Social Media Image Sizes & Aspect Ratios: 2026 Complete Guide
Social media platforms each have their own recommended image dimensions, and they change regularly. Using the wrong size means your images get cropped, blurry, or poorly displayed. This guide covers every major platform for 2026.
Why Image Sizes Matter on Social Media
Each platform has a different feed layout, display area, and compression algorithm. An image optimised for one platform may look blurry, cropped, or stretched on another. Uploading at the exact recommended dimensions ensures:
- →No unexpected cropping of key content
- →Maximum sharpness — no upscaling by the platform
- →Faster load times — correct sizing reduces file size
- →Better performance in recommendation algorithms
Instagram Image Sizes 2026
Instagram supports three feed ratios plus Stories and Reels. For feed posts, 4:5 portrait (1080×1350) gives you the most vertical space — ideal for maximising scroll visibility.
| Format | Dimensions | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Feed Post (Square) | 1080 × 1080 | 1:1 |
| Feed Post (Portrait) | 1080 × 1350 | 4:5 |
| Feed Post (Landscape) | 1080 × 566 | 1.91:1 |
| Story / Reel | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| Profile Picture | 320 × 320 | 1:1 |
YouTube Dimensions 2026
YouTube is a 16:9 platform. Design thumbnails at 1280×720 with bold, readable text — your thumbnail is often the deciding factor for whether someone clicks.
| Format | Dimensions | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Video (1080p) | 1920 × 1080 | 16:9 |
| Shorts | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| Thumbnail | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 |
| Channel Banner | 2560 × 1440 | 16:9 |
TikTok Video Sizes 2026
TikTok is entirely vertical — always use 9:16 at 1080×1920 for the best quality. Keep key content in the centre of the frame and away from the bottom 20% where captions and UI elements appear.
| Format | Dimensions | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Video (Recommended) | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| Profile Picture | 200 × 200 | 1:1 |
Quick Reference: All Platforms
Here is a quick-reference table for the most commonly used social media image sizes in 2026:
| Platform | Format | Dimensions | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feed Post (Portrait) | 1080 × 1350 | 4:5 | |
| Story / Reel | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 | |
| YouTube | Video | 1920 × 1080 | 16:9 |
| YouTube | Thumbnail | 1280 × 720 | 16:9 |
| TikTok | Video | 1080 × 1920 | 9:16 |
| X / Twitter | Post Image | 1600 × 900 | 16:9 |
| Post Image | 1200 × 628 | 1.91:1 | |
| Post Image | 1200 × 630 | 1.91:1 | |
| Standard Pin | 1000 × 1500 | 2:3 |
Summary
Bookmark this guide and use our free Aspect Ratio Calculator to verify or convert any dimensions in seconds. Enter your current image size and target platform dimensions to check quality, calculate CSS values, and share results instantly.
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