Social Media Image Sizes 2026: Complete Cheat Sheet for Every Platform
Never crop your images wrong again. This 2026 cheat sheet covers every major platform image size, from Instagram Stories to LinkedIn banners.
Getting image dimensions wrong is one of the fastest ways to look unprofessional on social media. A stretched banner, a cropped face, or a story that gets letterboxed all signal carelessness. In 2026, the landscape is more fragmented than ever, with each platform pushing slightly different aspect ratios.
Why Image Dimensions Matter More Than Ever
Social media algorithms increasingly favour content that loads fast and fills the screen exactly. If your image is the wrong size, the platform either stretches it (blurry) or crops it (missing context). Both outcomes reduce engagement. Meta reported that correctly sized images see up to 38% higher click-through rates.
Platform-by-Platform Cheat Sheet
| Image Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Max File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square post | 1080 x 1080 | 1:1 | 30 MB |
| Portrait post | 1080 x 1350 | 4:5 | 30 MB |
| Landscape post | 1080 x 566 | 1.91:1 | 30 MB |
| Story / Reels | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | 30 MB |
| Profile picture | 320 x 320 | 1:1 | 10 MB |
TikTok
| Image Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video posts | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Vertical only |
| Profile picture | 200 x 200 | 1:1 | Circular crop |
| Carousel images | 1080 x 1920 | 9:16 | Swipeable |
YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook
YouTube: Thumbnail 1280 x 720 (16:9), Channel banner 2048 x 1152 LinkedIn: Personal banner 1584 x 396, Shared image 1200 x 627 Facebook: Feed post 1200 x 630 (1.91:1), Cover photo 851 x 315
Best Practices for 2026
- Always start with the largest size needed and scale down
- Use PNG for screenshots and text-heavy images; JPEG for photographs
- Convert to WebP when platforms support it — 25-35% smaller files
- Remove cluttered backgrounds before designing social graphics using QuickBG's background remover
- Compress images without visible quality loss using our image adjustment tools
Comparison: JPEG vs WebP for Social Media
| Factor | JPEG | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| File size (typical) | 350 KB | 220 KB |
| Quality at 80% | Good | Excellent |
| Transparency support | No | Yes |
| Browser support | Universal | 97% of global browsers |
Quick Checklist Before Posting
- Is the image at the exact pixel dimension for the platform?
- Is the file size under the platform limit?
- Did you remove the background from any cutout subjects?
- Is the text legible on mobile (at least 30px font size)?
- Did you export at 72 DPI?
For a full breakdown of every social platform's specifications, visit our tools page or check the FAQ. If you need to bulk-process images, compare our plans.
