Every social media platform renders images differently. Instagram crops feed images to a square in the profile grid. Twitter scales down images that exceed its timeline width. LinkedIn generates a thumbnail for link previews that looks nothing like the original if the aspect ratio is wrong. Using the wrong image dimensions means your content looks unprofessional, gets cropped unexpectedly, or loses visual impact.
This guide covers the exact pixel dimensions for every major social media platform in 2025, along with practical tips for each one.
Instagram Feed Post: 1080×1080 px (1:1)
The square format is Instagram's default and safest choice. It displays correctly in the feed, the profile grid, and carousel posts. Instagram also supports portrait (1080×1350 px, 4:5) and landscape (1080×608 px, 1.91:1) for feed posts, but square images look consistent across all placements.
Instagram Story / Reel Cover: 1080×1920 px (9:16)
Stories and Reels use a full-screen vertical format. Keep important content within the central 1080×1420 px safe zone — the top and bottom 250 px may be covered by the UI. Instagram compresses stories more aggressively than feed posts, so start at the highest quality available.
Facebook Feed Post: 1200×630 px (1.91:1)
Facebook's news feed displays images at a 1.91:1 ratio. This is also the standard og:image size for link previews, so using 1200×630 px ensures your image looks correct when a page is shared on Facebook.
Facebook Cover Photo: 820×312 px (desktop)
Cover photos display at 820×312 px on desktop and 640×360 px on mobile. Design with the main content centred to accommodate both crops. Facebook compresses cover photos significantly, so use a high-quality source image.
Twitter / X
Twitter Post Image: 1200×675 px (16:9)
Images attached to tweets display as large inline previews in the timeline. A 16:9 image (1200×675 px) fills the full width of the timeline column without cropping. Twitter accepts JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP up to 5 MB for static images.
Twitter Profile Header: 1500×500 px (3:1)
The profile header is displayed behind the profile photo. The circular profile photo sits in the bottom-left corner of the header, so avoid placing important content in that area. Keep key visuals within the central 1200×500 px area for best results across desktop and mobile.
LinkedIn Post Image: 1200×627 px (1.91:1)
LinkedIn's feed column is approximately 600 px wide, but images are stored at 1200 px wide for high-DPI screens. The 1.91:1 ratio matches the og:image standard, making 1200×627 px the ideal size for posts and article thumbnails alike.
YouTube
YouTube Thumbnail: 1280×720 px (16:9)
YouTube thumbnails appear in search results, suggested videos, and the channel page. At 1280×720 px HD resolution, your thumbnail is sharp on all screen sizes. Maximum file size is 2 MB. Use bold text, high contrast, and a clear focal point to stand out in a crowded feed.
Pinterest Standard Pin: 1000×1500 px (2:3)
Pinterest is a vertical-first platform. The 2:3 aspect ratio is Pinterest's recommended standard because it displays the full image in the feed without cropping. Taller pins take up more screen space and typically receive more saves and clicks than square or horizontal images.
Quick Reference Table
- Instagram Post: 1080×1080 px (1:1 square)
- Instagram Story / Reel: 1080×1920 px (9:16 vertical)
- Facebook Post: 1200×630 px (1.91:1)
- Facebook Cover: 820×312 px (desktop)
- Twitter Post: 1200×675 px (16:9)
- Twitter Header: 1500×500 px (3:1)
- LinkedIn Post: 1200×627 px (1.91:1)
- YouTube Thumbnail: 1280×720 px (16:9)
- Pinterest Pin: 1000×1500 px (2:3)
General Tips for All Platforms
- Always start from the highest-quality source image. Upscaling a small image to the required dimensions produces a blurry result.
- Every platform applies its own compression after upload. Save JPEG images at 85–90% quality to minimise the visible effect of the platform's compression.
- Keep branding elements (logos, text, CTAs) in the safe zone — away from edges that may be cropped on different screen sizes.
- For platforms that support WebP (Google Discover, Pinterest), use WebP to reduce file size while maintaining quality.
- Test how your image looks on both desktop and mobile before publishing — the same image can look very different across placements.