Social Media Image Sizes: A Cheat Sheet for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn
On this page
Short answer: use the table below as a starting point. For each platform, match the aspect ratio first and the pixel size second. Imgovo’s Social Media Image Resizer has presets for these sizes and runs in your browser.
How this table was checked
Platform sizes are the least stable information on the web, so here is what was and was not verified, as of 13 October 2026.
- Checked against the platform’s own help pages: the YouTube thumbnail and the Facebook cover photo (see the notes under the table).
- Not checked against an official source: the other sizes. They are the commonly recommended sizes that Imgovo’s presets use. Treat them as practical defaults, not guarantees.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. If a platform changes its layout, its own help page wins.
Sizes used by Imgovo presets
| Platform | Type | Size (px) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square post | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 | |
| Portrait post | 1080 × 1350 | 4:5 | |
| Story / Reel | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 | |
| Feed post | 1200 × 630 | about 1.91:1 | |
| Cover photo | 851 × 315 | about 2.70:1 | |
| Profile picture | 720 × 720 | 1:1 | |
| YouTube | Thumbnail | 3840 × 2160 | 16:9 |
| YouTube | Channel art | 2560 × 1440 | 16:9 |
| YouTube | Profile picture | 800 × 800 | 1:1 |
| TikTok | Video cover | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| Feed post | 1200 × 627 | about 1.91:1 | |
| Cover photo | 1584 × 396 | 4:1 | |
| Profile picture | 400 × 400 | 1:1 |
What the platforms say
YouTube thumbnails. YouTube’s help page recommends a thumbnail resolution of 3840 × 2160 px at a 16:9 ratio, with a minimum width of 640 px, in JPG or PNG. It also lists file size limits that differ between desktop and mobile. A 1280 × 720 thumbnail has the same 16:9 shape and is a smaller, widely used size, but it is below the current recommendation. Imgovo offers both: the 3840 × 2160 preset is the one YouTube states.
Facebook cover photo. Facebook’s help page recommends 851 × 315 px, with a minimum of 399 × 150 px. Smaller images are stretched to fill the space. For fast loading it suggests an sRGB JPG under 100 KB, and PNG for logos or text. This is the same size as the Facebook cover preset in the table above.
Instagram. Instagram has changed how it shows feed photos and profile grids over time, so confirm the supported ratios in the app or in the help centre before you plan a series. The 4:5 portrait and 9:16 story shapes are in wide use.
LinkedIn and TikTok. Not verified against an official source for this guide.
Think in ratios, not only pixels
A pixel size only makes sense next to the shape it describes. Two things matter most:
- Shape (aspect ratio). If the shape matches, the platform scales your image without cropping.
- Resolution. Enough pixels keep the image sharp on large and high-density screens.
| Ratio | Looks like | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | Square | Profile pictures, square posts |
| 4:5 | Slightly tall | Portrait feed posts |
| 9:16 | Tall phone screen | Stories, Reels, TikTok |
| 16:9 | Widescreen | YouTube thumbnails and channel art |
| About 1.91:1 | Wide banner | Link and feed images on Facebook and LinkedIn |
Profile pictures are often shown as a circle, so keep the face or logo away from the corners.
How to use the presets
- Open the Social Media Image Resizer and add your photo.
- Pick the platform and the type of image.
- Choose JPG for photos or PNG for graphics. WebP is also available.
- Download the result.
The tool crops from the centre so that nothing is stretched. If the part you need is not in the centre, crop first with Crop Image using the same ratio. If you need the whole photo with no cropping, use Instagram No Crop, which fits the picture into a frame with a background, or set the fit to “Fit whole image” in the Image Resizer.
For the resizing basics, read How to resize an image without losing quality. For the full Instagram walkthrough, read How to post a full photo on Instagram without cropping.
Tips for fewer surprises
- Keep key content in the middle. Platforms and apps overlay buttons, titles and captions on the edges.
- Keep text large. A thumbnail is often seen at a small size.
- Work from the original. Resize from the largest copy you have, not from an already-shrunk one.
- Mind the file size. Some platforms recompress heavily, and some have file size limits. Compress Image can bring a file down if needed.
Do it now
Open the Social Media Image Resizer, choose a preset and download a copy at the right size.
Frequently asked questions
Why do platform sizes keep changing?
Platforms redesign their layouts and screens over time, and the sizes they recommend change with them. Always treat a size table as a starting point and check the platform's own guidance if the result matters.
What happens if my image is a different size?
The platform will usually scale it down or crop it to fit. If the shape is wrong, important parts such as faces or text can be cut off.
Should I upload a bigger image than the recommended size?
A larger image of the correct shape is usually fine, since the platform scales it down. A smaller one gets enlarged and looks soft. Keep the shape right first.
Which format should I upload?
JPG for photos and PNG for graphics with text or sharp edges are the usual choices. Some platforms also accept other formats, so check the upload requirements.
Does the Imgovo resizer crop my photo?
Yes. It crops from the centre to match the target shape and then scales to the exact size. To keep the whole photo, use Instagram No Crop or the Image Resizer with the 'Fit whole image' option.