It happens often: you upload an image to Facebook, Instagram, or another platform, only to find it stretched, cropped, or blurry. Usually that is because the image was the wrong size for where it appeared. Each platform handles images a little differently, so it pays to know the recommended dimensions before you post. A couple of terms help here. Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between an image's width and height, while pixels measure its resolution. A few rules hold across nearly every platform in 2026: 1080 pixels wide is the universal baseline, vertical formats (4:5 and 9:16) now outperform square images on most feeds, and you should always design with a centered safe zone so nothing important gets cropped. Read on for the recommended sizes for each major platform.
Facebook image dimensions
Start with your Profile Image, which displays as a circle. Upload it at least 320 x 320 pixels (a larger square keeps it crisp); it shows at roughly 196 x 196 pixels on desktop and 128 x 128 pixels on mobile. Since the photo is cropped to a circle, keep your subject centered.
Your Facebook Cover Image spans the top of your Page. Upload it at 851 x 315 pixels; it renders at about 820 x 312 pixels on desktop and crops to roughly 640 x 360 pixels on mobile. Because your profile photo overlaps the lower-left corner and the mobile crop is tighter, keep key elements in the center. For a Shared Image or link preview, 1200 x 630 pixels is the standard. One important change to note: since June 2025, Facebook merged all video formats into Reels, so any video you upload now becomes a Reel at 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16).
Recommended Facebook image sizes
- Profile photo: 320 x 320 px (displays as a circle)
- Cover image: 851 x 315 px
- Feed post & link preview image: 1200 x 630 px
- Reel (video): 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
Instagram image dimensions
Instagram now prioritizes portrait content. As of 2026, Meta officially favors 4:5 portrait feed posts (1080 x 1350 pixels) over the old 1:1 square because portraits take up more screen space and tend to earn more reach. Squares (1080 x 1080) still display fine, and landscape posts run 1080 x 566 pixels. Your Profile Image should be uploaded at about 320 x 320 pixels (it displays at 110 x 110 pixels as a circle). Stories and Reels use the full-screen vertical format of 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16). For Reel covers, design at 1080 x 1920 so Instagram can crop appropriately, but keep your key visuals centered, since the profile grid now shows thumbnails at a 3:4 ratio.
Recommended Instagram image sizes
- Profile photo: 320 x 320 px (displays as a circle)
- Portrait feed post (recommended): 1080 x 1350 px (4:5)
- Square feed post: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1)
- Landscape feed post: 1080 x 566 px (1.91:1)
- Stories & Reels: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
X (formerly Twitter) image dimensions
X is still a fast-moving text platform, but images do a lot of the work in stopping the scroll. Upload your Profile Image at 400 x 400 pixels; it displays as a circle. Your Header Image, similar to a Facebook cover, spans the top of your profile and looks best at 1500 x 500 pixels, though mobile crops heavily to roughly the center third, so plan around that. For in-feed posts, a 16:9 aspect ratio works well, with an ideal size of 1200 x 675 pixels. You can attach up to four images per post, and X arranges them automatically depending on how many you include.
Recommended X image sizes
- Profile photo: 400 x 400 px (displays as a circle)
- Header image: 1500 x 500 px
- Feed post image: 1200 x 675 px (16:9)
Pinterest image dimensions
Pinterest is a vertical, visual-first platform, so taller pins generally perform best. Upload your Profile Image at 600 x 600 pixels (it scales down to about 180 x 180 pixels). Board cover photos are square, so 600 x 600 pixels works well there too. The standard pin uses a 2:3 aspect ratio, ideally 1000 x 1500 pixels; anything taller risks being cropped. For video pins, use a square 1:1 ratio (1080 x 1080) or a vertical 9:16 ratio (1080 x 1920).
Recommended Pinterest image sizes
- Profile photo: 600 x 600 px
- Board cover image: 600 x 600 px
- Pinned image: 1000 x 1500 px (2:3)
- Pinned video: 1080 x 1080 px or 1080 x 1920 px
