The Complete Guide to Social Media Image Sizes for 2026

Why Image Sizes Matter More Than You Think

Using the wrong image dimensions on social media doesn't just look unprofessional — it actively hurts your performance. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram will crop, compress, or downscale images that don't match their recommended specs, resulting in:

• Blurry or pixelated images that scream "amateur"
• Key elements cropped out — your headline or CTA gets cut off
• Lower engagement rates — the algorithm deprioritizes low-quality visuals
• Wasted ad spend — poorly formatted ads have higher cost-per-click

Facebook Image Sizes (2026)

Feed Posts

• Recommended: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1 square)
• Landscape: 1200 x 630 px (1.91:1)
• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 — gets more feed real estate)

Facebook Stories

• Recommended: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Safe zone: Keep text and key elements within the center 1080 x 1420 px

Facebook Ads

• Single Image: 1080 x 1080 px (1:1) — works across placements
• Carousel: 1080 x 1080 px per card
• Collection Cover: 1200 x 628 px

Cover Photo

• Desktop: 820 x 312 px
• Mobile: 640 x 360 px (center your key elements)

Instagram Image Sizes (2026)

Feed Posts

• Square: 1080 x 1080 px (still the classic)
• Portrait: 1080 x 1350 px (4:5 — recommended for maximum engagement)
• Landscape: 1080 x 566 px (1.91:1 — not ideal, loses feed space)

Instagram Stories & Reels

• Recommended: 1080 x 1920 px (9:16)
• Minimum: 600 x 1067 px

Instagram Ads

• Same as feed dimensions
• Carousel: 1080 x 1080 px per card

LinkedIn Image Sizes (2026)

Feed Posts

• Recommended: 1200 x 627 px (1.91:1)
• Square: 1080 x 1080 px (also works well)

Company Page Banner

• Recommended: 1128 x 191 px

LinkedIn Ads

• Sponsored Content: 1200 x 627 px
• Message Ads: 300 x 250 px

X (Twitter) Image Sizes (2026)

Feed Posts

• Single image: 1600 x 900 px (16:9)
• Two images: 700 x 800 px each
• Header photo: 1500 x 500 px

X Ads

• Website Card: 800 x 418 px (1.91:1)
• App Card: 800 x 800 px (1:1)

YouTube Image Sizes (2026)

Thumbnails

• Recommended: 1280 x 720 px (16:9)
• Minimum: 640 x 360 px
• Max file size: 2 MB

Channel Banner

• Recommended: 2560 x 1440 px
• Safe area for all devices: center 1546 x 423 px

Google Display Ad Sizes (2026)

The most common and effective Google Display sizes:

Size	Name	Usage
300 x 250	Medium Rectangle	Most common, high fill rate
728 x 90	Leaderboard	Top of page, desktop
160 x 600	Wide Skyscraper	Sidebar placement
320 x 50	Mobile Leaderboard	Mobile websites
300 x 600	Half Page	High-impact desktop

Pro Tips for Image Optimization

1. Design for Mobile First

Over 80% of social media browsing happens on mobile. Always preview how your image looks on a phone screen.

2. Use the 4:5 Ratio When Possible

On Instagram and Facebook, 4:5 portrait images take up more screen real estate than square or landscape, leading to higher engagement.

3. Keep Text Under 20%

Facebook's old 20% text rule is no longer strictly enforced, but images with minimal text still perform better in ads.

4. Save in the Right Format

• PNG: Best for graphics with text, logos, transparency
• JPG: Best for photographs, smaller file sizes
• WebP: Best for web — smaller files, same quality

How The Image Generator Helps

Instead of memorizing all these dimensions, The Image Generator includes pre-configured templates for every major platform:

• Select "Facebook Feed" and get a perfectly sized 1080x1080 canvas
• Choose "Instagram Story" for an optimized 1080x1920 layout
• Pick "YouTube Thumbnail" for broadcast-ready 1280x720 images

Every template is pre-configured with the exact dimensions, aspect ratios, and composition guides you need. Just write your prompt, select your template, and generate — the sizing is handled automatically.