This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the essential image and video dimensions you need to know for all major social media platforms in 2025. We’ll also share actionable tips to help you create visuals that not only look great but also perform exceptionally well, helping you connect with your audience and achieve your marketing goals.

Why Getting Social Media Image Sizes Right is Crucial

In social media, first impressions are everything, and they happen in a fraction of a second. High-quality, optimized images are your best tool for making that impression a positive one. Here’s why it matters:

  • Maximizes Visual Appeal and Professionalism: Using the recommended dimensions ensures your images are displayed in the highest possible quality. This sharpness and clarity make your content—and your brand—look more professional and trustworthy.
  • Boosts Engagement: Visual content is processed significantly faster by the human brain than text. Platforms are designed to be visual-first; content that aligns with their display specifications is more likely to grab attention, stop the scroll, and encourage likes, comments, and shares.
  • Avoids Unintended Cropping and Distortion: Each platform has specific ways it displays images in different feeds, on profiles, and across devices. Using the right sizes prevents important parts of your image, like your logo or a key message, from being cut off.
  • Improves Brand Consistency: A consistent visual identity is key to brand recognition. Using correctly sized and branded templates across all your social channels reinforces your brand image and creates a cohesive experience for your followers.

As you build out your brand’s presence, ensuring this consistency extends from your social channels to your website is vital. For web creators who build their sites with WordPress, tools like the Elementor Editor provide complete control over a website’s visual identity. You can set global styles for colors and fonts that match your social media branding, ensuring a seamless visual journey for your audience as they move from discovering you on social media to visiting your professional website.

Facebook Image Sizes

With billions of users, Facebook remains a powerhouse for businesses to connect with their communities. From your profile’s first impression to daily posts and targeted ads, getting your image dimensions right is key to looking professional on the world’s largest social network.

Facebook Profile Picture

Your profile picture is your brand’s primary identifier on Facebook. It appears in your feed posts, comments, search results, and on your main page. Since it’s often seen as a small thumbnail, it needs to be clear and recognizable.

  • Recommended Size: 180 x 180 pixels
  • Display Size (Desktop): 176 x 176 pixels
  • Display Size (Mobile): 196 x 196 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 1:1

Quick Tips:

  • Remember that your profile picture will be cropped into a circle. Ensure your logo or main subject is centered to avoid being cut off.
  • Upload a higher resolution image (e.g., 400 x 400 pixels) to maintain quality across different displays.
  • Use a consistent profile picture across all your social platforms to build brand recognition.

Facebook Cover Photo

Your cover photo is the large banner image at the top of your profile. It’s a prime piece of digital real estate to showcase your brand’s personality, announce promotions, or highlight a key message.

  • Recommended Size: 851 x 315 pixels
  • Display Size (Desktop): 820 x 312 pixels
  • Display Size (Mobile): 640 x 360 pixels
  • Minimum Size: 400 x 150 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.7:1

Quick Tips:

  • Because the display size varies between desktop and mobile, keep your most critical information (like text or logos) centered to avoid it being cropped.
  • For images with text or logos, using a PNG file can provide a sharper result.
  • Update your cover photo regularly to reflect current campaigns, new products, or seasonal themes.

Facebook Feed Posts & Shared Images

These are the most common images you’ll share on Facebook. Optimizing them ensures they stand out in the busy news feed.

  • Landscape: 1200 x 630 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)
  • Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
  • Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
  • Shared Link Image: 1200 x 628 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)

Quick Tips:

  • Portrait (4:5) images take up more vertical screen space on mobile devices, making them more effective at capturing attention.
  • When sharing a link to your website, Facebook automatically pulls a preview image. You can customize this image in your website’s metadata to ensure it’s compelling and correctly sized.
  • For web creators using WordPress, plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math allow you to specify the exact image you want Facebook to show when a page is shared.

Facebook Stories & Reels

Stories and Reels are full-screen, vertical formats designed for immersive mobile viewing. They are perfect for behind-the-scenes content, short tutorials, and interactive posts.

  • Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 9:16

Quick Tips:

  • Leave a “safe zone” of about 14% (250 pixels) at the top and bottom of your image, as this is where the profile icon and call-to-action buttons appear.
  • Use a mix of images and short videos to keep your Stories engaging.
  • Incorporate interactive elements like polls, quizzes, and stickers to boost engagement.

Facebook Ads

Image specifications for ads vary depending on the placement. Using the right dimensions for each ad type is crucial for campaign performance.

  • Feed Ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1) or 1080 x 1350 (4:5)
  • Right Column Ads (Desktop): 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1)
  • Marketplace & Search Ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1)
  • Carousel Ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1) for each image

Instagram Image Sizes

Instagram is a purely visual platform, making image quality and dimensions paramount. From the grid on your profile to fleeting Stories and engaging Reels, every pixel counts.

Instagram Profile Picture

Similar to Facebook, your Instagram profile picture is your digital handshake. It should be instantly recognizable.

  • Recommended Size: 320 x 320 pixels
  • Display Size: 110 x 110 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 1:1

Quick Tips:

  • Your profile picture appears as a circle, so center your logo or headshot.
  • Upload a high-resolution file to prevent pixelation, as users can tap to view a larger version.

Instagram Feed Posts

The Instagram feed is where you build your brand’s visual story. While square images are classic, portrait images are now favored for their ability to command more screen space.

  • Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
  • Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5 aspect ratio)
  • Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (1.91:1 aspect ratio)

Quick Tips:

  • Portrait (4:5) is the top performer. It maximizes your presence in the feed and tends to generate higher engagement.
  • Maintain a consistent aesthetic in your feed through a curated color palette, filter usage, or content theme. This creates a visually appealing grid that can entice users to follow.
  • For carousel posts, you can use any of the above formats, but be sure all images or videos in the carousel share the same dimensions for a smooth swiping experience.

Instagram Stories & Reels

As with Facebook, this vertical, full-screen format is essential for modern Instagram strategy.

  • Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 9:16

Quick Tips:

  • The full 9:16 frame is crucial for Reels and Stories. This is the native format for full-screen mobile viewing.
  • Keep vital text and stickers within the central “safe area” to avoid being obscured by the app’s interface elements.
  • Create custom Highlight covers using these dimensions (1080 x 1920) to organize your best Stories on your profile. Keep the central icon or text small and centered, as it will be displayed in a small circle.

Instagram Ads

Ad dimensions mirror the organic post types, allowing you to create ads that feel native to the user experience.

  • Feed Ads: Match the square (1:1) or portrait (4:5) organic post dimensions.
  • Story & Reels Ads: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)

X (formerly Twitter) Image Sizes

X is a fast-moving platform where visuals can make your posts stand out in a sea of text. Images in the feed, known as the timeline, need to be optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing.

X Profile Photo

Your identity on X, appearing next to every tweet and interaction.

  • Recommended Size: 400 x 400 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 1:1
  • File Formats: JPG, PNG, GIF
  • Max File Size: 2MB

X Header Photo

The banner at the top of your profile page.

  • Recommended Size: 1500 x 500 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 3:1

Quick Tips:

  • Be mindful of how your profile picture overlaps the bottom-left portion of the header. Leave that area clear or design around it.
  • The header image is cropped differently on various devices. Keep important content centered horizontally and vertically.

X In-Stream Photos (Tweets)

Images shared in a tweet have specific display ratios.

  • Recommended Size (Single Image): 1200 x 675 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
  • Multi-Image Posts:
    • 2 Images: 700 x 800 pixels each (displayed side-by-side)
    • 3 Images: Left image at 700 x 800 pixels, two right images at 1200 x 686 pixels (stacked)
    • 4 Images: 1200 x 600 pixels each (displayed in a 2×2 grid)

Quick Tips:

  • While X supports various ratios, the 16:9 landscape format is the most reliable for single-image tweets to avoid unexpected cropping in the timeline.
  • For multi-image posts, think about how the images will interact visually in the grid layout.

X Card Image (Shared Links)

When you share a link, X generates a “card” with a title, description, and an image.

  • Recommended Size: 1200 x 628 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1

Quick Tip: Ensure your website’s metadata is correctly configured to pull the right image for the card. A compelling image can dramatically increase the click-through rate on your links.

LinkedIn Image Sizes

As the world’s premier professional network, LinkedIn demands a polished and corporate-appropriate visual strategy. High-quality images for your personal profile, company page, and posts are non-negotiable.

LinkedIn Personal Profile

  • Profile Picture: 400 x 400 pixels (1:1)
  • Banner Image: 1584 x 396 pixels (4:1)

Quick Tips:

  • Use a professional headshot for your profile picture.
  • Your banner image is a great place to showcase your company, your area of expertise, or a call-to-action related to your professional goals.

LinkedIn Company Page

  • Company Logo: 300 x 300 pixels (1:1)
  • Cover Image: 1128 x 191 pixels (5.9:1)

Quick Tip: The cover image is narrower than the personal banner. Focus on a simple, clean design that reinforces your brand identity.

LinkedIn Feed Posts

  • Shared Image: 1200 x 1200 pixels (1:1 square is recommended for best visibility)
  • Shared Link Preview Image: 1200 x 627 pixels (1.91:1)
  • Carousel Post: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1) for each slide

Quick Tips:

  • Square (1:1) images perform very well in the LinkedIn feed, occupying a good amount of space on both mobile and desktop.
  • Carousel posts are highly effective for breaking down complex information, sharing event takeaways, or creating step-by-step guides.

LinkedIn Articles

  • Article Cover Image: 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9)

Quick Tip: A strong, relevant cover image for your LinkedIn articles can significantly improve clicks and readership.

Pinterest Image Sizes

Pinterest is a visual discovery engine where aesthetics are everything. Users come here for inspiration, making high-quality, vertically-oriented images essential for success.

Pinterest Profile Picture

  • Recommended Size: 165 x 165 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 1:1

Pinterest Pins

The core of the platform is the Pin. Vertical formats are strongly favored by the Pinterest algorithm because they fit the mobile-first, scrolling-heavy user experience.

  • Standard Pin (Recommended): 1000 x 1500 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 2:3

Quick Tips:

  • Always use a 2:3 aspect ratio. Pinterest has stated that other ratios may be truncated or perform poorly in user feeds.
  • Design Pins with text overlay to provide context and encourage clicks. Use bold, readable fonts.
  • Brand your Pins with your logo and website URL to drive traffic and build recognition.
  • While longer Pins (e.g., 1000 x 2100 pixels) can work for infographics, be aware that they might get cut off in the feed.

Pinterest Video Pins & Idea Pins

Video is increasingly popular on Pinterest. Idea Pins are a multi-page format similar to Stories.

  • Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 9:16

Pinterest Carousel Pins

  • Recommended Size: 1000 x 1000 pixels (1:1) or 1000 x 1500 pixels (2:3)
  • Consistency is key: All images in a carousel should have the same dimensions.

TikTok Video & Image Sizes

TikTok is the undisputed king of short-form vertical video. To succeed here, you must create content specifically for its full-screen, sound-on environment.

TikTok Profile Photo

  • Recommended Size: 200 x 200 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 1:1

TikTok Videos

  • Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 9:16

Quick Tips:

  • Shoot vertically. Do not try to repurpose landscape video without editing it for the 9:16 format.
  • Keep captions and on-screen text out of the bottom and right edges of the screen, as they will be covered by the app’s UI (username, caption, sounds, etc.).
  • The first 3 seconds are critical. Grab the viewer’s attention immediately to stop them from scrolling.

TikTok Image Posts (Carousels)

TikTok now supports photo-only posts, which function as carousels that users can swipe through.

  • Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)

YouTube Image & Video Sizes

YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine, making it a crucial platform for brand building, tutorials, and in-depth content.

YouTube Profile Picture (Channel Icon)

  • Recommended Size: 800 x 800 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (displays as a circle)

YouTube Channel Banner

This is the large banner at the top of your channel page. It has a complex safe area to account for display on TVs, desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.

  • Recommended Size: 2560 x 1440 pixels
  • Minimum Safe Area for Text & Logos (Mobile): 1235 x 338 pixels

Quick Tip: Design your banner at the full 2560 x 1440 size, but ensure all critical information is contained within the central safe area so it’s visible on all devices.

YouTube Video

  • Standard Video: 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9

YouTube Shorts

  • Recommended Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 9:16

YouTube Video Thumbnail

The thumbnail is arguably the most important image on YouTube. It’s the primary factor that influences a user’s decision to click on your video.

  • Recommended Size: 1280 x 720 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Quick Tips:

  • Use high-contrast colors and a clear, bold font.
  • Include a human face with an expressive emotion where possible.
  • Keep the design uncluttered and easy to understand at a small size.

As you drive traffic from YouTube to your website for tutorials or product pages, a professional and consistent design is essential. Web creators using a platform like Elementor can design custom landing pages or blog post layouts that mirror the branding of their YouTube channel. The Theme Builder feature, for instance, allows for full control over templates, ensuring that the user experience is cohesive from the YouTube thumbnail all the way to the final web page. 

Emerging Platforms: Snapchat & Threads

Stay ahead of the curve by optimizing for these growing networks.

Snapchat

Snapchat is all about instant, vertical content.

  • Image & Video Ads: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)
  • Geofilter: 1080 x 2340 pixels (PNG with a transparent background)

Threads by Instagram

Meta’s text-based conversational app pulls its visual identity from Instagram but has its own nuances.

  • Profile Picture: Syncs with your Instagram profile (320 x 320 pixels)
  • Shared Images: Supports square (1080×1080), landscape (1080×566), and portrait (1080×1350) formats, just like Instagram feed posts.

General Best Practices for All Platforms

Beyond getting the dimensions right, follow these universal tips to elevate your social media visuals:

  • Prioritize High-Quality Images: Always use the highest resolution images possible. It’s better to scale down a large, crisp image than to stretch a small, pixelated one.
  • Maintain Brand Consistency: Use a consistent color palette, typography, and logo placement across all your visuals. This strengthens your brand identity and makes your content instantly recognizable.
  • Optimize for Mobile: The vast majority of social media is consumed on mobile devices. Design your images with a small screen in mind. Keep text large and legible, and ensure key visuals are clear even at thumbnail size.
  • Use the Right File Format:
    • JPG: Best for photographs and images with complex color gradients. It offers good quality at a smaller file size.
    • PNG: Ideal for graphics, logos, and images with text or transparent backgrounds. It preserves sharpness.
    • GIF: For short, simple animations.
  • Keep Accessibility in Mind: Add descriptive alt text to your images. This helps visually impaired users understand your content via screen readers and can also provide SEO benefits.
  • Test and Analyze: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different visual styles. Use each platform’s analytics to see what resonates most with your audience and refine your strategy accordingly.

Conclusion

Mastering social media image sizes is a critical skill for any modern web creator, marketer, or business. It’s the foundation upon which a professional, engaging, and effective social media presence is built. While the specific dimensions may evolve, the core principles of quality, clarity, and brand consistency remain constant.

By using this guide as your go-to resource for 2025, you can ensure your content is always optimized to make the best possible first impression. Take the time to create visuals that are not only properly sized but also compelling and on-brand. In doing so, you’ll be well-equipped to stop the scroll, capture attention, and turn casual viewers into a loyal community.