Social Media Image Sizes 2026: The Complete Guide
Upload the wrong size and platforms crop your design, compress it aggressively, or display it blurry. This guide lists the exact pixel dimensions for every image type on every major platform — updated for 2026.
Quick Reference — All Platforms
| Platform | Image type | Size (px) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Thumbnail | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 |
| YouTube | Channel banner | 2560 × 1440 | 16:9 |
| YouTube | Profile photo | 800 × 800 | 1:1 |
| Square post | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 | |
| Portrait post | 1080 × 1350 | 4:5 | |
| Landscape post | 1080 × 566 | 1.91:1 | |
| Story / Reel | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 | |
| Profile photo | 320 × 320 | 1:1 | |
| Twitter / X | Header / banner | 1500 × 500 | 3:1 |
| Twitter / X | Post image | 1200 × 675 | 16:9 |
| Twitter / X | Profile photo | 400 × 400 | 1:1 |
| Profile banner | 1584 × 396 | 4:1 | |
| Company banner | 1128 × 191 | ~6:1 | |
| Post image | 1200 × 627 | 1.91:1 | |
| Profile photo | 400 × 400 | 1:1 | |
| Cover photo | 851 × 315 | ~2.7:1 | |
| Post image | 1200 × 630 | 1.91:1 | |
| Profile photo | 170 × 170 | 1:1 | |
| TikTok | Video cover | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| TikTok | Profile photo | 200 × 200 | 1:1 |
| Pin image | 1000 × 1500 | 2:3 | |
| Profile photo | 165 × 165 | 1:1 |
YouTube Image Sizes
YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world. Getting image sizes right directly affects thumbnail CTR and channel discoverability.
Thumbnail
1280 × 720 px16:9 ratio, max 2MB, JPG or PNG. The most important image on YouTube — thumbnails directly drive click-through rate. Use bold text (3–5 words), high contrast, and a human face for maximum CTR.
Make YouTube thumbnail →Channel banner
2560 × 1440 pxThe full banner size is 2560×1440px, but safe zone for all devices is the central 1546×423px. Keep all important content (logo, tagline) within the safe zone. YouTube crops the banner differently on TV, desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Make YouTube banner →Instagram Image Sizes
Instagram supports multiple aspect ratios in the feed. The platform re-compresses all uploaded images — using JPG at quality 85–90 before upload minimizes visible compression artifacts after Instagram processes the image.
Square post
1080 × 1080 pxThe original Instagram format. Displays at full width in the feed on mobile. Best for products and portraits where vertical framing is not critical.
Portrait post (recommended)
1080 × 1350 px4:5 ratio — takes up more vertical space in the feed, which means more screen real estate and typically higher engagement. The best default for most content.
Landscape post
1080 × 566 px1.91:1 ratio. Takes less vertical space in the feed. Best for wide scenes and group shots where cropping to square or portrait would lose important content.
Story and Reel
1080 × 1920 px9:16 full-screen vertical format. Keep text and key elements in the center 80% of the frame — top and bottom 14% may be obscured by UI elements.
Twitter / X Image Sizes
Header / banner
1500 × 500 px3:1 ratio. Displays behind your profile photo, which covers the bottom-left corner. Keep important content away from the bottom-left 20% of the banner.
Make Twitter header →Post image
1200 × 675 px16:9 ratio for single image tweets. Twitter crops the preview in the timeline — the full image is only shown when clicked. Design so the center of the image communicates the key message at the cropped preview size.
LinkedIn Image Sizes
Personal profile banner
1584 × 396 px4:1 ratio. Displays differently on desktop vs mobile — desktop shows more width, mobile crops to a narrower center strip. Keep all text and logos in the central 60% of the banner width.
Make LinkedIn banner →Post image
1200 × 627 px1.91:1 ratio. LinkedIn is primarily a desktop platform, so the full image is more visible than on mobile-first platforms. Text-heavy images perform well on LinkedIn — use PNG for sharper text rendering.
Facebook Image Sizes
Cover photo
851 × 315 pxDisplays at 851×315px on desktop, 640×360px on mobile. Your profile photo overlaps the bottom-left corner on desktop. Keep the central area clear of the profile photo overlap zone.
Post / shared image
1200 × 630 pxThis is also the recommended OG image size — the image that appears when a URL is shared on Facebook. Any page you want to share on Facebook should have an OG image at 1200×630px.
TikTok and Pinterest
TikTok video cover
1080 × 1920 px9:16 full vertical. TikTok is an entirely mobile-first platform — all content is designed for portrait orientation. The profile grid crops covers to a square center, so keep the key visual in the center third.
Pinterest Pin
1000 × 1500 px2:3 ratio. Pinterest strongly favors vertical images — taller pins take more space in the masonry grid and receive more impressions. The 2:3 ratio is the sweet spot. Avoid going taller than 1:2.1 as Pinterest crops very tall images.
Why Platform Re-compression Matters
Every major social platform re-compresses images when you upload them. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn all apply their own lossy compression to reduce storage and delivery costs. This means:
- Upload at exact recommended dimensions. Uploading a larger image (e.g., 2160×2160px for an Instagram post) forces the platform to downsample first, then compress — two rounds of quality loss.
- Use JPG at quality 85–90. Starting from an already-compressed file adds platform compression on top — quality loss compounds. Start from the original or a high-quality export.
- Use PNG for text-heavy designs. JPEG compression introduces blocky artifacts around high-contrast text edges. PNG preserves sharp text before the platform recompresses it.
- Don't upload WebP to social media. Most platforms do not accept WebP. Convert to JPG or PNG before uploading.
Create Images at the Right Size
ClickThumb creates images at exactly the right dimensions for each platform — no manual resizing needed.
- YouTube Thumbnail Maker — 1280×720px
- YouTube Banner Maker — 2560×1440px
- Instagram Post Maker — 1080×1080px
- Twitter Header Maker — 1500×500px
- LinkedIn Banner Maker — 1584×396px
- Facebook Cover Maker — 851×315px
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard social media image size?
There is no single standard. Common sizes: Instagram post 1080×1080px, YouTube thumbnail 1280×720px, Twitter header 1500×500px, LinkedIn banner 1584×396px. Each platform has its own requirements — always use the platform-specific size.
What size should Instagram posts be in 2026?
Instagram post sizes: Square 1080×1080px (1:1), Portrait 1080×1350px (4:5, recommended for more feed space), Landscape 1080×566px, Story/Reel 1080×1920px (9:16).
What is the LinkedIn banner size?
LinkedIn personal profile banner: 1584×396px. LinkedIn company page banner: 1128×191px. Keep important content in the central 60% of the width to account for mobile cropping.
What size is a Facebook cover photo?
Facebook cover photo: 851×315px on desktop, displayed at 640×360px on mobile. Your profile photo overlaps the bottom-left corner — keep key content away from that area.
Do social media platforms compress images?
Yes. All platforms re-compress uploaded images. To minimize quality loss: upload at exact recommended dimensions, use JPG at quality 85–90, use PNG for text-heavy designs, and never upload already-compressed files.
What image format should I use for social media?
JPG at quality 85–90 for photographs and complex images. PNG for graphics with text, flat colors, or sharp edges. Most platforms do not accept WebP — convert to JPG or PNG before uploading.