Sizing Images for Social Media

As a photographer, you can’t just whack a photo onto social media these days and expect it to look on point. Instead knowing the best sizes for images on social media will help you decide what to post, and where.

The sizes for images on social media differ from platform to platform.

Getting the same image optimised for Twitter and Instagram for example require different crops to make the most of the native display of the app. Therefore, you may need 2-3 versions of the same photo to render it at its best.

Today, we’re going to look at the best sizes for images on social media.

Examples of different crops for social media platforms

Facebook

Cover Photos (that’s the area at the top of a profile) – 820px x 312px
Profile Pictures – 200px x 200px
Post Pictures – 630px x 1200px

Tip: Remember that portrait orientations fill the frame more when viewing on social media apps than horizontal photos.

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Twitter

Cover Photos (that’s the area at the top of a profile) – 1500px x 500px
Profile Pictures – 400px x 400px
Post Pictures – 1024px x 512px

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Twitter social media post image size examples

Instagram

Image for Instagram Stories – 1080px x 1920px (vertical for best display)
Profile Pictures – 200px x 200px
Post Pictures – 1080px x 1080px

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iPhotography Gallery

Of course, we’ll never miss an opportunity to guide you on the best sizes for images on our iPhotography gallery too. When you’re uploading to the gallery here are our recommendations for optimisation.

Photoshop Tips

Smart Sharpen your pictures by 10%
Convert to sRGB colour space (Save for Web Legacy in Photoshop)
Resize photo to 1500px on the longest side
Increase exposure/brightness by 5-10%
Oversaturate colours by 15%
Use the Bicubic Smoothen rendering

Lightroom Tips

When exporting your images use these parameters;

Convert to sRGB colour space
Resize photo to 1500px on the longest side
Change to 250dpi
Retain 100% JPG quality
Increase exposure/brightness by 5-10%
Oversaturate colours by 15%
Use High Sharpening for Screen

Even if you aren’t using Photoshop or Lightroom to edit your photos, it’s best to keep the image size between 1500px – 1900px on the longest side.

Read: How to use the iPhotography gallery

Summary

Now you’ve got a better understanding on the best sizes for images on social media you can now go forward and make the most of every upload.

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iPhotography Course not only teaches you all the standard technical expertise, settings, skills, and special effects with your camera – but we also show you how to use these skills to develop your own individual style as a photographer.