Image Dimensions for Common Social Media Sites
Posted on July 14, 2014 | Updated on July 14, 2014
With a plethora of social media sites available, it’s difficult to memorize the optimum image sizes and recommendations for each site. To make your day a little easier, I’ve compiled the basic facts you need to know all in one handy location. Simply scroll to find the site you seek, or scroll down to grab the embeddable infographic!
The profile picture is a necessary and popular way for Facebook users of all types to establish their online persona. In order to get the most out of a profile photo, remember:
- 180×180 is the minimum pixel requirement.
- Regardless of the original size, the photo will appear on the user’s timeline as 160×160 pixels.
- The thumbnail that appears in everyone else’s timeline is even smaller: 32×32 pixels.
- Be sure to pick a photo that will display just as well at 32×32 as it will at 180×180.
Cover photos, by virtue of being larger and displayed at the top of a user’s timeline, can be more detailed and creative. Some users choose to really push themselves creatively and use the exact Facebook page dimensions to make their profile pictures appear like part of their cover photo. Bear in mind:
- 399×150 pixels is the minimum requirement for cover photos, but you’re best off uploading an image of at least 851×315 pixels.
- Images that are too small will be stretched to fit 851×315 pixels (which is how the image will display on the page).
- Facebook used to have a rule that cover photos could only be 20% or less text. This rule has been lifted. If you are going to upload an image that incorporates text, make sure to use the PNG format to keep it artifact-free.
On a text based site, photos provide a key way to stand out from the crowd.
- Bear in mind, the photo will appear in multiple locations on the site (your profile, in-stream, etc). The photo will be larger on your profile than elsewhere.
- The ideal image size is 400×400.
- Files can be either JPG, GIF or PNG, but they should not exceed 100 KB.
Header photos, like Facebook cover photos, take up the top of this social media page.
- The ideal pixel dimensions are 1500×500.
- Make sure the file size is under 10 MB.
Google+
Make sure to choose great photos for Google+, because it has a good chance of ranking highly for your name on Google.
- The minimum is 120×120 pixels, but 250×250 is recommended.
- Save photos with interesting corners for other sites; Google+ profile pictures appear as a circle.
Like Twitter and Facebook, Google+’s cover image is the place to let your creativity run free.
- Cover images are large, so choose an image that will tantalize, but not overwhelm.
- However, remember that smaller images may stretch or distort.
- Ideally, your image should be uploaded at 2120×1192 pixels.
The most professionally oriented of all the major social media sites, choosing the right profile photo for LinkedIn is a minefield of faux pas waiting to happen. Luckily, sizing is pretty cut and dry:
- Pick a square image; the recommended image size is 200×200 pixels.
- Employers want to see one face only in a profile picture: the job seeker they’re checking out on LinkedIn. Not their dog, cat, BFF, or graduating class.
A profile picture on an image-based site? That calls for a show-stopper! Pick an image that can hold its own against a user’s varied and numerous uploads. The picture will appear as 110×110 pixels for most users (that’s how it appears on mobile) but since some users might access your profile from the web, you’re best off uploading an image that is at least 180×180.
If your Pinterest account links to your Facebook or Twitter accounts, one profile picture could multi-task for multiple sites. If you choose to upload a new photo, remember:
- 10 MB is the maximum upload size.
- The picture will display on your profile page at 165×165.
- Elsewhere on Pinterest the square image will display at 32×32.
YouTube
The freeze-frame images of your videos may draw a majority of the attention, but profile pictures and cover photos are still crucial, creative aspects. Check out Mashable’s advice for how utilize each component to its fullest.
- Try to keep profile pictures—you guessed it—square in shape, 800×800 pixels.
- A channel cover photo can be large and in charge: 2560×1440.
- Beware of distortion: make sure cover images are large, crisp, clear, and vibrant.
Tumblr
The minimum requirement for Tumblr profile photos is 128×128. The images can be uploaded as PNG, JPG, GIF or BMP. Other than that, it largely depends upon the user’s chosen theme, so make sure after uploading that your image fits your theme.
Due to the ever-changing nature of the internet, these measurements could be rendered obsolete pretty soon, but right now they are correct and it’s a great time to make sure all your social profiles are properly optimized!
Want to share these image dimensions on your own blog? Grab our infographic – just use the embed code below!
Credits: featured image | social media icons
About The Author
Eleanor Hecks is the Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine, an online publication dedicated to providing in-depth content from the design and marketing industries. When she's not designing or writing code, you can find her re-reading the Harry Potter series, burning calories at a local Zumba class, or hanging out with her dogs, Bear and Lucy.
