Ideal Image Sizes and Formats for Social Media
The complete guide to optimal image sizes for TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and LinkedIn. Get the exact pixel dimensions and formats for every post type so your images always look sharp.
Using the right image dimensions for each platform prevents blurry photos, unexpected cropping, and pixelated graphics. This is the complete reference for every platform Publlish supports — bookmark it and share it with your design team.
The Golden Rule
Always design at the largest recommended size — social platforms scale images down if needed but scaling up creates pixelation. Work at 1080px wide minimum for all platforms.
TikTok Image Sizes
TikTok is primarily a video platform but supports image posts in some regions and contexts.
| Use case | Dimensions | Format |
|---|---|---|
| In-feed image post | 1080 x 1920px (9:16) | JPG, PNG |
| Profile photo | 200 x 200px | JPG, PNG |
Facebook Image Sizes
| Post type | Recommended dimensions | Aspect ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed photo post | 1200 x 630px | 1.91:1 | Displays well in feed |
| Feed square image | 1080 x 1080px | 1:1 | Cleaner look in feed |
| Shared link preview image | 1200 x 628px | 1.91:1 | Meta tags control this |
| Facebook Stories | 1080 x 1920px | 9:16 | Full screen |
| Cover photo (Page) | 820 x 312px | 2.63:1 | Displays differently on mobile |
| Profile photo (Page) | 180 x 180px | 1:1 | Displays at 40px in feed |
| Event cover photo | 1920 x 1080px | 16:9 |
Facebook image format: JPG for photos (smaller file size), PNG for graphics and text-heavy images (better quality at small sizes).
Instagram Image Sizes
| Post type | Recommended dimensions | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Feed portrait (recommended) | 1080 x 1350px | 4:5 |
| Feed square | 1080 x 1080px | 1:1 |
| Feed landscape | 1080 x 566px | 1.91:1 |
| Reels cover/thumbnail | 1080 x 1920px | 9:16 |
| Stories | 1080 x 1920px | 9:16 |
| Profile photo | 320 x 320px | 1:1 |
Instagram image format: JPG recommended. PNG is supported but results in larger files that Instagram compresses more aggressively.
Key rule: Instagram only accepts images between 4:5 and 1.91:1 ratio. Anything outside this range gets cropped. Full aspect ratio guide →
YouTube Image Sizes
| Use case | Recommended dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Video thumbnail | 1280 x 720px | 16:9, max 2MB, JPG or PNG |
| Shorts thumbnail | 1080 x 1920px | 9:16 |
| Channel banner | 2560 x 1440px | Safe area: 1546 x 423px centre |
| Profile photo | 800 x 800px | Displays as circle |
YouTube thumbnails: For Shorts published through Publlish, you can set a custom thumbnail from the composer. Thumbnails are one of the biggest factors in YouTube click-through rate — invest time in designing them.
X (Twitter) Image Sizes
| Post type | Recommended dimensions | Aspect ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single image tweet | 1600 x 900px | 16:9 | Best display in feed |
| Square image | 1080 x 1080px | 1:1 | |
| Multiple images (2) | 700 x 800px each | 7:8 | Side-by-side display |
| Multiple images (3–4) | 1200 x 675px each | 16:9 | Grid display |
| Profile photo | 400 x 400px | 1:1 | Displays as circle |
| Header image | 1500 x 500px | 3:1 |
X image format: JPG or PNG. PNG recommended for graphics and text. Max file size 5MB per image.
LinkedIn Image Sizes
| Post type | Recommended dimensions | Aspect ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed image post | 1200 x 627px | 1.91:1 | Standard link/image share |
| Square image | 1080 x 1080px | 1:1 | Strong in-feed presence |
| Portrait image | 1080 x 1350px | 4:5 | More vertical feed space |
| Document cover (PDF carousel) | 1080 x 1080px or 1080 x 1350px | 1:1 or 4:5 | First slide is the cover |
| Video thumbnail | 1200 x 627px | 1.91:1 | |
| Company Page logo | 300 x 300px | 1:1 | |
| Company Page banner | 1128 x 191px | ~6:1 | |
| Personal profile photo | 400 x 400px | 1:1 | |
| Personal profile banner | 1584 x 396px | 4:1 |
LinkedIn image format: JPG or PNG. Max 5MB per image. PNG recommended for graphics with text.
Universal Image Optimisation Tips
Always save photos as JPG. JPG compresses photos well with minimal visible quality loss. PNG is for graphics, logos, and images with transparency or text.
Use PNG for graphics and text-heavy images. PNG preserves sharp edges and text better than JPG at equivalent file sizes.
Keep file sizes reasonable. Under 2MB is good for most image uploads. Large files upload slower and get compressed more aggressively by platforms.
Design at 2x for retina screens. If your design is 1080px wide, the actual sharpness on high-DPI screens is better if you've designed at 2160px and scaled down.
Use consistent dimensions across a content series. If you're posting a 10-part educational series, design all 10 images at the same dimensions for visual consistency in the grid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best image size for all social media platforms? There's no single universal size, but 1080 x 1080px (1:1 square) is the most versatile — it works acceptably on all platforms without cropping. For platform-specific best performance, use the recommended dimensions for each platform above.
What image format should I use for social media? JPG for photos, PNG for graphics and text-heavy images. Both are widely supported. WebP is not recommended for social media uploads.
Why do my images look blurry after posting? Platforms compress images on upload. To minimise quality loss: use the recommended dimensions (not smaller), export at the highest quality setting, and keep file sizes under 2MB.
Can I use the same image across all platforms? Yes — but it will be cropped differently on each platform. For best results, create platform-specific versions using the dimensions above. 1:1 square is the safest universal option.