2026 guide to social media image sizes
Sizing images for social media shouldn’t require 14 tabs, three coffees, and a minor breakdown. Yet here we are: every platform has its own rules, aspect ratios, and “oh by the way, we changed that last week” frustrations.
This guide pulls the key sizes into one place so you can design once and publish with a lot more confidence.
In this article you will find:
A downloadable “Cheat Sheet” of the most important sizes
A breakdown of each major platform
Simple tips on what to watch out for
Safe zone guides you can use to make things easier
All dimensions are based on the latest specs available at the time of writing. Social platforms do update things from time to time, so it is worth checking back periodically.
Think of this as your starting point, not a strict rulebook. The aim is to help you spend less time guessing and more time creating.
Social Media Cheat Sheet
Download this PDF as your quick reference guide.
Download safe zone guides for Facebook here.
Profile Picture
This is the circular image that appears on your timeline, layered over your cover photo. It also shows up when you comment, post or appear in search.
Recommended upload size: 320x320 pixels
Displays at: (desktop) 176x176 pixels, (mobile) 196x196 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep the main subject in the centre, as the image is cropped to a circle.
Avoid tiny text or lots of detail, it will disappear at small sizes.
For brands, a simple, high contrast logo usually works best.
For individuals, use a clear, good quality headshot.
Profile Cover Image
Your cover image appears across the top of your Facebook page or profile. It is a great space to show your brand personality, promote an offer or simply create a strong first impression. The tricky part is that it displays slightly differently on desktop and mobile, and your profile picture overlaps the left side.
Recommended upload size: 820x360 pixels
Displays at: (desktop) 820x312 pixels, (mobile) 640x360 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep important content away from the very top and bottom edges, as these can be cropped on different screens.
Remember the profile picture overlaps the left side. On mobile, this overlap can cover a large portion, so avoid placing key text or logos there.
Use this space for a simple message, hero image or key offer rather than cramming in lots of details.
Feed Posts
Your Facebook feed images can appear in several different sizes. Used well, they can help you stand out and encourage more engagement.
Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 960)
Link: 1200 x 630 pixels (safe zone: 1080 x 510)
Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 446)
Vertical: 1080 x 1350 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 1230)
Stories & Reels: 1080 x 1920 pixels (safe zone: 920 x 1350)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep key content and text towards the middle, so it survives slight crops.
For stories and reels, avoid the very top and bottom 250–300 pixels, as Instagram/Facebook UI elements and captions sit in these areas.
If you are sharing a link, check that your image still looks good when auto-cropped into a link preview (often 1200 x 630 pixels).
Download safe zone guides for Instagram here.
Profile Picture
Your Instagram profile photo appears next to every post, story, DM and comment. It is small, round and usually viewed on mobile, so clarity is far more important than detail.
Recommended upload size: 320x320 pixels
Displays at: 110x110 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep the main subject in the centre, as the image is cropped to a circle.
Avoid tiny text or lots of detail, it will disappear at small sizes.
For brands, a simple, high contrast logo usually works best.
For individuals, use a clear, good quality headshot.
Highlight Cover
Highlight covers are the small circular icons that sit under your bio. They are a nice way to organise and brand your story highlights.
Recommended upload size: 1080x1080 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep the main subject in the centre, as the image is cropped to a circle.
Keep these very simple. A symbol, letter or minimal graphic is often more effective than a detailed illustration.
Feed Posts
Instagram supports square, vertical and landscape images. The feed will show your post in its chosen aspect ratio, but your grid preview always crops to a square.
Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 960)
Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 446)
Vertical: 1080 x 1350 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 1230)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG, GIF or MP4
Tips:
For a neater grid, pick one main aspect ratio (usually square or vertical) and use it consistently.
Keep important elements away from the outer edges in case of minor cropping.
Carousels generally perform well, especially for step by step content or educational posts.
Stories
Stories are full screen, vertical posts that are great for informal updates, behind the scenes content and quick videos. They also contain UI elements that love to cover your content.
Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (safe zone: 920 x 1350)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG, GIF or MP4
Tips:
Leave generous space at the top and bottom (around 250 pixels), as Instagram overlays usernames, buttons and captions there.
Solid or simple backgrounds often look cleaner than very busy textures once compressed.
Facebook stories use the same 1080 x 1920 dimensions.
Reels
Reels are also vertical and full screen, but they show up in several places: the reels feed, your main feed and your grid, often with different crops.
Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (safe zone: 920 x 1350)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG, GIF or MP4
Tips:
Keep titles and key visuals in the centre so they work in both 9:16 and the cropped previews.
Design a cover image that fits your branding and still reads clearly as a small preview.
Avoid placing important content in the very bottom area, where captions and buttons sit.
Download safe zone guides for LinkedIn here.
Profile Picture
Your profile image appears anywhere your name or company name does: posts, comments, DMs and search.
Recommended upload size: 400x400 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Centre your subject for the circular crop.
For personal profiles, a professional headshot is generally preferred over a logo.
Keep filters light and natural. LinkedIn tends to lean more towards “real person” than heavily stylised images.
Profile Cover (personal)
This wide banner sits at the top of your personal profile. It is a handy space to quickly show who you are, what you do and who you help.
Recommended upload size: 1584 x 396 pixels
Safe zone: 1024 x 276 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep key text and visuals toward the centre and slightly to the right, away from the profile photo area.
Use this space to highlight your niche, services, tagline or a simple visual that reflects your work.
Avoid very small text, as this banner scales down on mobile.
Profile Cover (company)
The company cover is a narrower banner that sits at the top of your organisation page.
Recommended upload size: 1128 x 191 pixels
Safe zone: 1008 x 151 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep the design simple and bold, as there is not much vertical space. A clean image, graphic or logo with a short line of text works well.
Feed Posts
Image led posts often perform better than plain text on LinkedIn, especially when there is a clear headline or key takeaway.
Square: 1200 x 1200 pixels (safe zone: 1080 x 1080)
Link: 1200 x 627 pixels (safe zone: 1080 x 507)
Vertical: 1080 x 1350 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 1230)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG, GIF or MP4
Tips:
For a neater grid, pick one main aspect ratio (usually square or vertical) and use it consistently.
Keep important elements away from the outer edges in case of minor cropping.
Carousels generally perform well, especially for step by step content or educational posts.
Stories
Stories are full screen, vertical posts that are great for informal updates, behind the scenes content and quick videos. They also contain UI elements that love to cover your content.
Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (safe zone: 920 x 1350)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Leave generous space at the top and bottom (around 250 pixels), as Instagram overlays usernames, buttons and captions there.
Solid or simple backgrounds often look cleaner than very busy textures once compressed.
Facebook stories use the same 1080 x 1920 dimensions.
Reels
Reels are also vertical and full screen, but they show up in several places: the reels feed, your main feed and your grid, often with different crops.
Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (safe zone: 920 x 1350)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Square and vertical posts take up more space in the feed, which helps you stand out on mobile.
Use large, clear headings and simple layouts, as people skim quickly.
For multi image posts, keep important content centred to allow for slight cropping.
X (Twitter)
Download safe zone guides for X (Twitter) here.
Profile Picture
Your profile picture appears in lots of places: your timeline posts, replies, quotes and “who to follow” suggestions.
Recommended upload size: 400x400 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep your subject centred for the circular crop.
Avoid thin lines and tiny details.
Choose something bold and recognisable at a glance.
Profile Cover
Your cover image spans the top of your profile and is one of your main branding spaces on X.
Recommended upload size: 1500 x 500 pixels
Safe zone: 1260 x 330 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep important content in the central safe zone to avoid cropping at the top and bottom.
Use this banner to highlight your positioning, tagline, key offer or current campaign.
Check readability in both light and dark mode.
Feed Posts
Posts with images or graphics tend to attract more attention than text alone.
Square: 1200 x 1200 pixels (safe zone: 1080 x 1080)
Landscape: 1200 x 675 pixels (safe zone: 1080 x 555)
Vertical: 1080 x 1350 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 1230)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG, GIF
Tips:
Square and landscape are generally the most reliable formats here.
Use simple layouts and clear text, as people scroll quickly.
Video Posts
Posts with video can attract more attention than text alone.
Standard video: 1280 x 720 pixels (safe zone: 1120 x 600)
Portrait video: 1080 x 1920 pixels (safe zone: 920 x 1350)
Recommended file type: MP4
Tips:
Keep organic videos under around two minutes for best engagement, unless you are running specific ad formats that allow longer videos.
Download safe zone guides for Pinterest here.
Profile Picture
Pinterest is highly visual, so your profile image helps people recognise your content at a glance.
Recommended upload size: 280x280 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Centre your logo or headshot so it sits well in the circular crop.
A clean, solid background can help your image stand out.
Pins
Pins can be educational, promotional or purely inspirational, but vertical images almost always perform better in the feed.
Standard pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels (safe zone: 880 x 1280)
Square pin: 1000 x 1000 pixels (safe zone: 880 x 880)
Tall/long pin: 1000 x 2100 pixels (safe zone: 880 x 1350)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Focus on vertical pins for best visibility. Some very tall pins may be cropped in the feed.
Use bold headings and clear typography. Many users save now and read later.
Keep key content away from the very top and bottom to allow for cropping.
Feed Posts
Posts with images or graphics tend to attract more attention than text alone.
Square: 1200 x 1200 pixels (safe zone: 1080 x 1080)
Landscape: 1200 x 675 pixels (safe zone: 1080 x 555)
Vertical: 1080 x 1350 pixels (safe zone: 960 x 1230)
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG, GIF
Tips:
Square and landscape are generally the most reliable formats here.
Use simple layouts and clear text, as people scroll quickly.
TikTok
Download safe zone guides for TikTok here.
Profile Picture
Your profile picture appears on your profile, overlaid on your videos and in comments. It is small, but plays a big role in brand recognition.
Recommended upload size: 200x200 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Centre your logo or headshot for the circular crop.
Use high contrast so it stands out against TikTok’s darker interface.
Feed Video
TikTok content is almost entirely vertical video. Full screen videos create the best viewing experience.
Recommended upload size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (safe zone: 840 x 1420)
Recommended file type: MP4
Tips:
Avoid landscape or square formats where possible, as these will show black bars.
Keep important text and visuals away from the very bottom, where captions and buttons appear.
Use the safe zone to make sure your message is not hidden behind interface elements.
YouTube
Download safe zone guides for YouTube here.
Profile Picture
This image appears on your channel page, next to comments and under your videos.
Recommended upload size: 800x800 pixels
Minimum display: 98x98 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Centre the main subject for the circular crop.
High contrast logos or headshots work well.
Avoid busy backgrounds so the image stays clear at smaller sizes.
Channel Banner
Your channel banner appears across TVs, desktops, tablets and phones. Because of this, safe zones are very important.
Recommended upload size: 2560 x 1440 pixels
Safe zone: 1546 x 423 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Keep all key text and important visuals inside the central safe zone.
Use this space to show your content themes, tagline or posting rhythm (for example, “New videos every Tuesday”).
If possible, preview your banner on different devices.
Video Thumbnails
Strong thumbnails can make a big difference to your click through rates.
Recommended upload size: 1280 x 720 pixels
Safe zone: 1160 x 600 pixels
Recommended file type: JPG, PNG
Tips:
Use bold text and clear imagery. Tiny details will not show well on mobile.
Aim for one main visual idea per thumbnail.
Keep your branding consistent so your videos are recognisable at a glance.
Bringing it all together
Social platforms will keep changing layouts, adding features and testing new designs, which can be frustrating when you just want things to “stay put”.
The foundations, though, stay fairly steady:
Use the right aspect ratio for the type of content you are posting
Design with safe zones in mind so key text, faces and buttons are not cropped or hidden
Reuse templates so you can create on brand visuals faster and with less guesswork
With this guide and your own set of templates, you can spend less time wrestling with pixels and more time sharing content that actually supports your business.
Useful tools
Here are some tools designers commonly use across branding and design work:
Adobe Photoshop for editing and retouching images.
Adobe Illustrator for vector-based logos and illustrations.
Adobe InDesign for print layouts such as brochures and documents.
Figma for digital layouts and collaborative design work.
Canva for simple, quick graphics once your core brand is in place.
Slack, Asana or Monday for managing projects, communication and deadlines.
Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive for cloud storage and sharing files.
Got a question or not sure where to start?
You can email me at hello@elisemaunder.com.au
Follow me on social media
