Social Media Image Dimensions Guide
Official 2026 pixel dimensions, aspect ratios, and safe zones for YouTube, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok images.
Platform & Asset Specification
Visual Canvas & Safe Zone Overlay
Official Platform Guidelines & Constraints
About this tool
How to use it
- Select your target social media network (YouTube, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or TikTok).
- Choose the exact media asset type from the dropdown (e.g. Channel Banner, Story, Reel, Thumbnail, or Feed Post).
- Adjust custom pixel width or height to calculate custom aspect ratios and target print dimensions at 72, 150, or 300 DPI.
- Review the interactive visual canvas preview and text safe zone overlay to ensure logos and headlines are never cropped by mobile UI elements.
Why it matters
Social media platforms automatically crop and recompress images that do not adhere to official aspect ratios and recommended pixel resolutions. Using incorrect dimensions leads to pixelation, blurry text, or critical brand logos being obscured by profile overlays and mobile UI elements.
When to use it
Use when creating YouTube channel art banners, designing Instagram carousel posts, preparing high-converting LinkedIn sponsored image cards, or setting up video thumbnail templates in Photoshop, Figma, or Canva.
Good to know
Specifications reflect official 2026 platform developer and help center guidelines. For best quality and crisp text rendering on Retina screens, upload PNG or highest-quality WebP assets at recommended dimensions.
Common questions
What are the safe zone dimensions for a YouTube banner?
The full YouTube banner canvas is 2560 × 1440 pixels (16:9), but the desktop and mobile safe zone for text and logos is the centered 1232 × 338 pixel rectangular area. Anything outside this central band will be cropped on mobile phones and tablets.
Why is 1080 × 1350 px (4:5) better than 1080 × 1080 px for Instagram?
Portrait 4:5 posts occupy approximately 25% more vertical screen real estate in the mobile Instagram feed compared to square 1:1 posts. This extra vertical height increases viewer dwell time, readability, and engagement rates.
What is the recommended image size for X / Twitter header banners?
The official recommended dimension for an X / Twitter header banner is 1500 × 500 pixels (a 3:1 aspect ratio). Keep critical text centered and leave breathing room in the bottom-left corner where your profile avatar overlaps.
What is the best image format for social media uploads?
PNG is recommended for graphics containing typography, illustrations, and crisp logos to avoid compression artifacts. For photographic content with complex gradients, high-quality JPG or sRGB WebP produces smaller file sizes with excellent visual fidelity.
What aspect ratio should TikTok and Instagram Reels covers use?
Both TikTok videos and Instagram Reels use a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio at 1080 × 1920 pixels. However, ensure text and critical action remain within the center 1080 × 1420 px safe area to avoid overlap with bottom captions, engagement icons, and user handles.