Ultimate Guide to Social Media Image Sizes 2025

Brief Overview: What is the best size for a social media post? This question usually arises when marketers, publishers, or bloggers create ad creatives. This guide is all about image sizes in 2025, and covers the best practices for each platform: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, Telegram, including profile pictures, posts, stories, ads and more.

Many affiliate marketers spend hours crafting perfect ad creatives for their campaigns. Visuals play a huge role in offers promotion, as they have to grab users at first sight. But before you start creating an image, you need to know the exact social media image sizes to use.

In 2025, every social media platform has its own rules, and it’s not just about pixels and social media aspect ratios. Knowing the correct pictures sizes for social media is key to increasing engagement and making sure your message lands as intended. Because in today’s fast scrolling and visually driven digital world you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

Whether you’re an affiliate marketer looking to increase clicks, a publisher managing multiple platforms, an influencer building trust or a digital marketer juggling ad creatives, this guide will help you understand the ideal image sizes for each social platform.

Why Social Media Image Sizes Matter

If your images are the wrong size, a few things can happen:

• They are strangely cropped, cutting out key visual elements or text;
• They look uneven or blurry, which makes your brand look unpretentious;
• They take longer to load, so users view them before they see them.

As a marketer who wants to reach the target audience and earn money, image quality reflects your professionalism. A crisp, well-framed image tells your audience you know what you’re doing.

And if you are looking for a profound guide on landing and pre-landing pages, check this article “Best Landing Pages and Pre-Landings for Affiliate Marketing Verticals”.

Best Practices for Social Media Images

Before we get into the exact social media post size in pixels, let’s talk about strategy. If you want your visuals to perform well, keep these best practices in mind:

1. Clarity, Not Complexity

Social media isn’t a book. People rarely look at every picture, every banner. Moreover, they rarely read texts. Therefore, when creating a creative, your image should be catchy. But it can be simple, clear, with bold focal points, as such images perform even better than cluttered designs.

2. Design with Cropping in Mind

Even if you upload the “right” size picture, different platforms (or devices) can still crop images in previews or thumbnails. Keep key text and visuals centered and away from the edges.

3. Understand Aspect Ratios

An aspect ratio is the relationship between width and height. Some platforms prefer square (1:1), others vertical (4:5 or 9:16) and a few lean horizontal (16:9).

Wondering should I use 4:3 or 16:9 for social media? Usually 16:9 is best for videos and landscape photos, 4:3 is less common but still used in some cases.

4. Use High-Quality Images

Download high-resolution files, but compress them to reduce the download time. Tools such as TinyPNG, Squoosh, or built-in functions in Canva and Photoshop allow you to reduce file size without losing clarity.

6. Adapt to Mobile Devices

Over 80% of social media is consumed on mobile devices: phones or tablets. If your image looks good on desktop but is unreadable on phone, you’ve made a mistake.

7. Test and Optimize

What works for one audience or campaign might not work for another. Provide A/B test images (especially in paid ads) to see which sizes, formats, or visuals drive better results.

What are the Correct Image Sizes for Social Media?

Let’s answer the big question: What size should social media images be? Below is a quick overview of the dimensions for social media ads, posts, banners, and posters on major platforms.

Facebook Image Sizes

Facebook is an old, but gold platform driven by Meta. Note that it constantly changes its layout and image formats, so the safest move is following the updates and uploading high-quality visuals.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know in 2025:

Profile Picture:

• Best size to upload: 320 x 320 px
• Minimum size: 180 x 180 px

Tip: Although it displays as a circle, you can upload a square image. Keep important details like faces or logos centered.

Cover Photo (Page or Personal Profile):

• Recommended size: 851 x 315 px
• How it displays: desktop – 820 x 312 px, mobile – 640 x 360 px

Timeline Images & Posts:

• Recommended size: 1200 x 630 px
• Aspect ratio: 1.91:1

Tip: This is the go-to size for shared links and general image posts. For carousel posts, go square with 1200 x 1200 px (1:1 ratio) for consistent slides.

Event Cover Photos:

• Recommended size: 1920 x 1005 px
• Minimum allowed: 400 x 150 px

Facebook Stories:

• Ideal size: 1080 x 1920 px
• Aspect ratio: 9:16

Tip: Don’t leave text or logos on the top and bottom 14% of the screen (approximately 250 pixels) — these areas are often obscured by the Facebook user interface.

Facebook Ads (via Ads Manager):

• Feed Ads: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1) or 1200 x 628 px (1.91:1)
• Right Column Ads: 1080 x 1080 px (desktop-only)
• Stories Ads: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Marketplace & Instant Articles: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1)

Ads need to look sharp across different placements, so high-res square or vertical formats are your safest bet. And while Facebook no longer strictly enforces text limits on ad images, less is still more.

Instagram Image Sizes

Instagram is a part of Meta, too. So, some requirements to the pictures are similar to Facebook. The difference is that Instagram is about visuals. If your image doesn’t grab someone’s attention in 1 second, it’s getting scrolled past. But even a great photo or design can fail if it’s not sized right. Cropped faces, blurry stories, awkward thumbnails lead to failure.

Let’s discover the best size for reels, stories, and posts.

Profile Picture:

• Recommended size: 320 x 320 px

Tip: It displays as a circle, so keep your logo, face, or branding element centered.

Feed Posts:

Instagram has 3 main post shapes:

• Square: 1080 x 1080 px
• Portrait (Vertical): 1080 x 1350 px
• Landscape (Horizontal): 1080 x 566 px

Tip: Vertical (4:5) images take up the most space in the feed and tend to get more attention.

Carousel Posts:

Use the same dimensions as feed posts (square, vertical, or horizontal), but keep them consistent across all slides.

Instagram Stories:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 px
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 px

Tip: Leave space at the top and bottom (~250px) to avoid interface elements covering your text or CTAs. Instagram overlays your username, reply box and buttons, so don’t let them cover your message.

Instagram Reels:

It’s a video content that is also used by marketers as a source for ads.

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920
• Aspect ratio: 9:16

Tip: Reels display full-screen but preview in the feed cropped to 4:5. Keep key visuals, captions, and text centered so they’re visible in both formats.

Instagram Ads:

• Feed Ads: 1080 x 1080 px or 1080 x 1350 px
• Story Ads & Reels Ads: 1080 x 1920 px
• Explore Ads: 1080 x 1080 px

Tip: Make sure ad visuals are high-res, low on text and mobile-first. Instagram’s users are mostly on phones, and blurry or poorly cropped ads will cost you.

X/Twitter Image Sizes

Despite all the rebranding and changes, X (formerly Twitter) is still a popular service for real-time communication, sharing ideas, and creating viral content. You can also add pictures and post ads on blogs there.

Let’s look at the X image sizes that you need to know in 2025.

Profile Picture:

• Recommended size: 400 x 400 px

Header (Cover) Image:

• Recommended size: 1500 x 500 px
• Safe zone: Keep key visuals in the center
• File size limit: 5MB

Tip: Whether you’re promoting a product, campaign or just reinforcing brand identity, make the header bold and aligned with your profile’s tone. On smaller screens, the sides may get cropped, so don’t stick text or logos too close to the edges.

Post Images (Single Image Tweets):

• Recommended size: 1200 x 628 px
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• File size: up to 5MB for images (15MB for GIFs)

This is the most common image format on X. A properly sized image takes up more space in the timeline which means more visibility—and more engagement. Horizontal images look best but X also supports vertical and square photos (though they may be cropped in the preview).

Carousel Post:

• Recommended size: 1200 x 1200 px

Video Posts:

• Thumbnail image size: 1280 x 720 px

X/Twitter Ads:

• Single Image Ads: 1200 x 628 px
• Video Ads: 1280 x 720 px (16:9)
• Carousel Ads: 1200 x 1200 px
• File formats: JPG, PNG, GIF or MP4/MOV for videos

LinkedIn Image Sizes

LinkedIn is a full-fledged content platform where personal brands and businesses grow through thoughtful leadership, storytelling, and visual strategy. Here’s what you need to know to keep your LinkedIn presence sharp in 2025.

Profile Picture:

• Personal image recommended size: 400 x 400 px
• Company logo recommended size: 300 x 300 px

Personal Cover Photo (Background Banner):

• Recommended size: 1584 x 396 px

Company Cover Photo (Business Page Header):

• Recommended size: 1128 x 191 px

Shared Image or Link Post (Feed Post):

• Recommended size: 1200 x 627 px
• Aspect ratio: 1.91:1

Carousel Posts (PDF-based):

• Recommended size per slide: 1080 x 1080 px

Video:

• Recommended size: 1280 x 720 px or 1920 x 1080 px

Tip: If you’re uploading native video, create a custom thumbnail for a stronger first impression. LinkedIn generates one for you, but you should design your own.

LinkedIn Ads:

• Sponsored Content (Image Ad): 1200 x 627 px
• Video Ad: 1080 x 1080 or 1920 x 1080 px
• Carousel Ad: 1080 x 1080 px
• Message Ads Banner (InMail): 300 x 250 px

Pinterest Image Sizes

Pinterest is known as a social network for inspiration and getting ideas. But nowadays, it is a visual search engine with serious marketing power. Unlike other platforms, Pinterest prefers vertical visuals and pin dimensions can impact search, recommendations and saves.

Standard Pin:

• Recommended size: 1000 x 1500 px
• Aspect ratio: 2:3

Story Pin (Infographics or Guides):

• Suggested size: Up to 1080 x 1920 px

Tip: Use this format for tutorials, step-by-step content or educational graphics.

Pinterest Profile Picture:

• Recommended size: 165 x 165 px

Cover Image:

• Recommended size: 800 x 450 px (minimum)

Note: Custom board covers aren’t required but can give your profile a polished, on-brand look.

Pinterest Ads:

• Standard Pin Ads: 1000 x 1500 px
• Video Pin Ads: 1080 x 1920 px (vertical) or 1500 x 1000 px (horizontal)

Snapchat Image Size

Snapchat is still a powerful tool for communicating with Generation Z and young millennials, especially in real time. Snapchat is mobile and vertical only, so every pixel matters. Here’s what you need to know.

Snapchat Profile Image:

• Recommended size: 320 x 320 px

Snapchat Stories & Snaps:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 px
• Aspect ratio: 9:16

Stories are the heart of Snapchat. When designing, keep your most important elements (like text or logos) in the middle of the screen and don’t put anything too close to the top or bottom.

Snapchat Geofilter Image Size:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 2340 px

YouTube Image Size

YouTube is an online video sharing platform. From your channel’s first impression to how your content appears in search, recommendations, and subscriptions, image quality and sizing play a big role in performance.

YouTube Channel Art (Banner):

• Recommended size: 2048 x 1152 px
• Minimum safe area (visible on all devices): 1546 x 423 px

Note: Your banner is the first visual visitors see on your channel homepage, and it looks different depending on the screen. TVs show the full image, desktops crop the sides, and mobile shows a narrow strip in the center. To play it safe, keep important text and logos inside the center “safe zone.”

YouTube Profile Picture:

• Recommended size: 800 x 800 px

YouTube Video Thumbnail:

• Recommended size: 1920 x 1080 px
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Max file size: 2MB
• Formats: JPG, PNG or GIF

YouTube Shorts Thumbnail:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 px (vertical, 9:16 aspect ratio)

Note: If you’re posting vertical video as Shorts, a custom thumbnail may not always be shown on mobile — but it does appear on desktop and in playlists. That’s your chance to look polished.

TikTok Image Sizes

TikTok is all about motion, trends and vertical video. But don’t underestimate the power of well-designed static visuals. If your content isn’t sized right, it gets cropped, covered with overlays or simply ignored. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your visuals crisp and compelling in 2025.

TikTok Profile Picture:

• Recommended size: 200 x 200 px
• Format: JPG or PNG

TikTok Video Thumbnail (Cover Photo):

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 px
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)

Note: TikTok lets you choose a frame from your video or upload a custom cover if editing outside the app.

Tip: Keep any titles or important visuals away from the bottom 20% of the screen.

TikTok In-Feed Ads:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 px
• Aspect ratio: 9:16

Tip: These ads appear in the “For You” feed so they should feel native to TikTok’s style: quick, engaging and authentic. Add captions and branding but make sure they’re not blocked by buttons or overlays.

TikTok Image Ads (for Spark Ads or Static Placements):

While TikTok is mostly video based, some ad formats support static images or use images as background assets.

• Safe size for static image use: 1200 x 628 px (landscape) or 1080 x 1920 px (vertical)

Threads Image Sizes

Threads has become more than just a Twitter alternative. With its clean interface and tight Instagram integration, Threads has become the go-to platform for real-time dialogue, microblogging, and brand storytelling.

Here’s what you need to know about image sizes on Threads in 2025:

Image Posts:

• Recommended size: 1080 x 1350 px
• Aspect ratio: 4:5
• Formats: JPG, PNG
• Max images per post: 10 (carousel style, just like Instagram)

Profile Picture:

• Recommended size: 320 x 320 px
• Displays as a circle, pulled from your linked Instagram account

Image Replies & Quote Posts:

When replying with an image or quoting a post with a photo, Threads displays the image at a reduced size in the feed preview, but tapping expands it fully. Use the same 4:5 (1080 x 1350 px) format for best consistency across views.

Telegram Image Sizes

Telegram is a messaging app as well as a community for channels, brands, and content to share with engaged audiences. Telegram’s interface is clean and adapts to devices, but favors clear proportioned images that don’t get awkwardly cropped or pixelated. 

Here’s what to keep in mind for 2025.

Profile Picture:

• Recommended size: 165 x 165 px
• Supported formats: JPG, PNG

Channel or Group Cover Photo:

• Recommended size: 300 x 300 px (minimum), 512 x 512 px or larger for better clarity

Images in Posts & Messages:

• Recommended max width: 1280 px

Note: Posts vary from square (1080 x 1080 px) to vertical (1080 x 1350) and landscape (1080 x 566).

Video Thumbnails:

• Recommended size: 1280 x 720 px (16:9 aspect ratio)