Social Media Image Sizes (2026 Cheat Sheet)

Updated January 2026 · 10 min read

Getting your image dimensions right is the difference between a sharp, professional post and a blurry, cropped mess. Here are the numbers you need: Instagram posts are 1080 x 1080 pixels, Facebook posts are 1200 x 630 pixels, Twitter/X posts are 1600 x 900 pixels, LinkedIn posts are 1200 x 627 pixels, and YouTube thumbnails are 1280 x 720 pixels. This guide covers every dimension for every major platform — bookmark it and never Google "Instagram image size" again.

Instagram Image Sizes

1080 x 1080 pixels is the standard Instagram post size. Instagram supports square, portrait, and landscape orientations, but square and 4:5 portrait posts take up the most screen real estate in the feed.

Pro tip: Upload at 1080 x 1350 for feed posts. The 4:5 portrait format takes up more vertical space in the feed, which can boost engagement.

Facebook Image Sizes

1200 x 630 pixels is the recommended Facebook post image size. This dimension works for both feed posts and link preview images.

Facebook displays profile pictures at 170 x 170 pixels on desktop and 128 x 128 pixels on mobile, but upload at least 360 x 360 for the best quality.

Twitter / X Image Sizes

1600 x 900 pixels is the optimal Twitter/X post image size. Images display in-feed at a 16:9 aspect ratio, and oversized images will be cropped to fit.

Twitter/X supports up to 4 images per tweet. When posting multiple images, each is cropped to different aspect ratios depending on the layout: two images each display at 7:8, three images show one at 7:8 and two at 7:4, and four images each display at 2:1.

LinkedIn Image Sizes

1200 x 627 pixels is the recommended LinkedIn feed post image size. For company pages, the banner image should be 1128 x 191 pixels.

LinkedIn images can be up to 10 MB in size. For the best quality, use PNG for graphics and illustrations or high-quality JPG for photos.

YouTube Image Sizes

1280 x 720 pixels is the required YouTube thumbnail size. Thumbnails must have a minimum width of 640 pixels, use a 16:9 aspect ratio, and be under 2 MB in JPG, GIF, or PNG format.

YouTube channel art is tricky because it displays differently across devices. The safe area for text and logos is the center 1546 x 423 pixels of your 2560 x 1440 banner. Keep critical elements within that zone.

TikTok Image Sizes

1080 x 1920 pixels is the standard TikTok video size. TikTok is a vertical-first platform — 9:16 aspect ratio fills the entire screen.

When creating TikTok cover images (the thumbnail shown on your profile), keep important content in the center of the frame. TikTok crops video covers slightly on the profile grid view.

Pinterest Image Sizes

1000 x 1500 pixels is the ideal Pinterest pin size. Pinterest favours vertical images with a 2:3 aspect ratio, and pins taller than 2:3 get truncated in the feed.

Pinterest recommends a minimum width of 600 pixels for pins. Images narrower than that can appear blurry, especially on high-resolution screens.

Tips for Resizing Images for Social Media

1. Start with the largest size you need. It's always easier to scale down than to scale up. If you need the same image for Instagram (1080 x 1080) and Twitter (1600 x 900), create the original at 1600 pixels wide or larger.
2. Use the exact recommended dimensions. Uploading images at the platform's recommended size avoids unexpected cropping and minimizes compression artifacts.
3. Keep file sizes reasonable. Most platforms compress images on upload. Aim for high-quality JPGs at 80–95% quality to balance sharpness and file size. PNG works best for graphics with text, logos, or transparent backgrounds.
4. Watch your safe zones. Stories, reels, and covers often have UI elements (profile icons, captions, buttons) that overlay parts of the image. Keep text and important content away from the top and bottom 250 pixels of vertical content.
5. Batch resize when possible. If you're posting the same content across multiple platforms, use a tool that lets you export multiple sizes at once instead of resizing one at a time.
6. Consider AI-powered resizing. Traditional resizing can crop important parts of your image. AI outpainting tools like EasyResize can intelligently extend the canvas so nothing gets cut off.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is an Instagram post?

Instagram posts are 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 square). Instagram also supports portrait posts at 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5) and landscape posts at 1080 x 566 pixels (1.91:1). For maximum feed visibility, use the 4:5 portrait format at 1080 x 1350.

What is the best image format for social media?

JPG is the most widely supported format for social media photos. Use PNG when you need transparency or for graphics with sharp text and edges. WebP offers smaller file sizes with comparable quality and is now supported on most major platforms. For general photo posts, a high-quality JPG at 80–95% quality strikes the best balance.

What size is a YouTube thumbnail?

YouTube thumbnails should be 1280 x 720 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The minimum width is 640 pixels, and the file must be under 2 MB in JPG, GIF, or PNG format. Higher resolution thumbnails look better when displayed at larger sizes in search results and suggestions.

Do social media platforms compress uploaded images?

Yes, virtually all social media platforms apply compression to uploaded images. Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter all reduce file size to speed up loading. To minimize visible quality loss, upload images at the exact recommended dimensions and use high-quality source files. Uploading oversized images leads to more aggressive compression.