimization for each social media channel.
  3. The correct image size ensures your audience has a view of the full picture.
  4. Keeping on top of social media image sizes now could save you from having to rework your brand down the line when networks change their image dimensions.

There are tools you can use to resize social media images. Some of these tools are free, and some have paid versions. You can use photoshop or other online tools like Image LRor picresize.com whichever one is easier for you.

Social Media Post Sizes

  1. Instagram Sizes
  2. Twitter Sizes
  3. Facebook Sizes
  4. Linked in Sizes
  5. Youtube Sizes
  6. Pinterest Sizes

Quick social media image sizes.

The following is a more detailed guide for every single network below. The most common social media profile picture dimensions are 500 x 500 pixels and 400 x 400 pixels.

Instagram Image Sizes

On Instagram, you can post both horizontal and landscape orientation. It also supports square images as well (this size has been available since the start of Instagram).

Posting the right size increases your brand’s chances of being optimized on Instagram.

The Instagram profile photo.

The Instagram profile pictures are 320 X 320 pixels. Ensure you save the image in high resolution as well (300dpi +).

Keep in mind, Instagram profile pictures are displayed in a circular format. Your image dimensions are in squares, so ensure what you want to display is visible inside a circle. Center your elements so they don’t get cropped out.

The best option to use for your brand’s profile picture is your logo. If you don’t have one, create your logo here. The Brand Shop logo maker will generate options for you to pick from, and you only pay when your masterpiece is ready.

See logo maker pricing options to see how you can structure your social media pages with your new logo.

Instagram image sizes for feed photos:

  • Landscape: 1080 X 566 pixels
  • Portrait: 1080 X 1350 pixels
  • Square: 1080 X 1080 pixels
  • Supported aspect ratios: Anywhere between 1.91:1 and 4:5

Recommended image size: Width of 1080 pixels, height between 566 and 1350 pixels (depending on whether the image is landscape or portrait)

Instagram image sizes for thumbnails:

  • Display Size: 161 X 161 pixels
  • Recommended upload size: 1080 pixels wide.

What to expect when posting on Instagram

  • For best results, upload images that are 1080px wide.
  • If the image is bigger than 1080px, Instagram will size it down for you.
  • For images between 320px and 1080px, Instagram will keep the same size.
  • If the image is lower than 320px, Instagram will size it up to 320px.

If your images are not sized to the right ratio, Instagram will crop the image automatically to fit the supported aspect ratio.

Twitter Image Sizes

Twitter has 313 million active monthly users and is one of the most used social media networks to discuss brands. It has recently made some significant changes to its image layouts.

Twitter Profile Picture

Twitter Profile: The picture size is 400 X 400 pixels with a display of 200 X 200 pixels.

The profile picture represents your brand across Twitter. Make sure it’s the right quality so it represents your brand well. The Twitter profile picture appears in different places on Twitter. This is where you will find it.

  • On your page. Your profile picture appears the biggest here. Make it visible.
  • On the Twitter stream – A smaller version of your logo appears in a followers’ Twitter stream every time you tweet. Also, it appears on your follower’s followers every time you are retweeted.
  • Who to Follow: your profile picture appears next to the link to your page in the “who to follow” box. It is directly to the right of your Twitter stream.


Image guidelines

Minimum image size: 200 by 200 pixels

Maximum file size: 2MB.

Twitter image size for Header

The twitter image size for the header/ banner image is1500 X 500 pixels.

Pro Tips

  • To future-proof the image, it’s best to use the maximum size.
  • Header images are cropped to an aspect ratio of 3:1.
  • Keep in mind that the way header images display changes depending on the monitor and browser being used.

Twitter Instream images size

Minimum size: 600 by 335 pixels

Recommended aspect ratio: any aspect between 2:1 and 1:1 on desktop; 2:1, 3:4, and 16:9 on mobile

Supported formats: GIF, JPG, and PNG

Maximum file size: Up to 5MB for photos and GIFs on mobile. Up to 15MB on the web.

Twitter Card Image Size

This is for when twitter pulls an image from a URL. It’s a good tool for your SEO, here is how the integration works on your website.

  • Minimum size: 120 X 120 pixels
  • Supported formats: GIF, JPG, PNG
  • Maximum file size: 1MB

Pro Tips

  • You can test what your Twitter summary card will look like and see a preview using the card validator.
  • There is a range of different Twitter cards, so also a range of sizes. As well as the regular summary cards, there are summary cards with large images, app cards, and player cards.

Twitter image sizes for fleets: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Fleets are mobile-only for now.

Twitter image sizes for ads:

Single and multi-image tweets:

  • Minimum 600 x 335 pixels, but use larger images for the best results.

Website card image:

  • 800 x 418 pixels for 1.91:1 aspect ratio.
  • 800 x 800 for 1:1 aspect ratio.
  • Max file size of 20MB.

App card image:

  • 800 X 800 pixels. for 1.91:1 aspect ratio
  • 800 X 418 pixels for 1.91:1 aspect ratios.
  • Max file size of 3MB.

Carousels: 

  • 800 X 800 pixels for 1:1 aspect ratio.
  • 800 x 418 pixels for 1.91:1 aspect ratios.
  • Max file size of 20MB for 2-6 image cards.

Direct Message card:

  • 800 X 418 pixels for 1.91:1 aspect ratios.
  • Max file size of 3MB.

Conversation card: 

  • 800 X 418 pixels for 1.91:1 aspect ratios.
  • Max file size of 3MB.


Facebook Image Sizes

Facebook is constantly making updates to its design and image dimensions. The best strategy to future proof your brand’s content is always to upload the highest quality image that you can. Stick to the recommended file formats and sizes to get the best results.

Profile Picture: 170 x 170, your brand’s profile image should be your logo icon if you have one. If you don’t have a logo you can make one for yourself here and apply it across all your social media platforms.

Facebook cover photo size 851 X 315.
  • Display size desktop: 820 X 312 pixels
  • Display size smartphone: 640 X 360 pixels
  • Minimum size: 400 X 150 pixels
  • Ideal file size: Less than 100KB.
Timeline Post Sizes

To avoid pixilation and slow load times, use the following recommended sizes.

  • Recommended size: 1200 X 630 pixels
  • Minimum size: 600 X 315 pixels
  • Carousel: 1200 X 1200 pixels.

The event cover photos.

1200 x 628 pixels and 2:1 ratio (note the cover size cannot be edited once uploaded to an event)

Facebook stories: 1080 X 1920

Facebook 360 Photos

Facebook image sizes for ads:

Sizes for Facebook Feed ads:

  • At least 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Minimum size 600 x 600 pixels.
  • Ratio 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Maximum file size of 30 MB.

Sizes for Facebook Right Column ads: 

  • At least 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Minimum size 254 x 133 pixels.
  • Ratio 1:1. (Remember: These are a desktop-only ad format.)

Facebook image sizes for Instant Articles: 

  • At least 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Ratio 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Maximum file size of 30 MB.

Image sizes for Facebook Marketplace ads: 

  • At least 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Ratio 1:1.
  • Maximum file size of 30 MB.

Image sizes for Facebook Search: 

  • At least 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Minimum size 600 x 600 pixels.
  • Ratio 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Maximum file size of 30 MB.

Facebook image sizes for Sponsored Messages: 

  • At least 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Ratio 1.91:1 to 1:1.
  • Maximum file size of 30 MB.

Sizes for Messenger inbox ads: 

  • At least 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Ratio 1:1. Minimum size 254 x 133 pixels.
  • Maximum file size of 30 MB.

Sizes for Messenger Stories ads: 

  • At least 1080 x 1080 pixels.
  • Ratio 9:16. Minimum width of 500 pixels.

LinkedIn Image Sizes

Be it your personal profile or a company page, pairing your LinkedIn updates with images has consistently been shown to increase engagement and sharing.

We recommend the following sizes for best results. Always make sure to look at your profile and content on a few different types of devices before finalizing.

LinkedIn image sizes for company pages:

  • Company logo size: 300 X 300 pixels
  • Page cover image size: 1128 X 191 pixels
  • Life tab main image size: 1128 X 376 pixels
  • Life tab custom modules image size: 502 X 282 pixels
  • Company Life tab photos image sizes: 900 X 600 pixels
  • Square logo: At least 60 X 60 pixels.
Pro Tips
  • Make sure your file is smaller than 8MB.
  • Cover photos are cropped differently on mobile and desktop. Make sure to view your profile on both kinds of display before finalizing.
  • When posting image updates to your company page, make sure to use PNG or JPG images.
  • Use an aspect ratio of 1.91:1.
  • 1200 X 628 pixel images are ideal.
  • This LinkedIn image also applies to LinkedIn Showcase pages.
LinkedIn photo sizes for ads.

Company logo size for ads:

  • 100 x 100 pixels

Spotlight ads logo size:

  • 100 x 100 pixels

Spotlight ads custom background image:

  • 300 x 250 pixels

Sponsored content images:

  • 1200 x 627 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)

Sponsored content carousel images:

  • 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
Please note.
  • Depending on the post, Linked in accepts PNG, JPEG, and PDF file formats.
  • The cover profile aspect ratio is 4:1.
  • Always make sure your image is smaller than 8MB.
  • The best size for posts is 1200 X 628 pixels.

Youtube Image Sizes

Youtube allows you to style your channel with some nice designs of your choosing. This increases your click-through rate to your video content. Beautiful pictures can help you attract more views from the YouTube stream. There are more than a billion unique users a month on YouTube and over a million brands are making use of it.

YouTube profile photo size: 800 X 800 pixels (recommended)

  • Banner image size: 2048 X 1152 pixels (at minimum)
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Minimum area for text and logos without being cut off: 1235 X 338 pixels
  • Maximum file size: 6MB

Youtube video size: 1280 X 720 pixels (at minimum)

Tips

  • Youtube recommends that videos intended for sale or rental have a higher pixel count: 1920 x 1080 pixels.
  • Youtube requires videos to be 1280 X 720 pixels in order to meet HD standards.
  • This is a 16:9 aspect ratio.
  • Make sure the focus of your photo is centered for best results.
  • Files should be JPEG, GIF, BMP or PNG. Animated GIFs won’t work.
  • The photos will be rendered at 98 X 98 pixels.

Youtube thumbnail size: 1280 X 720 pixels.

Pinterest Image Sizes

Pinterest profile photo: 165 X 165 pixels (recommended)

Image size for Pinterest profile cover photo: 800 X 450 pixels (at minimum)

Pinterest image sizes for pins:
  • Aspect ratio: 2:3 (recommended).
  • Square pins: 1000 X 1000 pixels.
  • Recommended size: 1000 X 1500 pixels.
  • Max file size: 20MB.
Pinterest image sizes for collections pins.
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1 (recommended) or 2:3
  • Recommended size: 1000 X 1000 pixels or 1000 X 1500 pixels
  • Max file size: 10MB


So, you no longer have to guess what the best social media image sizes are—you can check here to see if your brand looks great!

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Nonofo Joel
Nonofo Joel

Nonofo Joel is a Brand Strategist at The Brand Shop. He frequently blogs about Branding, Website Design, and Search Engine Optimization on The Brand Shop Blog and other publications.