Each social media platform displays images differently. A photo that looks great on Instagram can be cropped on LinkedIn. This overview gives you the right sizes for every platform.
Overview: sizes per platform
| Platform | Type | Ratio | Recommended size |
|---|
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | 1:1 | 1080×1080 px | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | 4:5 | 1080×1350 px | |
| Landscape | 1.91:1 | 1080×566 px | |
| Instagram Reels | Portrait | 9:16 | 1080×1920 px |
| Timeline | 1.91:1 | 1200×630 px | |
| Cover | 16:9 | 851×315 px | |
| X / Twitter | Timeline | 16:9 | 1200×675 px |
| Post | 1.91:1 | 1200×628 px | |
| Cover | 4:1 | 1584×396 px | |
| YouTube | Thumbnail | 16:9 | 1280×720 px |
| TikTok | Video | 9:16 | 1080×1920 px |
Crop for social media
1. Go to the social media crop tool.
2. Drag your image here.
3. Choose the platform and type (e.g. Instagram portrait).
4. Move the frame so the most important part of the photo is inside.
5. Download the cropped image.
Instagram: which format works best?
In the feed, images are displayed up to 1080px wide. For maximum screen fill on mobile, choose portrait format (4:5). Square (1:1) is the safest choice if you are not sure how the photo looks in a grid.
What if my photo has the wrong ratio?
You have two options:
1. Crop: remove the outer parts of the photo.
2. Fill with border: use the square without cropping tool to fill the photo with a blurred background or coloured border.
Frequently asked questions
Does Instagram compress my photo?
Yes, heavily. Instagram converts to JPG at low quality. Always upload a sharp, uncompressed version — Instagram does the compression itself.
Do I always need to upload exactly the specified size?
No. Platforms also accept larger images and adapt them automatically. The ratio is more important than the exact pixel count.
What is the difference between a post and a Story?
Posts stay permanently on your profile; Stories disappear after 24 hours. Stories are always 9:16 (portrait format, full screen).