The complete social media images sizes guide

Different social media platforms require different social media image sizes. The wrong image size either does not work or gives a pixelated appearance.

What image size to use for which social media is confusing, right?
Well, not anymore.

Continue reading this mini guide on social media image sizes so you will never have to worry about this aspect again.

Table Of Contents

1. Quick Social Media Image Sizes
2. Understanding the Instagram image sizes
3. Understanding the Facebook Image Sizes
4. Understanding the LinkedIn Image Sizes
5. Importance of the right Social media Sizes

Basic Social Media Image Sizes

1. Basic Instagram Image Sizes

• Profile Photo: 320 x 320 px
• Landscape: 1080 x 566 px
• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 px
• Square: 1080 x 1080 px
• Stories and Reels: 1080 x 1920 px

2. Basic Facebook Image Sizes

• Profile Photo: 170 x 170 px
• Landscape: 1200 x 630 px
• Portrait: 630 x 1200 px
• Square: 1200 x 1200 px
• Stories and Reels: 1080 x 1920 px
• Cover Photo: 851 x 315 px

3. Basic LinkedIn Image Sizes

• Profile Photo: 400 x 400 px
• Landscape: 1200 x 627 px
• Portrait: 627 x 1200 px
• Square: 1080 x 1080 px
• Cover Photo: 1128 x 191 px

Understanding the Instagram Image Sizes

For Instagram, image sizes play a crucial role in how your content is presented to your audience. Instagram supports a variety of image orientations, including horizontal, vertical, and the classic square format that defined the platform’s early days. This diversity offers flexibility for your brand. Here’s a breakdown of key Instagram image sizes or Instagram post dimensions to help you navigate the intricacies of Instagram post size:

1. Instagram Profile Picture Size:

• Dimensions: 320 x 320 pixels
• Profile pictures are displayed as a circle, ensure important elements are centered to prevent cropping.

2. Instagram Post Sizes (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 orientation).

Tip: Aim for an image width of 1080 pixels for optimal display. Instagram automatically adjusts images over 1080 pixels and sizes up images below 320 pixels.

3. Instagram Photo Thumbnail Sizes:

• Display Size: 161 x 161 pixels
• Recommended Upload Size: 1080 pixels wide
• Tips: Instagram stores larger versions of thumbnails (up to 1080 x 1080 pixels). Upload larger images for a future-proof feed and to avoid pixelation.

4. Instagram Stories Image Size:

• Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16

Tip: Uploading images with a smaller pixel size within the same aspect ratio ensures quick buffering and prevents cropping or zooming issues.

5. Instagram Carousel Image Sizes:

• Same as feed photos with variations in aspect ratios.
• Aspect Ratios: Landscape (1.91:1), Square (1:1), Vertical (4:5)
• Recommended image size: Width of 1080 pixels, height between 566 and 1350 pixels (depending on orientation).

6. Instagram Reels Sizes:

• Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 9:16
• Cover Photo: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Tip: Reels are cropped differently in the profile (1:1) and home feed (4:5); keep this in mind for optimal display.

7. Instagram Ads Image Sizes:

• Same as feed photos with additional specifications.
• Minimum Width: 320 pixels
• Maximum Width: 1080 pixels

Tip: Advertisements in feeds have limitations on hashtags (max 30) and character counts in the primary text and headline.

8. Image Sizes for Instagram Stories Ads:

• Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Tip: Leave approximately 14% (250 pixels) at the top and bottom of the image free from text and logos to prevent coverage.

Understanding the Facebook Image Sizes

For Facebook, keeping up with the latest design updates and image dimensions is key to presenting your brand in the best light. To future-proof your content, always opt for the highest-quality images and stick to Facebook’s recommended file formats. Let’s delve into the essential image sizes like Facebook post size for different elements on the platform:

1. Facebook Profile Picture Size:

• Display on Desktop: 170 x 170 pixels
• Display on Smartphone: 128 x 128 pixels

Tip: For logos or text, use a PNG file to avoid compression or distortion.

2. Facebook Cover Photos:

• Recommended Size: 851 x 315 pixels
• Display on Desktop: 820 x 312 pixels
• Display on Smartphone: 640 x 360 pixels
• Minimum Size: 400 x 150 pixels
• Ideal File Size: Less than 100KB

Tip: Use JPG or PNG files for optimal quality, and adhere to recommended pixel sizes for faster load times.

3. Facebook Timeline Photo and Facebook Post Size:

• Recommended Size: 1200 x 630 pixels
• Minimum Size: 600 x 315 pixels

Tip: Maintain image quality by remembering these sizes, especially if using the carousel display for multiple images.

4. Facebook Event Cover Photo Image Sizes:

• Recommended Size: 1200 x 628 pixels

Tip: This adheres to a 2:1 ratio, and once added to an event, the size can’t be edited.

5. Panorama or 360 Photos:

• Minimum Image Size: 30,000 pixels in any dimension
• Aspect Ratio: 2:1

Tip: Facebook automatically recognizes these images based on camera-specific metadata. Use JPEGs, and files can be up to 45 MB for JPEGs or 60 MB for PNGs.

6. Facebook Stories:

• Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels

Tip: Stories occupy the full screen with a 9:16 aspect ratio. Ensure a width no smaller than 500 pixels and consider leaving 14% text-free for optimal display.

7. Facebook Ads:

• Sizes for Facebook Feed Ads: At least 1080 x 1080 pixels, 1.91:1 to 1:1 ratio, max file size of 30 MB.
• Sizes for Right Column Ads: At least 1080 x 1080 pixels, 1:1 ratio (desktop-only).
• Sizes for Instant Articles, Marketplace Ads, Search, Sponsored Messages, Messenger Inbox Ads, and Messenger Stories Ads: At least 1080 x 1080 pixels, max file size of 30 MB.

Tip: Ensure your visuals meet the specific criteria for each ad format.

Understanding the LinkedIn Image Sizes

On LinkedIn, the strategic use of images significantly enhances engagement and sharing of your content. It applies to both personal profiles and company pages. To ensure your LinkedIn updates leave a lasting impression, adhere to the recommended image sizes and LinkedIn post size below, and always check your profile and content across various devices for optimal display.

1. LinkedIn Image Sizes for Profile:

•  Profile Photos: 400 x 400 pixels or larger (recommended)

Tip: LinkedIn supports images up to 7680 x 4320 pixels and files up to 8MB. Upload large files for future-proofing.

2. LinkedIn Image Sizes for Personal Profile Cover Photos:

• Recommended Size: 1584 x 396 pixels
• Aspect Ratio: 4:1

Tip: Keep your file under 8MB, and remember that cover photos display differently on mobile and desktop.

3. 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
• Life Tab Company Photos Image Sizes: 900 x 600 pixels
• Square Logo: At least 60 x 60 pixels

Tip: Use PNG or JPG images for company page updates, maintain an aspect ratio of 1.91:1, and post images with a recommended size of 1200 x 628 pixels.

4. LinkedIn Image Sizes for Blog Post Link Images:

• Recommended Size: 1200 x 627 pixels
• LinkedIn Custom Image Size for Sharing a Link in an Update: 1200 x 627 pixels

Tip: Maintain a 1.91:1 ratio and an image width greater than 200 pixels to avoid appearing as a thumbnail.

5. LinkedIn Image 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)

Importance of the right Social Media Sizes

Why does the right social media image size matter? Well, nailing the perfect dimensions is more than just a technicality; it’s about presenting your brand in the best possible light:

1. Professional Appearance:
   Incorrect sizes can lead to pixelation or stretching, making your visuals appear unprofessional. Precision in sizing ensures your images maintain clarity and integrity.
   
2. Optimize for Platform’s Feed:
   Each platform has its own unique feed layout. It is important to follow each platform’s image sizes, like Facebook profile picture size requirements, to completely optimize your account.
   
3. Ensure Correct Brand Messaging:
   Incorrect sizing might crop out essential elements of your image. This will affect the message you want to convey. So, it is important that you follow the right social media image size so that your audience can see the complete picture.
   
4. Future-Proof Your Content:
   Keeping yourself updated about changes in social media image size requirements across different platforms is an investment in your brand. Being informed and adapting now means less hassle when platforms inevitably tweak their display dynamics.

Conclusion

Different platforms have different social media image size requirements. We have discussed all these requirements for different social media platforms like Instagram post dimensions, and Facebook and LinkedIn post size. You must follow these sizes to give your brand a professional appearance.