Tired of cropped logos? Blurry uploads? Text getting cut off?
You’re not alone. Every day, thousands of businesses and creators waste time re-uploading social media images because they used the wrong dimensions for social media posts.
This guide gives you:
- The exact social media image sizes for 2026 across all major platforms
- Best + minimum dimensions for every post type
- Safe zone guidance (so text doesn’t get chopped)
No more guesswork. No more cropped profile pictures. No more blurry feed posts. Let’s dive in.
The universal rule for social media image sizes
Before you memorize every platform’s picture size for social media, understand these three foundational principles. Master these, and you’ll never upload a bad image again.
Understand aspect ratio (not just pixels)
Aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height – and it matters more than raw pixel counts.
Here’s what the numbers mean in plain English:
- 1:1 = square (Instagram feed classic, Facebook posts)
- 4:5 = vertical feed (Instagram’s reach-boosting portrait mode)
- 9:16 = full-screen vertical (Stories, Reels, TikTok)
- 16:9 = horizontal landscape (YouTube thumbnails, Twitter posts)
Why aspect ratio matters more than dimensions: A 1080 x 1080 px image and a 500 x 500 px image are both 1:1 squares. The larger one looks sharper, but both fit the same space without cropping.
Match the aspect ratio first. Then upload at the highest recommended resolution.
Always design larger than the minimum
Here’s the pro move:
Design at the highest recommended resolution for each platform. Social platforms compress images automatically. If you upload something small, compression makes it worse.
Best practice:
- Use JPG for photos (smaller file size, good quality)
- Use PNG for graphics, logos, and images with text (crisper edges)
Uploading a 1080 x 1350 px image to Instagram? Perfect. Uploading a 400 x 500 px screenshot? You’ll get blur.
Respect safe zones
A safe zone is the area where your key content (text, logos, faces) should live to avoid platform UI overlays or cropping.
Why safe zones matter:
- Instagram and TikTok Stories display usernames, captions, and CTAs over your image
- Facebook’s mobile feed crops banners differently than desktop
- LinkedIn profile banners get cut off on smaller screens
Safe zone rules:
- Keep text and logos away from edges (especially top and bottom)
- Leave 100–150 px padding on all sides for vertical content
- Avoid placing critical text in the lower 20% of Stories and Reels (that’s where captions appear)
Most common social media image sizes (2026)
Here’s your at-a-glance cheat sheet for the most common social media sizes:
| Platform | Surface | Recommended Size | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
| Feed Post (Portrait) | 1080 x 1350 px | 4:5 | Best for reach | |
| Feed Post (Square) | 1080 x 1080 px | 1:1 | Classic format | |
| Stories/Reels | 1080 x 1920 px | 9:16 | Full-screen vertical | |
| Feed Post | 1080 x 1350 px | 4:5 | Also works 1200 x 630 px | |
| Cover Photo | 1640 x 924 px | — | Mobile-safe area centered | |
| Feed Post | 1200 x 1200 px | 1:1 | 4:5 also works | |
| Personal Banner | 1584 x 396 px | — | Desktop + mobile display | |
| X (Twitter) | Feed Post | 1200 x 675 px | 16:9 | Landscape preferred |
| TikTok | Video | 1080 x 1920 px | 9:16 | Vertical only |
| Standard Pin | 1000 x 1500 px | 2:3 | Vertical wins | |
| YouTube | Thumbnail | 1280 x 720 px | 16:9 | HD standard |
Pro tip: Save this table. It covers 90% of what you’ll need daily.
Instagram image sizes (2026)
Instagram remains the most format-sensitive platform. Use the wrong social media photo dimensions here, and your content gets auto-cropped.
Instagram feed post sizes
Square post
- 1080 x 1080 px
- 1:1 ratio
- The OG Instagram format, still works great
Portrait post (best for reach)
- 1080 x 1350 px
- 4:5 ratio
- Takes up more feed real estate = more engagement
Landscape post
- 1080 x 566 px
- 1.91:1 ratio
- Less common, but useful for wide shots
Best recommendation: Use 1080 x 1350 px for most posts. It maximizes screen space and typically performs better in feed.
Instagram story & reel sizes
- 1080 x 1920 px
- 9:16 ratio
- This is the full-screen vertical format
Safe zone tip:
- Keep key content centered
- Avoid the bottom 250 px (that’s where captions, CTAs, and stickers appear)
- Keep faces and logos in the middle third
Instagram profile image size
- 320 x 320 px (displayed as a circle)
- Upload a square image
- Keep your logo or face centered (outer edges get cropped into a circle)
This applies to social media profile image sizes across most platforms – always design square, expect circle crop.
Facebook image sizes (2026)
Facebook is more forgiving with social media banner dimensions and post sizes, but consistency still matters for a professional look.
Facebook feed post size
- 1080 x 1350 px recommended (portrait, same as Instagram)
- 1200 x 630 px for link previews
If you’re cross-posting from Instagram, the 1080 x 1350 px format works perfectly in Facebook feeds.
Facebook cover photo size
Business Page Cover
- 1640 x 924 px (recommended safe design area centered)
- Mobile devices crop differently than desktop – keep key text and logos in the center 1200 x 630 px area
Pro tip: Design your cover with mobile users in mind. Most Facebook traffic is mobile, so test how your banner looks on a phone before publishing.
Facebook profile picture size
- 320 x 320 px (circle crop)
- Same rules as Instagram: upload square, keep logo centered
Facebook ad sizes
Facebook ads run across multiple placements (Feed, Stories, Reels, Marketplace), so these social media ad dimensions give you the most flexibility:
- 1080 x 1080 px (1:1) – Works in Feed, Stories (cropped)
- 1080 x 1350 px (4:5) – Best for Feed ads
- 1080 x 1920 px (9:16) – Full-screen Stories/Reels ads
Recommendation: Design 1:1 and 4:5 versions for most ad placements. These cover Feed, Marketplace, and cropped Story placements.
LinkedIn image sizes (2026)
LinkedIn favors professional, clean visuals. Here’s what works for image sizes for social media on the platform:
Linkedin feed post
- 1200 x 1200 px (1:1) – Square posts
- 1200 x 1500 px (4:5 works well too)
Both formats perform well. Choose square for simplicity, portrait for more feed space.
Linkedin personal banner
- 1584 x 396 px
- Shows at the top of your personal profile
- Keep text in the center – mobile crops the edges
LinkedIn company page cover
- 1128 x 191 px
- Narrow format – prioritize logo and tagline over complex graphics
X (Twitter) image sizes
X (formerly Twitter) has always favored horizontal formats. Here’s the current standard:
Feed post
- 1200 x 675 px
- 16:9 ratio
- Landscape images get more real estate than square
Header image
- 1500 x 500 px
- Wide banner at the top of your profile
- Keep key visuals centered (profile pic overlaps the left side)
TikTok image & video sizes
TikTok is all about vertical, full-screen content. There’s no square option here.
TikTok video size
- 1080 x 1920 px
- 9:16 ratio
- This is the only format that works
Note: TikTok automatically crops horizontal or square videos. Always shoot or design vertical.
TikTok profile photo
- 200 x 200 px minimum
- Upload at least this size to avoid pixelation
- Displayed as a circle
Pinterest image sizes
Pinterest is a visual search engine, so high-quality social media photo sizes matter more here than almost anywhere else.
Standard pin
- 1000 x 1500 px
- 2:3 ratio
- Vertical images perform best (they take up more screen space in feeds)
Pro tip: Pinterest allows taller images (up to 2:3 or even longer), but anything beyond 2:3 gets cut off in some placements. Stick with 1000 x 1500 px for consistency.
Pinterest profile cover
- 800 x 450 px
- Horizontal banner at the top of your profile
YouTube image sizes
YouTube is video-first, but thumbnails and banners still need the right social media graphic sizes.
YouTube thumbnail size
- 1280 x 720 px
- 16:9 ratio
- Minimum 640 px width, but always upload at 1280 x 720 for HD quality
Pro tip: Thumbnails should be clear and readable even at small sizes. Use bold text, high contrast, and close-up faces.
YouTube channel banner
- 2560 x 1440 px
- Safe area: 1546 x 423 px (center)
YouTube crops banners differently on TV, desktop, tablet, and mobile. Keep all key text and logos in the safe area (the center 1546 x 423 px zone).
Social media ad sizes
Running paid ads? These are the most universal social media ad sizes that work across platforms:
Most universal ad sizes:
- 1080 x 1080 px (1:1) – Facebook Feed, Instagram Feed, LinkedIn
- 1080 x 1350 px (4:5) – Facebook Feed (vertical), Instagram Feed (portrait)
- 1080 x 1920 px (9:16) – Instagram Stories, Facebook Stories, TikTok
- 1200 x 628 px (link ads) – Facebook link posts, LinkedIn Sponsored Content
Pro tip: If you’re designing one ad creative to run everywhere, create it in 1:1 (square) first. Then make a 9:16 (vertical) version for Stories. These two formats cover 95% of placements.
Why your images look blurry or cropped
Even when you use the right sizes for social media, things can go wrong. Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common issues:
Problem 1: Image too small
Symptoms:
- Blurry or pixelated posts
- Low-quality appearance compared to competitors
Fix:
- Upload at the recommended resolution (not the minimum)
- Avoid uploading screenshots—they’re usually too small
- Design at 1080 px width or higher for most platforms
Problem 2: Wrong aspect ratio
Symptoms:
- Platform auto-crops your image
- Important parts (faces, text, logos) get cut off
Fix:
- Match the platform’s ideal aspect ratio (1:1, 4:5, 9:16, 16:9)
- Don’t rely on auto-crop – it rarely crops where you want
- Use Canva, Adobe Express, or your design tool’s resize feature to create proper dimensions
Problem 3: Text getting cut off
Symptoms:
- Captions cover your text
- Profile pictures or UI elements overlap your design
Fix:
- Respect safe zones (leave 100–150 px padding)
- Test in preview mode before publishing
- For Stories/Reels, keep text in the center and avoid the bottom 250 px
Conclusion
Here’s your quick-start workflow for perfect social media sizing every time:
- Design in 4:5 when possible (1080 x 1350 px): It works for Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
- Resize for Stories (9:16) – create a 1080 x 1920 px version for Stories, Reels, and TikTok
- Keep text inside safe zones – 100–150 px padding from all edges
- Always upload at recommended resolution – never upload below 1080 px width
- Preview before publishing
Bookmark this guide. Social media sizing changes slightly each year, but these fundamentals will keep your content looking sharp across every platform.
Need help creating social media content that actually drives results? The Ocean Wide specializes in social media marketing for Denver businesses, startups, and nonprofits. From strategy to execution, we handle the details so you can focus on growing your business.
Ready to upgrade your social media presence? Call us at (720) 295-7835 or email [email protected] today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the ideal size for social media images?
The ideal size depends on the platform, but 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 ratio) works best for most feed posts in 2026. It’s the go-to size for Instagram and Facebook portrait posts, which dominate mobile feeds.
What are the most common social media post sizes?
Most common:
– 1080 x 1080 px (square) (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn)
– 1080 x 1350 px (vertical) (Instagram portrait, Facebook portrait)
– 1080 x 1920 px (Stories/Reels) (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
What size should social media ads be?
Best-performing universal ad sizes:
– 1080 x 1080 px (square) (Feed ads)
– 1080 x 1350 px (portrait) (Feed ads with more space)
– 1080 x 1920 px (vertical) (Stories and Reels ads)
These dimensions for social media posts work across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Why does Instagram crop my photos?
Because the aspect ratio doesn’t match feed requirements (1:1 or 4:5). Instagram’s feed only displays square (1:1) or portrait (4:5) images without cropping. If you upload a 16:9 landscape photo, Instagram auto-crops it to fit and it usually crops out the best part. Solution: Always design or resize to 1:1 or 4:5 before uploading.
Should I use PNG or JPG for social media?
– JPG for photos: Smaller file size, faster uploads, good quality for images with lots of colors.
– PNG for graphics with text/logos: Better for sharp edges, transparency, and text clarity.
Most platforms convert everything to JPG on upload anyway, but starting with the right format gives you the cleanest result.
