Since the beginning of time, it’s been common knowledge that size matters. In the world of design, that concept is no different and is almost a golden rule when creating anything. No, seriously—it can make or break your brand’s presence on social media. We’re diving deep into the world of social media image sizes for 2024, breaking down the what, why, and how for each platform, including ad sizes. So, grab your favorite design tool, and let’s get to work!

Why the Right Image Size Matters

First things first—let’s talk about why image sizes are such a big deal. We all know that a pixelated, stretched, or poorly cropped image can ruin even the most beautifully designed post. Using the correct image sizes ensures that your visuals are crisp, clear, and professional, no matter where they’re viewed. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about maintaining brand consistency and, let’s be real, keeping those engagement rates up!

General Guidelines for All Platforms

Before we dive into the specifics for each platform, here are a few general rules of thumb:

• Resolution is King: Always opt for high-resolution images to avoid any pixelation or blurriness.
• Aspect Ratios Matter: Different platforms have different preferred aspect ratios. Stick to them to avoid weird cropping or white bars.
• Keep It Consistent: Your brand’s look should be consistent across all platforms. This means using the same profile picture, colors, and style, while adjusting sizes as needed.

Platform-Specific Image Sizes

Now, let’s break it down platform by platform:

Facebook

• Profile Picture: 180 x 180 pixels. Keep it simple and recognizable even at a tiny size.
• Cover Photo: 820 x 312 pixels on desktop, 640 x 360 pixels on mobile. Design with both in mind so nothing crucial gets cut off.
• Shared Images and Links: 1200 x 630 pixels. This size works best for both shared images and link previews.
• Ad Sizes:
  • Image Ad: 1200 x 628 pixels. This is the go-to size for most Facebook ads.
  • Carousel Ad: 1080 x 1080 pixels per image. Ideal for showcasing multiple products or features.
  • Stories Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels. Vertical is key for a seamless mobile experience.

Instagram

• Profile Picture: 320 x 320 pixels. It’s small, so make sure your logo or headshot is clear and stands out.
• Post Sizes:
  • Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (classic and reliable).
  • Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (gives you a bit more screen space).
  • Landscape: 1080 x 566 pixels (great for those wide shots).
• Stories and Highlights: 1080 x 1920 pixels. Don’t forget to keep essential elements within the safe zone—nothing worse than important text getting cut off!
• Ad Sizes:
  • Feed Ad: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square) or 1080 x 1350 pixels (vertical).
  • Stories Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels. Vertical format for a full-screen experience.
  • Carousel Ad: 1080 x 1080 pixels per image. A great way to tell a story or feature multiple products.

Twitter

• Profile Picture: 400 x 400 pixels. Keep it clean and on-brand.
• Header Image: 1500 x 500 pixels. Make sure it’s responsive and looks good on both desktop and mobile.
• In-stream Photos: 1600 x 900 pixels. Twitter crops images in-stream, so always check your design in the preview before posting.
• Ad Sizes:
  • Single Image Ad: 1200 x 675 pixels. This size works well for most Twitter ads.
  • Multi-image Ad: 600 x 335 pixels per image. Useful for sharing a series of related images.
  • Video Ad: 1200 x 1200 pixels (square) or 1920 x 1080 pixels (landscape). Video is king on Twitter—make sure your dimensions are on point.

LinkedIn

• Profile Picture: 400 x 400 pixels. Professional headshots work best here.
• Background Photo: 1584 x 396 pixels. This is a great spot to showcase what you do, so make it count.
• Shared Images and Links: 1200 x 627 pixels. Keep it consistent with your other social platforms.
• Ad Sizes:
  • Sponsored Content: 1200 x 627 pixels. This size is ideal for image-based ads.
  • Text Ads: 100 x 100 pixels. Small but effective—ensure your logo is clear.
  • Sponsored InMail Banner: 300 x 250 pixels. Perfect for targeted messaging.

YouTube

• Profile Picture: 800 x 800 pixels. It’s larger than most, so make sure it looks good even when resized.
• Channel Art: 2560 x 1440 pixels. Responsive design is key here—keep important elements within the center “safe area” (1546 x 423 pixels).
• Video Thumbnails: 1280 x 720 pixels. Custom thumbnails can make or break your video’s click-through rate, so don’t skip this!
• Ad Sizes:
  • Display Ad: 300 x 250 pixels. Appears to the right of the feature video and above the video suggestions list.
  • Overlay Ad: 480 x 70 pixels. This is a semi-transparent overlay that appears in the lower 20% of your video.
  • Skippable Video Ad: 1920 x 1080 pixels. Full-screen, high-res videos work best here.
  • Non-skippable Video Ad: 1920 x 1080 pixels. Make every second count with this format!

Pinterest

• Profile Picture: 165 x 165 pixels. Small, but mighty. Make sure it’s clear and consistent with your brand.
• Pin Sizes:
  • Standard Pins: 1000 x 1500 pixels (vertical works best).
  • Carousel Pins: 1000 x 1000 pixels (each image in the carousel should be square).
  • Promoted Pins: 1000 x 1500 pixels (same as standard, but with added oomph).
• Ad Sizes:
  • Promoted Pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels. This format blends seamlessly with organic pins.
  • Promoted Video Pin: 1000 x 1500 pixels (vertical) or 1920 x 1080 pixels (square). Great for showcasing dynamic content.
  • Shopping Ad: 1000 x 1500 pixels. Perfect for product-focused campaigns.

TikTok

• Profile Picture: 200 x 200 pixels. Keep it on-brand and recognizable.
• Video Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels. Full-screen vertical videos are where it’s at—make sure your content fills the screen beautifully.
• Ad Sizes:
  • In-Feed Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels. These ads appear in users’ feeds, so make them count.
  • Branded Hashtag Challenge: 1080 x 1920 pixels. Encourage user-generated content with this interactive format.
  • TopView Ad: 1080 x 1920 pixels. The first thing users see when they open the app—grab their attention!

Why These Sizes Matter

Using the correct sizes is more than just a technicality—it’s about enhancing user experience, keeping your brand consistent, and boosting those engagement rates. When your images are the right size, they load faster, look better, and fit seamlessly into users’ feeds, making them more likely to stop, look, and engage with your content.

Examples and Visuals

Visual learners, this one is for you. Below are a few examples to illustrate how these image sizes translate into real-world posts. Notice the difference in clarity and composition when the right dimensions are used. You can also download our handy resource file packed with artboards for each platform’s 2024 image sizes—because we’re all about making your design process smoother.

Resource File for Designers

As a bonus, we’ve put together a downloadable resource file that includes artboards with all the social media image sizes for 2024. This file is a lifesaver for designers who want to keep their workflow efficient and their designs on point. Grab it, save it, and use it for all your future projects.

Conclusion

Remember, the right image size is more than just pixels and dimensions; it’s about making sure your brand shines across every platform. Keep this guide handy, and don’t forget to download the resource file to stay ahead of the game.