SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE SIZES 2026.
Social media has become an integral part of many users’ lives. This is particularly true because it is no longer just about private use, but rather about the presence of companies. They also want to act professionally and confidently in the world of social media sites.
This requires good social media marketing, because only then does a social media post have the potential to achieve the desired effect and reach the right target group. Social media trends should therefore be closely monitored to ensure that social media marketing is successful.
Have you noticed that some companies are constantly improving their online presence? That their reach continues to grow and their presence on the World Wide Web is effective and visually appealing? In most cases, there are no secret recipes that promise such success. Usually, anyone can achieve results with the right ingredients. Unfortunately, captivating content alone is not enough to make progress in this area. Social media is a strategy game – and the best strategy wins.
Although in 2025 some people will still be wondering how to create a social media post, the majority of social media marketers are already analyzing the best social media image sizes for the various channels. Because it’s not just the optimal post including images, but also the optimal image size that is crucial for success.
WHY ARE SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGE SIZES SO IMPORTANT?
If you want your company to be successful, you should be active on several social media networks. The visual design of your social media profile must therefore be a priority. However, it is important to note that the various platforms each have different layouts. These differences are the recognition value, the trademark of the networks. But even within a single social media platform, there are different formats that you should keep in mind. That’s why it’s important to know the right social media image sizes for the different formats.
For this reason, Schindler Parent has put together a guide including an infographic to show the optimal image sizes at a glance. This will ensure that your posts and photos achieve the desired effect. Good to know: It is best to focus primarily on mobile social media image sizes, for example, for smartphones and tablets. Since users are highly likely to access content on mobile devices, optimal image sizes for desktops are of little use if the images are not recognizable on smartphones or tablets or take too long to load.
CORRECT IMAGE SIZES FOR INSTAGRAM IN 2026.
Let’s start with what is probably the best-known social media platform when it comes to images and creativity: Instagram. It is the beautiful moments in life that are captured on Instagram, the largest photo-sharing social media site. Similar to a digital photo album, it’s all about aesthetics. This means that as a company, you should choose a consistent visual language, because visual appearance is crucial on Instagram. To ensure that the images are presented correctly, you should pay attention to the optimal image size.
The optimal Instagram profile picture size for a sharp display is 1080 x 1080 pixels. On a platform that focuses primarily on visual content, your profile picture is the first step in personalizing your brand and content. Your profile picture serves as a brand identifier; it is a logo—it is the logo! Important to know: Although profile pictures are displayed in a round format on Instagram, they are square photos with an aspect ratio of 1:1.
When creating posts on Instagram, you can choose from various image size formats: image post, story, or reels. Depending on the format you choose, the image size and, in some cases, the reach or target audience will also change. For example, using IG stories and reels can also increase your reach on the platform. With the 2026 update, the display in the profile grid has changed in particular, which should be taken into account when designing.
Important: Posts, stories, and reels are best designed in a consistent and memorable visual language. This increases recognition value and followers can recognize and assign the posts of the respective brand more quickly.
Tip: In addition to well-curated images and the profile title (usually your own name, company name, or artist name), a link to your own website should also appear in the menu or bio on IG.
The Insta-Square.
The Insta square format.
In addition to the well–known IG–Quadrat, there is now also the landscape format on the platform. It has a media image size of 1080 x 608 pixels. Since 2025, the profile grid will automatically be adjusted to the new 4:5 format, so that the focus is on vertical content. However, the Instagram feed still displays the landscape format in its full width and does not crop it.
The Insta-Portrait.
Instagram Stories.
Instagram Reel sizes.
The dimensions for Instagram Reels videos are the same as the dimensions for Stories. However, the preview images (thumbnails) displayed in the feed before playback appear cropped.
CORRECT IMAGE SIZES 2026 FOR FACEBOOK.
As the world’s largest social network, Facebook is a channel that can help businesses reach a huge audience. Images are essential for this. However, as with the other channels, the pixel count and the resulting image size format for Facebook are crucial. Therefore, the display of the images must be chosen in such a way that the size of the images is considered for mobile devices as well as for the desktop view.
Below, we list the optimal Facebook post size for various use cases. There are four formats to choose from for the Facebook page.
The square, the portrait and landscape formats, the stories and videos.
Square images should be uploaded to Facebook with a size of 1200 x 1200 pixels. In addition to square, there are also vertical and horizontal formats on Facebook. The landscape orientation of the images for Facebook has a picture size of 1200 x 630 pixels. The portrait aspect ratio of images on Facebook, on the other hand, is 1200 x 1500 pixels. Of course, you can post not only photos but also videos on Facebook. The stories on Facebook are 1080 x 1920 pixels in size. Videos, on the other hand, are 1200 x 677 pixels in size. These are best uploaded as MP4 or MOV files. They may last a maximum of 120 minutes and not exceed a maximum size of 4 GB.
X-PICTURE SIZES 2026 AT A GLANCE.
The fast–paced nature of social media is perhaps best exemplified by X, formerly Twitter. Posts on this platform are always very brief and current. They generate a lot of attention at a high speed. To avoid getting lost in the crowd, posts with images have a better chance.
The X–profile picture with a size of 400 x 400 pixels is very important, as it is displayed on all posts and on the profile page. It is the logo of the respective account. The profile picture is displayed in a circular shape.
Similar to Facebook, X allows you to add a cover image, also known as a banner, to your profile with a size of 1500 x 500. The image is cropped to a 3:1 aspect ratio, and the display may vary depending on the monitor and browser. To ensure the best possible display, it is recommended to use the maximum image size. For example, it could serve as additional branding to promote new products.
Even on X, the importance of images should not be disregarded, as sharing an image also generates more engagement on the short message platform. The optimal image size of the images is also important here to maximize the results. Only landscape formats are used.
The X-landscape format.
The landscape orientation of in–stream photos measures 1600 x 900 pixels, a 16:9 ratio – at a minimum, it should be 600 x 336 pixels. Unlike the previously mentioned social media channels, this format is only for photos.
CORRECT IMAGE SIZES 2026 FOR LINKEDIN.
LinkedIn is certainly one of the most important communication tools for companies. It provides a platform for networking with professionals and young talents. Companies can strategically place their brand message and convey their values, so authenticity and professionalism are crucial. In short, LinkedIn promotes sustainable relationships and strengthens the competitive position. To stand out from the crowd and make a particularly good impression, attractive images are a priority when maintaining a company account.
Note that the size of the profile picture on a personal LinkedIn profile differs from the size of the profile picture on a company profile. The personal LinkedIn profile picture is 400 x 400 pixels. The company profile, on the other hand, is 300 x 300 pixels.
LinkedIn is a social media platform that specializes in jobs, knowledge sharing, and careers. The platform is not only a good place to make new business contacts, search for suitable companies, or support one’s own application, but also perfect for exchanging expertise, industry knowledge, and current trends. The profile picture with 400 x 400 pixels or 300 x 300 pixels is essential in its representation, as it is with the other platforms. It’s the image that others see first. The personal profile picture is cropped into a circle, similar to Instagram and Facebook. The profile picture of a company, on the other hand, can also be displayed as a square. Note that the profile picture will appear in the search results at a size of 60 x 60 pixels, so make sure that the picture is still recognizable at this size.
Tip: Your own website can be linked to your LinkedIn profile with a link. This way, a company’s presence can be made more versatile, and customers can find the company’s website even more quickly.
On LinkedIn, you can choose from three different formats and social media image sizes: square, landscape, and portrait. The respective image sizes must also be considered when writing a picture post. With our tips on the correct LinkedIn post format, your campaign’s success is no longer a problem.
The square format, as well as the LinkedIn horizontal and vertical formats.
In the square format, the image size is 1080 x 1080 pixels, while images in landscape format on LinkedIn have a size of 1200 x 627 pixels. However, the landscape format is not recommended, as it will be displayed in a smaller size in the mobile version. The alternative is a square or a full–screen portrait format. Here, an image has dimensions of 1080 x 1350 pixels. A square carousel ad with dimensions of 1080 x 1080 pixels is also possible and has become a popular choice, especially for employer branding posts. By the way: The format for LinkedIn articles (blogs on LinkedIn) is 744 x 400 pixels.
CORRECT IMAGE SIZES 2026 FOR TIKTOK.
The social media platform TikTok has grown enormously in recent years. In short, self–filmed videos, users worldwide share their personal stories, interests, hobbies, daily routines, and everything that could inspire and entertain others—from weird fashion trends to flying cats and dancing crowds to wild recipe ideas. It’s not about aesthetics. Authenticity and entertainment are the be–all and end–all. Because users can easily identify with the content of other users, a strong sense of community is felt in the community.
But companies are also active on the platform. Keyword: online marketing and recruiting. With filters, effects, and songs, short videos can be edited quickly and easily. To score content–wise, you need a certain sense of trends. Basically, “behind–the–scenes“, “day–in–a–life“, or “making–of” videos are very well received. Creativity knows no bounds – but it’s best to keep it short and snappy. Videos that are too long and sleepy are quickly swiped away. Because most TikTok users are between 14 and 24 years old, recruiting addresses young employees as well as potential trainees and students.
That the platform is particularly well–suited for brand marketing is proven by current studies: 59% of TikTok users regularly interact with brand content and even 68% say that they learn more about products and brands through TikTok. This should clear up any doubts at the latest. So, what are you waiting for?
To create a good TikTok, start with the basics:
Image sizes. To produce a razor–sharp image, there are also specifications here. The video itself should be 1080 x 1920 px for perfect resolution. This also applies to stories and carousels. The associated profile picture, through which the user recognizes what type of content it is, is optimally 200 x 200 px.
– BECAUSE THE PICTURE JOURNEY HAS AN END.
Create a cinematic experience for your customers. Combine storytelling with visual information and engage your audience through the interplay of different media.
Therefore, as a recurring but well-intentioned suggestion: Don’t forget the correct image size when it comes to photos or videos for your personal blog or posts on another social network.
The right image sizes make a significant difference, of course. But a truly strong social media presence requires more. You need the right tools to track and analyze which content really moves the target group. This is the only way to achieve higher follower numbers, more engagement, and overall stronger customer loyalty. From the data collected, you can create entertaining content that fits your brand and provides your community with real added value. Whether both are the case, you can check relatively easily – with comprehensive community management: answer comments, get feedback, clarify misunderstandings before it turns into a shitstorm. It is this regular interaction that brings the brand closer to potential customers. Monthly or yearly reports will provide you with numbers that prove successes – provided you have someone to write these reports for you. We support you in this – from analysis to creative content creation and community management to these reports. So you can stay at the top of the feed.
If you happen to forget the best image sizes, you can find our infographic (PDF) and practical graphic templates for InDesign, XD, and Photoshop here: