The Ultimate Social Media Image Sizes Guide (With Posting Tips & Facts)

The Ultimate Social Media Image Sizes Guide (With Posting Tips & Facts)

Social media is a competitive landscape, and visuals are often the first thing users notice. With billions of people scrolling through feeds daily, using the correct image sizes is vital for making a great first impression. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find the latest social media image dimensions for all major platforms, along with platform stats, posting tips and insights to help your content stand out.

Make your content planning even easier with our Social Media Content Calendar, which includes key dates, awareness days, and plenty of inspiration to keep your posts timely and relevant.

Why Image Sizes Matter

Image sizes are more than just about making your content look good—they directly affect performance and audience engagement. Using the wrong dimensions can cause:

• Cropped or Distorted Visuals: Key parts of your image may be cut off or stretched, making your post appear unprofessional.
• Reduced Image Quality: Incorrect sizes often lead to compression, causing pixelation or blurriness.
• Lower Engagement Rates: Poorly displayed visuals are less likely to grab attention, reducing likes, shares and clicks.
• Slower Load Times: Oversized images can take longer to load, frustrating users and increasing the chance they’ll scroll past.
• Missed Opportunities: Platforms may deprioritise poorly optimised posts, limiting your reach.

By following platform-specific dimensions, your visuals will look sharp, professional and tailored for both desktop and mobile. This not only improves user experience but also increases your chances of standing out in busy social media feeds.

Social Media Image Size Cheat Sheet

Here’s an overview of the recommended image dimensions across various social media platforms:

Here’s an individual breakdown of each platform:

Instagram

Monthly Users: 2.35 billion (as of 2024)

Why Instagram Matters: As one of the most visual platforms, Instagram is perfect for brands and creators who want to showcase stunning imagery, behind-the-scenes content, and eye-catching videos.

Key Image Sizes

Profile Photo: 320 x 320 pixels (cropped to a circle)

Feed Image:

• Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels
• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels
• Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels

Ads:

• Feed Ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1)
• Story Ads: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)

Tips for Instagram Success

1. Use high-quality, colourful images to stand out.
2. Stick to a consistent theme to create a cohesive feed.
3. Leverage Instagram’s Reels feature for better reach and engagement.
4. Utilise stories for quick updates and interactive polls.

Threads

Monthly Users: 100 million+ (shortly after launch in 2023)

Why Threads Matters: Threads, Meta’s answer to text-based social platforms, provides an easy way for users to engage in real-time conversations while using visuals to enhance their posts. It’s a great platform for brands looking to combine textual updates with eye-catching imagery to drive engagement.

Key Image Sizes

Profile Photo: 320 x 320 pixels (cropped to a circle)

In-Post Images:

• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
• Landscape: 1200 x 628 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)

Carousel Posts: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)

Tips for Threads Success:

1. Start posts with an interesting hook to encourage users to keep reading.
2. Use high-quality visuals to make your text-based posts stand out.
3. Share carousel posts to explore topics in more detail or tell a visual story.
4. Keep visuals on-brand to maintain recognition and professionalism.

Facebook

Monthly Users: 2.96 billion

Why Facebook Matters: Facebook remains a powerhouse for businesses, offering tools to connect with diverse audiences through pages, ads, and community groups.

Key Image Sizes

Cover Photo:

• Desktop: 820 x 312 pixels
• Mobile: 640 x 360 pixels

Profile Picture: 170 x 170 pixels (displayed as a circle)

Feed Image: 1200 x 630 pixels

Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Ads:

• Single Image Ad: 1200 x 628 pixels
• Carousel Ad: 1080 x 1080 pixels

Tips for Facebook Success

1. Include a mix of photos, videos and text posts to keep your audience engaged.
2. Test different ad creatives to see what resonates with your target audience.
3. Use stories for behind-the-scenes content and product launches.
4. Regularly update your cover photo to reflect seasonal campaigns or promotions.

LinkedIn

Monthly Users: 900 million

Why LinkedIn Matters: LinkedIn is a professional network ideal for B2B marketing, showcasing expertise and connecting with industry professionals.

Key Image Sizes

Profile Picture: 400 x 400 pixels

Cover Image (Personal): 1584 x 396 pixels

Company Page Logo: 300 x 300 pixels

Company Cover Image: 1128 x 191 pixels

Life Tab Custom Image: 1128 x 376 pixels

Blog Post Image: 1200 x 627 pixels

Ads:

• Sponsored Content: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1)
• Story Ads: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Tips for LinkedIn Success

1. Share thought leadership articles and industry insights to build authority.
2. Use clear, professional imagery that reflects your brand’s values.
3. Engage with other posts through meaningful comments to expand your reach.
4. Optimise your company page visuals to reflect your branding consistently.

Google Business Profile

Monthly Searches: Over 1 billion searches daily include Google Business Profiles, making it a vital tool for local businesses.

Key Image Sizes

• Profile Image: 250 x 250 pixels
• Logo: 720 x 720 pixels
• Cover Photo: 1024 x 576 pixels
• Video Post: Maximum 30 seconds, 720p resolution

Tips for Google Business Success

1. Regularly update your profile with new images to keep it fresh and relevant.
2. Post short videos showcasing your business or services.
3. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, as they appear prominently in search results.
4. Use high-quality photos to make a positive impression on potential customers.

Twitter (X)

Monthly Users: 550 million

Why Twitter Matters: Perfect for real-time updates, trending topics and brand storytelling.

Key Image Sizes

Profile Photo: 400 x 400 pixels

Header Image: 1500 x 500 pixels

In-Stream Photo: 1600 x 900 pixels

Shared Photos: 1200 x 675 pixels

Ads:

• Single Image Ad: 1200 x 1200 pixels (square) or 1200 x 628 pixels (landscape)

Tips for Twitter Success

1. Pair concise tweets with eye catching visuals for better engagement.
2. Participate in trending topics and hashtags to increase visibility.
3. Post at peak times to maximise reach.
4. Use polls and GIFs to spark interactions with your audience.

TikTok

Monthly Users: 1.1 billion

Why TikTok Matters: TikTok’s short-form video content thrives on creativity and trends, making it a top choice for engaging younger audiences.

Key Image Sizes

Profile Picture: 200 x 200 pixels

Video Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)

Carousel Images: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Tips for TikTok Success

1. Follow trends and use popular audio to increase visibility.
2. Start with a strong hook to grab attention in the first few seconds.
3. Use captions and stickers to enhance storytelling.
4. Create engaging thumbnails for carousel posts.

Pinterest

Monthly Users: 465 million

Why Pinterest Matters: Pinterest is a search engine disguised as a social media platform, making it great for evergreen content like DIY tutorials and product recommendations.

Key Image Sizes

Profile Photo: 165 x 165 pixels

Cover Photo: 800 x 450 pixels

Pins: 1000 x 1500 pixels (2:3 aspect ratio)

Story Pins: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Collection Pins: 1000 x 1500 pixels

Ads and Carousels: 1000 x 1500 pixels

Tips for Pinterest Success

1. Focus on vertical images with text overlays for better click-through rates.
2. Optimise pin descriptions with keywords to improve search visibility.
3. Share pins consistently to stay active on users’ feeds.
4. Take advantage of video pins to capture attention and boost engagement.

Additional Platforms

YouTube

Monthly Users: 2.7 billion

Profile Photo: 800 x 800 pixels

Banner Picture: 2560 x 1440 pixels

Video Thumbnail: 1280 x 720 pixels

Bluesky

Profile Photo: 400 x 400 pixels

Cover Image: 1500 x 500 pixels

Final Tips for All Platforms

1. Test Your Content: Platforms often compress images, so test how your visuals look after uploading.
2. Plan Ahead: Use a social media calendar to align your visuals with campaigns.
3. Tools to Help: Platforms like Canva, Adobe Express or Figma can help you create visuals in the correct dimensions.

A Guide to Social Media Video Formats

Videos are one of the most powerful tools for engagement across social media. Each platform has its preferred formats, dimensions and lengths to ensure your videos perform at their best. Here’s a quick guide to the recommended video formats for major platforms.

Social Media Video Size Cheat Sheet

Here’s an overview for the recommended image dimensions across various social media:

Here’s an individual breakdown of each platform:

Instagram

Feed Videos: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1) or 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5)

Reels: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16), up to 60 seconds

Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16), up to 15 seconds per story

Ads:

• Feed: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1) or 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5)
• Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)

Threads

Videos in Posts: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5) or 1200 x 628 pixels (1.91:1), up to 5 minutes

Facebook

Feed Videos: 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9 or 4:5), up to 240 minutes

Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16), up to 15 seconds

Ads:

• Feed: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1) or 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5)
• Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)

LinkedIn

Feed Videos: 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9), up to 10 minutes

Ads: 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9), up to 30 minutes

Twitter (X)

In-Stream Videos: 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9), up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds

Ads: 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9), up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds

TikTok

Videos: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16), 5 seconds to 10 minutes

Ads: Same as organic videos, with options for full-screen immersive experiences

Pinterest

Standard Videos: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16) or 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1), 4 seconds to 15 minutes

Story Pins: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)

YouTube

Standard Videos: 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9) or 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9)

YouTube Shorts: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16), up to 60 seconds

Ads: Varies based on format (bumper, skippable, or non-skippable ads)

Google Business Profile

Video Posts: 720 x 540 pixels (4:3) or 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9), up to 30 seconds

Bluesky

Videos in Posts: 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9), currently supporting short-form clips

Final Tips for All Platforms

1. Grab Attention Early: Capture attention in the first few seconds with an engaging hook.
2. Optimise for Mobile: Use vertical formats where possible, as most users browse social media on their phones.
3. Add Captions: Ensure accessibility and engagement for viewers who watch without sound.

We also have a helpful social media content calendar for bookmarking or downloading.