# Social media image sizes: posts, profiles and banners for every network Canonical: https://postmesh.app/blog/social-media-image-sizes By PostMesh team. Published 2026-10-26; updated 2026-10-31. A 1080 x 1350 photo (4:5) fits the feeds of Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn, and 1080 x 1920 (9:16) fits Stories, Reels and Shorts. Covers are network-specific: YouTube recommends a 2560 x 1440 banner and 3840 x 2160 thumbnails, LinkedIn a 1584 x 396 background, Pinterest 1000 x 1500 Pins, and a Facebook Page cover loads fastest at 851 x 315. Every size on this page comes from the network's own help center or developer documentation, opened and checked for this update and listed under Sources. Most size charts online repeat each other's numbers, and some of those numbers were never published by the network at all. Where a network doesn't state a size on any page we could open, this guide says so plainly rather than filling the gap with a guess. Each network also has a deeper guide or a free resizer, linked in its section. ## The short answer If you only have time for one rule, make photos 1,080 pixels wide and pick the shape by where they'll appear. Feed photos look best tall, at 4:5. Anything full screen, like a Story, Reel or Short, is 9:16. Profile pictures are square, and Facebook crops its to a circle, so keep the subject in the middle. Banners and covers are the exception: each network uses its own wide shape and crops it differently on phones and computers. **Where will the image appear?** - In a feed (Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn) → 1080 x 1350 at 4:5, or 1080 x 1080 square - Full screen (Story, Reel, Short) → 1080 x 1920 at 9:16 - As a video thumbnail on YouTube → 3840 x 2160 at 16:9, at least 640 px wide - As a banner, cover or header → The network's own size: see the table below *Shapes from Instagram Help, Meta's Threads docs, LinkedIn Help and YouTube Help.* | Network | Feed or post image | Vertical format | Profile picture | Banner or cover | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Instagram | 1080 wide, 1.91:1 to 3:4 in the app; 4:5 to 1.91:1 through the API | 9:16 (1080 x 1920) for Stories and Reels | No size on the help pages used here | None | | Facebook Page | No pixel size published; API files up to 10 MB | Not covered on the pages used here | 320 x 320, shown as a circle | 851 x 315 loads fastest, at least 400 x 150 | | Threads | 320 to 1,440 px wide, up to 10:1 | 9:16 recommended for video | No size on the pages used here | None | | X | No pixel size published; photos up to 5 MB, up to 4 per post | Video between 1:3 and 3:1 | 400 x 400, up to 2 MB | 1500 x 500 header | | LinkedIn | At least 552 x 276, 1,080 wide recommended, 3:1 to 4:5 | Inside the 4:5 limit | 400 x 400 to 7680 x 4320 | 1584 x 396 (profile), 1512 x 256 (Page) | | YouTube | Thumbnails 3840 x 2160 | Shorts thumbnails 2160 x 3840 | Shown at 98 x 98 | 2560 x 1440, at least 2048 x 1152 | | Pinterest | 1000 x 1500 (2:3) | Video Pins up to 1:2 | Not on the specs page | Not on the specs page | | Reddit community | Not covered on the help pages used here | Not covered | Community icon 300 x 300 | Community banner at least 1072 x 128 (1080 x 128 on mobile) | | Discord | Not applicable | Not applicable | PNG or GIF, no size given | Profile banner at least 680 x 240; server banner 960 x 540 | | Slack | Not applicable | Not applicable | 512 x 512 to 1024 x 1024 | None | The rest of this guide goes network by network, then covers how to make one image work everywhere, why images come out blurry or cropped, and what PostMesh sends to each network when you schedule a post. ## How do you read a size from a network's docs? Networks describe image sizes in four different ways, and mixing them up is behind most bad uploads. Before the network-by-network detail, here's what each kind of number means. ### Recommended size The size the network suggests you upload, such as YouTube's 2560 x 1440 banner. Uploading at this size means the network scales your image down for smaller screens rather than up, which keeps it sharp. When a network gives a recommended size, use it. ### Minimum size The smallest image the network accepts or keeps sharp, such as LinkedIn's 552 x 276 minimum for post photos. A minimum isn't a target. An image right at the minimum is shown at its softest, and some networks enlarge anything below it: Instagram stretches photos narrower than 320 pixels up to 320. ### Display size How big the image appears on screen, such as the 98 x 98 pixels a YouTube profile picture renders at. Display sizes are small on purpose, and uploading at the display size usually looks soft on high-density phone screens. Treat a display size as a reason to keep the design simple, not as the size to export. ### Aspect ratio and file limits The ratio is the shape: width divided by height. 4:5 is 0.8, 1:1 is 1, 1.91:1 is 1.91. To get a height from a width, divide by the ratio: 1,080 wide at 4:5 is 1,080 divided by 0.8, which is 1,350. File limits cap the size on disk, such as 5 MB for an X photo, and sometimes the format, such as JPEG only for Instagram's API. > Many networks have two rule sets: one for their own app and one for their publishing API, which schedulers use. Instagram is the clearest case. Its app keeps photos as tall as 3:4, but its API stops at 4:5. Where the two differ, this guide shows both. ## What size are Instagram posts, Stories and Reel covers? Instagram's help article on [image resolution](https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/1631821640426723) says the app uploads photos at up to 1,080 pixels wide. A photo between 320 and 1,080 pixels wide keeps its resolution if its shape is between 1.91:1 and 3:4, which at 1,080 wide means a height of 566 to 1,440 pixels. Narrower photos are enlarged to 320 pixels wide, wider ones are reduced to 1,080, and shapes outside the range are cropped. ### Feed photos | Shape | Ratio | Size at 1,080 wide | App | API | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Portrait | 4:5 | 1080 x 1350 | Kept | Accepted, the tallest allowed | | Square | 1:1 | 1080 x 1080 | Kept | Accepted | | Horizontal | 1.91:1 | 1080 x 566 | Kept | Accepted, the widest allowed | | Tall portrait | 3:4 | 1080 x 1440 | Kept | Outside the range | Meta's [IG User Media reference](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-platform/instagram-graph-api/reference/ig-user/media), which governs schedulers and other apps, sets different rules for feed images: JPEG only, 8 MB at most, 320 to 1,440 pixels wide, a shape between 4:5 and 1.91:1, and sRGB color, with other color spaces converted. That's why 1080 x 1350 is the safest portrait size: it's the tallest shape both the app and the API accept. The [Instagram post size guide](/blog/instagram-post-size) has worked examples, and the free [Instagram photo resizer](/tools/instagram-photo-resizer) exports each shape. ### Carousels Instagram's help page on [sharing multiple photos or videos](https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/269314186824048) allows up to 20 items in one post, and the orientation you pick, square, portrait or horizontal, applies to all of them. The API reference also allows up to 20 images, videos or a mix. Every slide is shown in one shape, so export them all at the size of the first slide. To spread one wide picture across several slides, multiply the slide width by the number of slides: three 4:5 slides make a 3240 x 1350 canvas. The [carousel splitter](/tools/instagram-carousel-splitter) cuts a wide image into equal slides, and the [grid maker](/tools/instagram-grid-maker) does the same for a profile grid. ### Stories Meta's API reference recommends 9:16 for Story images to avoid cropping or blank space, which is 1080 x 1920 at full width, and limits them to JPEG files of 8 MB or less. The [guide to blurry Stories](/blog/why-is-my-instagram-story-blurry) covers the other reasons a Story can come out soft. ### Reels and Reel covers Instagram's [Reel size page](https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/1038071743007909) accepts Reels between 1.91:1 and 9:16, with at least 30 frames per second and a resolution of at least 720 pixels. It recommends a cover photo of 420 x 654 pixels, a 1:1.55 ratio, and notes that you can't edit the cover after you upload it. When a cover is set through the API, Meta's reference adds that a cover that isn't 9:16 is cropped to its middle 9:16 area, and when the Reel is shared to the feed, the middle square is used. Keep a cover's subject and text in the center and it survives all three shapes. Reel length and frame rate are in the [Instagram Reel size guide](/blog/instagram-reel-size), and the [guide to posts, Stories and Reels](/blog/instagram-post-vs-story-vs-reel) explains which format suits what. ### Profile photo None of the Instagram help pages used here gives a profile photo size. Use a square image larger than you think you need, with the face or logo in the middle and some space around it, so a round crop doesn't clip it. ## What size are Facebook profile pictures and cover photos? Facebook's help article on [Page profile picture and cover photo dimensions](https://www.facebook.com/help/125379114252045) is where Facebook gives pixel sizes for organic images, and it's written for Pages. A separate set of numbers for personal profiles isn't published on the help pages we could open. ### Page profile picture The profile picture shows at 176 x 176 pixels on computers, 196 x 196 on smartphones and 36 x 36 on most feature phones, cropped to a circle. Facebook recommends uploading it at 320 x 320 pixels for the best quality. At 36 pixels a detailed logo turns into a smudge, so a simple mark with strong contrast reads best. ### Page cover photo A cover photo must be at least 400 x 150 pixels. Facebook says it loads fastest as an sRGB JPG file that's 851 x 315 pixels and under 100 kilobytes. The cover is left-aligned and fills the full width on both computers and phones, but at a different shape on each: 16:9 on a computer and 2.4:1 on a phone. On phones, the profile picture overlaps the cover by about 40 pixels. **Cover on a computer** - Left-aligned, full width - 16:9 aspect ratio - At least 400 x 150 - 851 x 315 sRGB JPG loads fastest **Cover on a phone** - Left-aligned, full width - 2.4:1 aspect ratio - At least 400 x 150 - Profile picture overlaps by about 40 px *Source: Facebook Help, Page profile picture and cover photo dimensions.* Those shapes don't match each other or the 851 x 315 recommendation, which works out to about 2.7:1. In practice it means the edges of a cover get trimmed on at least one kind of screen. Keep text and logos in the middle of the image, away from the bottom left where the profile picture sits on phones. The same page notes that a PNG may give better results for a profile picture or cover that contains a logo or text. The [Facebook cover photo resizer](/tools/facebook-cover-photo-resizer) crops a cover, profile picture or post image in your browser. ### Feed photos on a Page Facebook's help center doesn't give a pixel size for feed photos. Meta's [Page Photos API reference](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/graph-api/reference/page/photos/) does set the file rules for photos apps post to a Page: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF or TIFF, no larger than 10 MB. It recommends keeping PNG files under 1 MB, or the image may look pixelated, and says Facebook resizes images to several dimensions to display them in different places. A 1,080-pixel-wide JPEG fits those rules for any shape. ## What size are Threads images? Meta's [Threads API overview](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/threads/overview) allows a far wider range of shapes than Instagram. Photos can be JPEG or PNG, up to 8 MB, between 320 and 1,440 pixels wide, with a ratio limit of 10:1. Narrower images are scaled up and wider ones scaled down, and images in color spaces other than sRGB are converted. ### Which shape works best on Threads Because Threads accepts almost any shape, the choice is about how the post looks. A 4:5 portrait at 1080 x 1350 takes up the most space in a vertical feed without being an extreme shape, and it's the same file you'd use for Instagram and LinkedIn. Very tall or very wide images are allowed, but they show small on a phone. The [Threads photo resizer](/tools/threads-photo-resizer) crops to a portrait post or a profile picture. ### Carousels and video A Threads carousel holds 2 to 20 items. For video, the overview recommends 9:16 to avoid cropping or blank space, allows ratios from 0.01:1 to 10:1 and a maximum width of 1,920 pixels, and limits files to 1 GB and 5 minutes. Threads' API documentation doesn't give a profile picture size. ## What size are X images? X's developer [media best practices](https://docs.x.com/x-api/media/quickstart/best-practices) page sets the file rules for posts. You can attach up to 4 photos, 1 animated GIF or 1 video to a post. Photos can be JPG, PNG, GIF or WEBP files of 5 MB or less. The page doesn't give a pixel size for photos. ### Animated GIFs Animated GIFs have their own limits: 15 MB, at most 1280 x 1080 pixels, no more than 350 frames, and no more than 300 million pixels in total, counted as width times height times the number of frames. A 1280 x 1080 GIF reaches that pixel total at about 217 frames, well before the 350-frame cap, so large GIFs need to be shorter or smaller. X also warns that a GIF can fail even when it's under the file size limit. ### Video dimensions For video, X recommends 1280 x 720 for horizontal, 720 x 1280 for vertical and 720 x 720 for square, with a ratio between 1:3 and 3:1. The same page says subscribed users can upload 1080p video and get 1080p playback, while other accounts get 720p. ### Header and profile photo X's help page on [uploading a profile photo](https://help.x.com/en/managing-your-account/common-issues-when-uploading-profile-photo) recommends 400 x 400 pixels for a profile photo and 1500 x 500 for a header, a 3:1 shape. Profile photos can be JPEG, GIF or PNG files of up to 2 MB. If a header at the recommended size still looks cropped, the same page explains that headers display differently on different monitors and browsers, and up to 60 pixels can be cut from the top and the bottom. That leaves a band of about 1500 x 380 in the middle that's always visible, so keep text and logos inside it. The [X header resizer](/tools/x-header-resizer) exports a header, a profile photo or a post image. ## What size are LinkedIn images? LinkedIn publishes sizes for nearly every image slot, spread over several help pages. Here they are together. The [LinkedIn post size guide](/blog/linkedin-post-size) covers video, documents and carousels in more depth. | Image | Size | File rules | Source | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Post photo | At least 552 x 276; 1,080 wide recommended; 3:1 to 4:5 | Up to 5 MB per upload; up to 20 photos in one post | Share photos on LinkedIn | | Profile photo | Between 400 x 400 and 7680 x 4320 | PNG or JPG, up to 8 MB, no GIFs | Photo won't upload to your profile | | Profile background | 1584 x 396 recommended | JPG or PNG, under 8 MB | Cover image on your profile | | Page logo | At least 268 x 268; 400 x 400 recommended | PNG or JPEG, up to 3 MB | Image specs for Pages | | Page cover | 1512 x 256, minimum and recommended | PNG or JPEG, up to 3 MB | Image specs for Pages | | Link post image on a Page | 1.91:1 (1200 x 627), over 200 px wide | PNG or JPEG, up to 3 MB | Image specs for Pages | | Life tab main image | 1128 x 376 | PNG or JPEG, up to 3 MB | Image specs for Pages | ### Post photos LinkedIn's guide to [sharing photos](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a527229) sets the minimum at 552 x 276 pixels and recommends 1,080 pixels wide. The shape can range from 3:1 to 4:5. A photo wider than 3:1 is centered and cropped to fit, and you can't resize or edit a photo after it's posted. At 1,080 wide, that range runs from 1080 x 360 to 1080 x 1350, so the same 4:5 file you made for Instagram works here too. ### Profile photo and background LinkedIn's page on a [profile photo that won't upload](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a549049) lists the rules: PNG or JPG, no GIFs, up to 8 MB, and between 400 x 400 and 7680 x 4320 pixels. The [profile cover image page](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a568217) recommends 1584 x 396 pixels for the background, as a JPG or PNG under 8 MB. The [LinkedIn banner resizer](/tools/linkedin-banner-resizer) exports a background, a Page cover or a profile photo, and the [LinkedIn photo resizer](/tools/linkedin-photo-resizer) does post images. ### Company Page images LinkedIn's [image specifications for Pages](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a563309) require PNG or JPEG files of 3 MB or less. The logo should be at least 268 x 268 and ideally 400 x 400. The cover is 1512 x 256, which is both the minimum and the recommendation. Career Pages add a Life tab with a 1128 x 376 main image, 502 x 282 custom modules and company photos of at least 264 x 176, ideally 900 x 600. For best resolution, the page suggests a high-resolution JPEG over a PNG, and says images on mobile aren't cropped: other shapes get white padding instead. ### Through LinkedIn's API Microsoft's [Images API documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/linkedin/marketing/community-management/shares/images-api) for LinkedIn accepts JPG, GIF and PNG images with fewer than 36,152,320 pixels, and GIFs of up to 250 frames. That's roughly a 6,000 x 6,000 square, far beyond what any post needs. Alt text can be up to 4,086 characters, with under 120 recommended. ## What size are YouTube thumbnails, banners and profile pictures? YouTube's sizes come from two help pages: one for thumbnails and one for channel branding. Both were checked for this update. - 3840 x 2160: Recommended video thumbnail - 2560 x 1440: Recommended channel banner - 1235 x 338: Banner safe area at the 2048 x 1152 minimum - 98 x 98: Size a profile picture renders at *Sources: YouTube Help, add custom thumbnails, and manage your channel branding.* ### Video thumbnails YouTube's page on [custom thumbnails](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72431) recommends 3840 x 2160 pixels at 16:9, with a minimum width of 640 pixels, as a JPG or PNG. The file limit depends on where you upload: 2 MB from the mobile app and 50 MB on a computer. You need a verified account to upload your own thumbnail; without verification you can only pick one of the automatic suggestions. The [YouTube thumbnail size guide](/blog/youtube-thumbnail-size) covers composition, and the [thumbnail resizer](/tools/youtube-thumbnail-resizer) exports the canvas. ### Shorts thumbnails and the Shorts shape For Shorts, the same page recommends 2160 x 3840 pixels at 9:16, with a minimum height of 640 pixels, and says custom Shorts thumbnails can currently only be added in YouTube Studio on a computer. YouTube's page on [three-minute Shorts](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15424877) says that, for videos uploaded after October 15, 2024, a square or vertical video up to three minutes long is treated as a Short. To keep a video out of Shorts, YouTube suggests a wider shape such as 16:9. ### Channel banner and safe area YouTube's page on [channel branding](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/10456525) sets a minimum banner of 2048 x 1152 pixels at 16:9 and recommends 2560 x 1440, especially for TV. The file must be 6 MB or smaller. The same banner is shown on computers, phones and TVs, and larger screens show the whole image while other views crop it. Only the safe area, 1235 x 338 pixels at the minimum size, is shown everywhere, so names and logos go there. If you design at 2560 x 1440 instead, scaling the safe area by the same 1.25 gives about 1544 x 423 pixels in the middle. The [YouTube banner size guide](/blog/youtube-banner-size) and the [banner resizer](/tools/youtube-banner-resizer) cover the rest. ### Profile picture and watermark A profile picture can be a JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG file, not animated, no larger than 15 MB, and renders at 98 x 98 pixels. YouTube doesn't give an upload size beyond that, so upload a square well above 98 pixels and keep the design simple enough to read at that size. The branding page also covers the video watermark: a square image of at least 150 x 150 pixels, under 1 MB. ## What size are Pinterest Pins? Pinterest's [product specs](https://help.pinterest.com/en/business/article/pinterest-product-specs) page is written for ads, but it marks which formats can also be used for organic Pins. The sizes below are from formats marked that way. ### Standard Pins A standard image Pin is a PNG or JPEG, up to 20 MB on desktop or 32 MB in the app. Pinterest recommends a 2:3 ratio, which is 1000 x 1500 pixels, and warns that Pins taller than 2:3 might get cut off in feeds. The [Pinterest pin resizer](/tools/pinterest-pin-resizer) crops to that shape. ### Carousels, collections and video Pins **Standard Pin** - 2:3, 1000 x 1500 recommended - PNG or JPEG - 20 MB desktop, 32 MB in the app - Taller than 2:3 may be cut off **Carousel Pin** - 2 to 5 images - 1:1 or 2:3 - PNG or JPEG - 20 MB per image **Video Pin** - Between 1:2 and 1.91:1 - 1:1, 2:3, 4:5 or 9:16 recommended - MP4, MOV or M4V up to 2 GB - 4 seconds to 15 minutes *Source: Pinterest Help, Pinterest product specs (formats marked for organic use).* Collections Pins use a hero image of 1:1 or 2:3 up to 10 MB, plus secondary images in the same shape. Pinterest recommends at least 3 and allows up to 24 secondary images, and crops any that aren't square at the center, so square gives you the most control. The specs page doesn't cover profile pictures or profile covers. ## What about Reddit, Discord, TikTok, Slack and Telegram? These networks publish fewer image sizes, and some publish none at all for the slots people ask about most. Here's what each one's own pages say, and where they're silent. ### Reddit Reddit's help center gives sizes for community images, which moderators set, but none for user profile pictures or profile banners in the articles we could find. Reddit's [banner article](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/15484339588884-Banner) asks for a community banner of at least 1072 x 128 pixels on desktop and at least 1080 x 128 on mobile, with 1080 x 128 recommended in the iOS and Android apps. The [community icon article](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/15484265952660-Community-icon) says the icon is a 300 x 300 image. A banner at about 8.4:1 is a thin strip, so design it as one: a pattern, a band of color or a short name in the middle, not a photo that needs its full height. The [Reddit banner resizer](/tools/reddit-banner-resizer) crops a banner or avatar canvas in your browser. ### Discord Discord's article on [custom profiles](https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403147417623-Custom-Profiles) says avatars can be PNG or GIF files, with animated GIF avatars for Nitro subscribers only. It doesn't give an avatar size. Profile banners are a Nitro feature, and must be PNG, JPG or animated GIF files under 10 MB, at least 680 x 240 pixels. Server banners follow different rules. Discord's [server banners](https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028716472-Server-Banners) article asks for an image or GIF of at least 960 x 540 pixels at 16:9, which is also the recommended size, and says a 1920 x 1080 image is resized automatically. It suggests keeping the top 48 pixels simple and avoiding logos or text in the banner. Static server banners need Boosting Level 2 and animated ones Level 3, unless the server is a Discord Partner. The [Discord banner resizer](/tools/discord-banner-resizer) crops profile and server banners. ### TikTok TikTok's help center and developer pages couldn't be opened for this update, so this guide doesn't list TikTok pixel sizes rather than repeat numbers it couldn't check. What PostMesh can tell you is what it sends: a TikTok photo post holds up to 35 JPEG or WebP images of up to 20 MB each, with a title of up to 90 characters, and goes to TikTok on its own rather than alongside other networks. The [TikTok photo resizer](/tools/tiktok-photo-resizer) crops a vertical cover or a profile picture, and the [guide to scheduling TikTok videos](/blog/how-to-schedule-tiktok-videos) covers the rest of the posting rules. ### Slack Slack's help page on [uploading a profile photo](https://slack.com/help/articles/115005506003-Upload-a-profile-photo) says a profile picture should be at least 512 x 512 pixels and no larger than 1024 x 1024. The [Slack photo resizer](/tools/slack-photo-resizer) crops a square within that range. ### Telegram Telegram's [FAQ](https://telegram.org/faq) doesn't give a profile photo size. What it does say is that photos, videos and files can be up to 2 GB each, or 4 GB with Telegram Premium, so file size is rarely the problem. A centered square is the safe choice for a profile photo, and the [Telegram photo resizer](/tools/telegram-photo-resizer) makes one. ## How do I resize one image for every network? You rarely need a different photo for every network. One well-prepared file covers most feeds, and a couple of extra crops cover the rest. Here's a workflow that holds up against every rule above. 1. **Start from the largest original**: Work from the full-size photo or design file. Scaling down keeps detail; scaling up never adds it back. 2. **Make a 4:5 master at 1080 x 1350**: It fits Instagram's app and API, Threads and LinkedIn without cropping. Keep the subject in the middle third. 3. **Make a 1:1 copy at 1080 x 1080**: Use it where a square suits better: graphics with text, square carousels, and as the base for profile pictures. 4. **Make a 9:16 copy at 1080 x 1920 if you need one**: For Stories, Reels covers and Shorts thumbnails. Extend the background rather than stretching the photo. 5. **Export JPEG in sRGB**: JPEG is the only format Instagram's API takes, and every feed in this guide accepts it. Keep files under 5 MB so X and LinkedIn take them too. 6. **Check each file at phone size**: Look at it on a phone before posting. Text that reads on a monitor can vanish at feed size. 1. Start from the full-size original 2. Crop a 4:5 master at 1080 x 1350 3. Add a 1:1 copy at 1080 x 1080 4. Add a 9:16 copy at 1080 x 1920 if needed 5. Export JPEG in sRGB, under 5 MB *A 4:5 master covers the feeds of Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn; the extra crops cover the rest.* ### Worked example: one product photo Say you have a 4000 x 3000 photo of a product, a horizontal 4:3 shot. Crop a 4:5 portrait around the product and resize it to 1080 x 1350: that's your post for Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn. Crop a 2:3 version at 1000 x 1500 for Pinterest, which keeps a little more height. The original 4:3 shape would also suit X, whose media docs don't set a photo shape, as long as the exported file stays under 5 MB. Three crops of one photo, and every network gets a file it keeps at full quality. ### Worked example: one banner design Banners don't share shapes, so plan the design rather than the file. Put your name or logo in a compact block, then build each banner around it: 2560 x 1440 for YouTube with the block inside the central safe area, 1584 x 396 for a LinkedIn profile background, 1512 x 256 for a LinkedIn Page, 1500 x 500 for an X header with the block inside the middle 380 pixels, and 851 x 315 for a Facebook Page with the bottom left kept clear. Because the YouTube safe area is wide and short, a block that fits it will usually fit the other banners too. > If your design has text, check the sizes in the [social media character limits guide](/blog/social-media-character-limits) as well. A caption that's too long fails just as surely as an image that's the wrong shape. ## Why does my image look blurry or cropped? Almost every blurry or badly cropped upload comes from one of a handful of causes, and each is fixable before you post. ### It started below the network's size A small image gets enlarged to fill the space, and enlarging spreads the same detail over more pixels. Instagram enlarges anything under 320 pixels wide, Threads scales up anything under 320, and YouTube thumbnails need at least 640 pixels wide. Go back to the original file, or recreate a graphic at the recommended size. ### The shape was outside the range Instagram crops photos taller than 3:4 or wider than 1.91:1, LinkedIn crops photos wider than 3:1, and Pinterest may cut off Pins taller than 2:3. The network decides what's cut. Crop it yourself first and you decide. ### The design depends on the edges Banners and covers are shown at different shapes on different screens. Facebook's cover switches between 16:9 and 2.4:1, X can trim up to 60 pixels from the top and bottom of a header, and YouTube's banner only promises the safe area. Text placed near an edge will be trimmed somewhere. Keep it in the middle. ### The file was converted Instagram's and Threads' APIs convert images that aren't sRGB, which can flatten colors, and Facebook warns that PNGs over 1 MB may look pixelated. Export JPEG in sRGB for photos. Save PNG for logos and graphics with flat color or text, and keep those files small. **What went wrong with the upload?** - It looks soft or blocky → Re-export from the original at the recommended size - The top or bottom got cut off → Crop to the network's allowed shape before uploading - Text near the edge is missing → Move text into the middle or the banner safe area - Colors look flat → Export JPEG in sRGB so nothing is converted *Based on Instagram Help, Meta's Threads and Page Photos docs, LinkedIn Help, Pinterest's specs and YouTube Help.* ## What does PostMesh send to each network? If you schedule with PostMesh, you attach one photo and PostMesh checks it against each network you picked before anything is sent. These are the photo rules it checks for each network. | Network | Photos PostMesh accepts | Per post | | --- | --- | --- | | Instagram | JPEG, PNG, WebP or GIF up to 40 MB. Instagram gets a JPEG copy sized to fit 4:5 to 1.91:1. | One photo or one video | | Facebook Pages | JPEG, PNG or GIF up to 10 MB | Text only, one photo or one video | | Threads | JPEG or PNG up to 8 MB | Text only, one photo or one video | | X | JPEG, PNG, WebP or GIF. Photos up to 5 MB, GIFs up to 15 MB. | Text only, or text with one image | | LinkedIn | JPEG, PNG or GIF up to 20 MB | Text only, one image or one video | | Reddit | One JPEG, PNG or GIF up to 20 MB | Text, a link or one image | | TikTok | Up to 35 JPEG or WebP images, 20 MB each, as a TikTok-only photo post | A video or a photo post | | YouTube | A custom thumbnail: JPEG or PNG under 2 MB, on verified channels | One video | Because the Instagram copy is fitted to 4:5 to 1.91:1, crop a 3:4 photo to 4:5 yourself if you care exactly where the edges fall. Profile pictures, banners and covers are set in each network's own app; PostMesh doesn't change them. The network pages for [Instagram](/platform/instagram), [LinkedIn](/platform/linkedin), [X](/platform/twitter) and [YouTube](/platform/youtube) list every limit, and the [guide to cross-posting](/blog/how-to-cross-post-to-multiple-platforms) covers sending one post to several networks. The free [post checker](/tools/post-checker) tests a caption against all eight networks before you schedule anything. ## What to check before you upload A minute with this list saves most failed uploads and most re-crops, especially for posts you schedule to go out while you're not watching. **Before you upload an image** - [ ] Width is the recommended size, never below the minimum - [ ] Shape is inside the network's range (4:5 for most feeds) - [ ] Text and faces sit in the middle, clear of edges - [ ] Banner text is inside the safe area - [ ] File is JPEG in sRGB, or a small PNG for logos - [ ] File size is under the limit (5 MB covers X) - [ ] Every carousel slide matches the first slide *Limits from each network's help center and developer documentation, listed under Sources.* Sizes change, and networks rarely announce small ones. If an upload suddenly fails or crops in a new way, check the network's own help page first; the sources below are the pages this guide was built from. Once the image is right, the [best time to post on Instagram](/blog/best-time-to-post-on-instagram) and the [guide to scheduling Instagram posts](/blog/how-to-schedule-instagram-posts) cover when and how to send it. ## Questions ### Is there one image size that works on every network? Not one, but 1080 x 1350 at 4:5 comes close for feeds: Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn all keep it uncropped. Banners, covers and full-screen formats each need their own shape. ### What size is a 9:16 image in pixels? At 1,080 pixels wide it's 1080 x 1920. That's the shape for Instagram Stories and Reels, and YouTube recommends 2160 x 3840 for Shorts thumbnails. ### What size should a YouTube thumbnail be? YouTube recommends 3840 x 2160 at 16:9, at least 640 pixels wide, as JPG or PNG. Uploads are limited to 2 MB from the mobile app and 50 MB on a computer. ### What size is a LinkedIn background photo? 1584 x 396 pixels, as a JPG or PNG under 8 MB. A LinkedIn Page cover is different: 1512 x 256. ### Why does my Facebook cover look different on my phone? Facebook shows the cover at 16:9 on computers and 2.4:1 on phones, and the profile picture overlaps it by about 40 pixels on phones. Keep text and logos in the middle. ### Should I upload PNG or JPEG? JPEG for photos, since Instagram's API accepts nothing else. PNG suits logos and text graphics, but Facebook suggests keeping PNGs under 1 MB. ### What's the best Pinterest Pin size? 1000 x 1500 pixels, a 2:3 ratio. Pinterest says taller Pins might get cut off in feeds. ### Does uploading a bigger image make it sharper? Up to a point. Instagram's app reduces anything wider than 1,080 pixels, so going far beyond the recommended size adds nothing, but going below the minimum makes images soft. ### What size is an X header? X recommends 1500 x 500 pixels. Up to 60 pixels can be cropped from the top and bottom on some screens, so keep text in the middle. ### How big can a GIF be on X? Up to 15 MB, 1280 x 1080 pixels and 350 frames, with no more than 300 million pixels across all frames. ### Can PostMesh change my profile picture or banner? No. PostMesh publishes posts; profile pictures, banners and covers are set in each network's own app. ## Sources - [Instagram Help: Image resolution of photos you share on Instagram](https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/1631821640426723) - [Instagram Help: Reel size and aspect ratios on Instagram](https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/1038071743007909) - [Meta for Developers: IG User Media reference](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-platform/instagram-graph-api/reference/ig-user/media) - [Facebook Help: Facebook Page profile picture and cover photo dimensions](https://www.facebook.com/help/125379114252045) - [Meta for Developers: Page Photos reference](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/graph-api/reference/page/photos/) - [Meta for Developers: Threads API overview](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/threads/overview) - [Instagram Help: Share a post with multiple photos or videos](https://www.facebook.com/help/instagram/269314186824048) - [X Help: Help with uploading a profile photo](https://help.x.com/en/managing-your-account/common-issues-when-uploading-profile-photo) - [X Developer Platform: Media best practices](https://docs.x.com/x-api/media/quickstart/best-practices) - [LinkedIn Help: Share photos on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a527229) - [LinkedIn Help: Photo won't upload to your profile](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a549049) - [LinkedIn Help: Add or change the cover image on your profile](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a568217) - [LinkedIn Help: Image specifications for your LinkedIn Pages and Career Pages](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a563309) - [Microsoft Learn: LinkedIn Images API](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/linkedin/marketing/community-management/shares/images-api) - [YouTube Help: Add custom thumbnails on YouTube](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72431) - [YouTube Help: Manage your channel branding](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/10456525) - [YouTube Help: Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15424877) - [Pinterest Help: Pinterest product specs](https://help.pinterest.com/en/business/article/pinterest-product-specs) - [Reddit Help: Banner](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/15484339588884-Banner) - [Reddit Help: Community icon](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/15484265952660-Community-icon) - [Discord Support: Custom Profiles](https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403147417623-Custom-Profiles) - [Discord Support: Server Banners](https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028716472-Server-Banners) - [Slack Help: Upload a profile photo](https://slack.com/help/articles/115005506003-Upload-a-profile-photo) - [Telegram FAQ](https://telegram.org/faq)