The definition of social media that many people may not be aware of is that it’s a group of internet-based applications that build upon the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, and in its simplest form allows users to create and share content or to participate in social networking online. SNS (Social Networking Sites) such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow the public to engage with each other on various topics: from business and politics to music, entertainment and sports says Peter DeCaprio. The use of these sites has become so popular over the years since their introduction in 2004/2006. By 2007 nearly one-third of all web traffic was generated by social networking websites [1]. In 2013, 51% percent of U.S adults used some type of social media and those aged 18-29 years old were the heaviest users with a social media penetration rate of 88% percent.
While there are many different types of social media platforms, this guide will mainly focus on the three most popular: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Each platform has its own unique set of image dimensions and requirements that should be taken into consideration when creating or sharing images.
Facebook:
The recommended image size for Facebook is 1200×628 pixels. However, it’s important to note that if an image is smaller than 470×246 pixels, it will be stretched to fill the space. This can often lead to a distorted or pixelated image.
It’s also important to keep in mind that when uploading a photo to Facebook, the image will be cropped to a square. So if you want to showcase a rectangular image, it’s best to create a custom cropped image that is 1200×628 pixels.
Twitter:
The recommended image size for Twitter is 1500×500 pixels. However, tweets with images have been shown to get more engagement than those without. So it’s important to consider using images as part of your Twitter strategy.
Instagram:
The recommended image size for Instagram is 1080×1080 pixels. However, if you want to include text on your image, the recommended size is 600×600 pixels. This will ensure that all of the text is visible without being cut off.
Who should use this guide?
Marketers, content managers, publishers, social media specialists, bloggers, influencers are all people who can benefit from this image size guide says Peter DeCaprio.
Social Media Image Dimensions:
Device Pixels Aspect Ratio Resolution (px) Desktop 1366 x 768 16:9
1Dppx Desktop 1920 x 1080 16:9
2Dppx Desktop 2560 x 1440 16:9
3Dppx Mobile 360/640 4:3
1Dppx Mobile 432/768 4:3
2Dppx Mobile 960/1280 16:9
2Dppx Tablet 768/1024 16:10 3Dppx
When it comes to social media, one of the most important things you need to focus on is the images you post says Peter DeCaprio. Not only do they help to break up the text and make your posts more visually appealing, but they also play a key role in how your content is shared and interacted with. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best image sizes and dimensions for each of the major social media platforms, so you can create content that looks great and gets results.
Facebook:
Profile picture: 180 x 180 pixels
Cover photo: 851 x 315 pixels
Shared image: 1200 x 630 pixels
Link preview image: 1200 x 627 pixels
Event cover photo: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Twitter:
Profile picture: 400 x 400 pixels
Header photo: 1500 x 500 pixels
Shared image: 1024 x 512 pixels
Instagram:
Profile picture: 110 x 110 pixels
Square photo: 1080 x 1080 pixels
Landscape photo: 1080 x 566 pixels
Portrait photo: 1080 x 1350 pixels
LinkedIn:
Profile picture: 180 x 180 pixels
Banner image: 646 x 220 pixels
Google+:
Profile picture: 250 x 250 pixels
Tumblr:
Profile picture: 128 x 128 pixels
Image post size: 1280 x 1920 pixels
Pinterest:
Profile picture: 165 x 165 pixels
Board display name and pinboard cover photos (minimum): 600 x 150 pixels
Pins: Width: 236 pixels minimum, 736 pixels maximum
Pinterest has recently made some changes to its image dimensions, so make sure to double-check the latest specs before you start creating pins.
Conclusion:
As you can see, the image dimensions and sizes for social media platforms vary greatly. So it’s important to tailor your images to each specific platform in order to get the best results explains Peter DeCaprio. Utilize this guide to create visuals that are not only high-quality but also engaging and effective.
Looking for more information on social media image sizes? Be sure to check out our latest blog post on the subject: “The Ultimate Guide to Social Media Image Sizes.”
And don’t forget to download our free social media cheat sheet, which includes all of the image dimensions and sizes listed in this guide!
When you can see, the best image sizes and dimensions for each social media platform vary greatly. So be sure to take into account the specific features and requirements of each network when designing your content. And most importantly, always test out different images and variations to see what works best for your audience.