Social Media Image Requirements — Every Platform
Each social media platform enforces different image dimensions, formats, and file size limits for profile pictures, cover images, and shared link previews. Using the wrong specs results in cropping, compression artifacts, or missing thumbnails. This guide covers the technical requirements for every major platform.
Required Sizes
| Size | Format | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1200x630 | PNG/JPG | Open Graph image |
| 1200x600 | PNG/JPG | Twitter Card image |
| 1080x1080 | JPG | Instagram feed post |
| 2560x1440 | PNG/JPG | YouTube channel banner |
| 1280x720 | JPG | YouTube thumbnail |
| 820x312 | PNG/JPG | Facebook cover photo |
Best Practices
- 1Always include <meta property="og:image" content="..."> for link preview images on Facebook and LinkedIn.
- 2Add <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> and <meta name="twitter:image" content="..."> for Twitter previews.
- 3Export images at the exact platform dimensions — over-sized images are re-compressed by the platform.
- 4Use JPEG for photos and PNG for graphics with text or transparency needs.
Common Mistakes
- Not setting og:image meta tags — without them, shared links display no image preview on Facebook and LinkedIn.
- Using images smaller than the platform minimum — they get upscaled and blurred or are rejected entirely.
- Placing important content near the edges of YouTube banners — mobile and TV crops are much tighter than desktop.
- Forgetting to set twitter:card to "summary_large_image" — without it, Twitter shows a tiny thumbnail instead.
Generate Social Media Images
Upload one image and get correctly sized assets for OG, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.
Open GeneratorFrequently Asked Questions
What is the OG image size for Facebook?
1200x630 pixels is the recommended Open Graph image size for Facebook link previews. Images smaller than 600x315 may not display in the news feed.
How do I add a link preview image?
Add <meta property="og:image" content="https://yoursite.com/image.jpg"> to your page's <head>. For Twitter, also add <meta name="twitter:image" content="..."> and set the card type to "summary_large_image".
What format should social media images be?
JPEG for photographs and general images (smaller file sizes). PNG for graphics with text, logos, or transparency. Most platforms accept both formats.