Social Media Image Sizes: The Complete Guide for Every Platform in 2026
Upload the wrong size and your image gets cropped, stretched, or blurred. This guide lists every dimension you need for every major platform in 2026 — updated for Instagram's tall grid, new LinkedIn specs, and current best practices.
Why Dimensions Matter More Than You Think
Social platforms auto-crop images that do not match their expected aspect ratios. A landscape photo uploaded as an Instagram post loses the top and bottom. A square image on Twitter/X gets awkward padding. The result: lower engagement, fewer clicks, and a less professional look.
Research from Fohr, an influencer marketing platform, found that posts using the correct dimensions receive up to 30% more engagement than improperly sized uploads. Getting the pixels right is one of the easiest wins in social media marketing.
Instagram Sizes (2026)
Instagram dropped the square-only grid in 2025 and now uses a 3:4 tall preview format. Vertical content performs best across feed, Stories, and Reels.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Feed post (portrait) | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 |
| Feed post (square) | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 |
| Feed post (tall grid) | 1080 x 1440 | 3:4 |
| Feed post (landscape) | 1080 x 566 | 1.91:1 |
| Stories & Reels | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 |
| Profile picture | 320 x 320 | 1:1 (circle) |
Tip: For maximum feed visibility, use 1080 x 1350 (4:5). It takes up the most screen real estate in the timeline. Resize your images for Instagram in one click.
Facebook Sizes (2026)
Facebook shares many of Instagram's feed dimensions but has its own specs for cover photos, events, and groups.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Feed post (portrait) | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 |
| Feed post (square) | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 |
| Cover photo (page) | 820 x 360 | ~2.3:1 |
| Event cover | 1920 x 1005 | 1.91:1 |
| Group cover | 1640 x 856 | 1.91:1 |
| Profile picture | 176 x 176 | 1:1 (circle) |
| Stories | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 |
Tip: Facebook cover photos look different on desktop (820x312) and mobile (640x360). Keep text and logos in the center to avoid cropping on either device. Resize for Facebook with the right safe zones built in.
Twitter/X Sizes (2026)
Twitter/X favors landscape images in the timeline. Square and portrait formats display but may get cropped unpredictably.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Post image (landscape) | 1600 x 900 | 16:9 |
| Post image (square) | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 |
| Header/banner | 1500 x 500 | 3:1 |
| Profile picture | 400 x 400 | 1:1 (circle) |
Tip: The 16:9 ratio at 1600x900 gives the largest, sharpest display in the feed without any cropping. Resize for Twitter/X to hit these dimensions exactly.
LinkedIn Sizes (2026)
LinkedIn uses its own set of dimensions that differ from other platforms, especially for banner images.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Post image (landscape) | 1200 x 627 | 1.91:1 |
| Post image (square) | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 |
| Profile banner | 1584 x 396 | 4:1 |
| Company banner | 1128 x 191 | ~6:1 |
| Profile picture | 400 x 400 | 1:1 (circle) |
Tip: LinkedIn banners are cropped aggressively on mobile — the sides get cut off. Keep important content in the center 60% of the image. Resize for LinkedIn with safe-zone awareness.
YouTube Sizes (2026)
YouTube thumbnails are arguably the most important images on the platform — they drive click-through rates directly.
| Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Video thumbnail | 1280 x 720 | 16:9 |
| Channel banner | 2560 x 1440 | 16:9 |
| Banner safe zone | 1546 x 423 | (center area) |
| Profile picture | 800 x 800 | 1:1 (circle) |
| Shorts | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 |
Tip: Channel banners display very differently on TV (full 2560x1440), desktop (banner area), and mobile (center strip only). Design for the safe zone first, then expand outward. Create YouTube thumbnails at the exact size YouTube recommends.
Pinterest and TikTok (Bonus)
These two platforms prioritize vertical content almost exclusively.
| Platform | Format | Dimensions (px) | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Pin | 1000 x 1500 | 2:3 | |
| Idea Pin | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | |
| TikTok | Video / Photo | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 |
| TikTok | Profile picture | 200 x 200 | 1:1 |
Tip: For both Pinterest and TikTok, keep text and key visuals in the center 70% of the frame. App interface elements (like, share, comment buttons) overlap the edges of your content on mobile.
Quick Reference Table: All Platforms at a Glance
Bookmark this table. It covers the single most-used image format for each platform — the one that will display correctly without cropping in the main feed.
| Platform | Best feed size (px) | Ratio | Resize tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | Resize | |
| 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | Resize | |
| Twitter/X | 1600 x 900 | 16:9 | Resize |
| 1200 x 627 | 1.91:1 | Resize | |
| YouTube | 1280 x 720 | 16:9 | Resize |
| 1000 x 1500 | 2:3 | Resize | |
| TikTok | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Resize |
Need to resize an image right now? Pick the platform above or use the general image resizer with custom dimensions. For format guidance, see our JPEG vs PNG comparison and image file sizes guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I upload an image with the wrong dimensions?
The platform will crop or scale it automatically, and the result is rarely what you intended. Images may appear stretched, blurry, or have important content cut off. A Fohr study found that properly sized posts receive up to 30% more engagement than improperly sized ones.
Should I use PNG or JPEG for social media?
Use JPEG for photographs and images with gradients — it produces smaller files with no visible quality loss. Use PNG for graphics with text, logos, or sharp edges where JPEG compression might create artifacts. Most platforms accept both formats, and compress them further on upload regardless.
Do I need different images for each platform?
Ideally, yes. A 1080x1350 portrait image works on Instagram and Facebook feeds but gets cropped on Twitter/X and LinkedIn. The safest approach is to create a high-resolution master image and resize it per platform. Vizua's social media resize tools handle this in seconds.