Social Media Image Size Guide 2017 (inkl. Infographic and Download)

When optimizing your social media channels, images are an important means to stand out from the crowd. The image language and information on your social media images represents you, your product or your company. And that is what they should do best. The profile, pages, or channel layouts of social media change regularly, though often only marginally. Image sizes and formats are also adjusted regularly. Therefore, I have created a guide for the formats and social media image sizes for 2017.

Social Media Image Sizes 2017: all formats for the most important networks

You can find the infographic of the Social Media image sizes 2017 at the end of this article for saving and printing. Also downloadable templates for the social media profile images of Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Xing and LinkedIn. You can use this as a template for your profiles and adjust it to your needs.

Why it is important to use the right image sizes is obvious. If you upload images to social networks that are too broad or too high, they will be cut off at the sides and important information may be lost. Or the uploaded images are too narrow and too low, then they are scaled up and can become blurred. Both of these situations do not make a good impression on the viewer, they are unprofessional and can cost you fans / followers and customers. The right social media picture sizes and formats can be found below for the most important social networks.

Facebook Image Sizes 2017

• Facebook Cover Image: 828 x 315 Pixel and max. 100kb file size
• Facebook Profile Image: 180 x 180 Pixel
• Facebook In-stream Image: 1200 x 630 Pixel
• Facebook Event Cover Image: 784 x 295 Pixel
• Facebook Event Image: 470 x 470 Pixel
• Facebook Group Cover Image: 784 x 250 Pixel

Twitter Image Sizes 2017

• Twitter Profil Image: 400 x 400 Pixel and max. 100kb file size
• Twitter Header Image: 1500 x 500 Pixel and max. 10MB file size
• In-stream Image: 440 x 220 Pixel and max. 5MB file size
• In-stream Gif: 440 x 220 Pixel and max. 3MB file size
• Twitter Website Card Image: 240 x 96 Pixel
• Twitter Photo Card Image: 375 x 435 Pixel for Desktop
• Twitter Photo Card Image: 375 x 280 Pixel for Mobile
• Twitter Product Card Image: 160 x 160 Pixel
• Twitter Lead Generation Card Image: 600 x 150 Pixel
• Twitter Summary Card Image: 280 x 150 Pixel
• Twitter Gallery Card Image: 280 x 150 Pixel

YouTube Image Sizes 2017

• YouTube Channel Cover Image: 2560 x 1440 Pixel for Desktop
• YouTube Channel Cover Image: 1855 x 423 Pixel for Tablet
• YouTube Channel Cover Image: 1546 x 423 Pixel for Smartphones
• YouTube Channel Cover Image: 2560 x 1440 Pixel for Smart TVs
• YouTube Video Uploads: 1280 x 760 Pixel

Instagram Image Sizes 2017

• Instagram Profile Image: 110 x 110 Pixel
• In-stream Image: 1080 x 1080 Pixel
• Instagram Thumbnails: 161 x 161 Pixel

Pinterest Image Sizes 2017

• Pinterest Profile Image: 165 x 165 Pixel
• Pinterest Board Image: 222 x 150 Pixel
• Pinterest Pin: fixe Breite mit 238 Pixel and variable height
• Expanded Pins: Min. Breite von 600 Pixel

Tumblr Image Sizes 2017

• Tumblr Avatar: 60 x 60 Pixel, max. size of 512 x 512 Pixel
• Tumblr Image Post: 540 x 810 Pixel and max. 10MB file size
• Tumble Gif Post: 1280 x 1920 Pixel and max. 2MB file size

Google+ Image Sizes 2017

• Google+ Profile Image: 250 x 250 Pixel
• Google+ Cover Image: 1080 x 608 Pixel
• In-stream Image: 497 x 373 Pixel

LinkedIn Image Sizes 2017

• LinkedIn Background Image: 1400 x 425 Pixel
• LinkedIn Standard Logo: 400 x 400 Pixel
• LinkedIn Profile Image: 400 x 400 Pixel
• LinkedIn Career Cover Image: 974 x 330 Pixel
• LinkedIn Banner: 646 x 220 Pixel
• LinkedIn Square Logo: 60 x 60 Pixel
• LinkedIn Pulse Image: 700 x 400 Pixel
• LinkedIn Business Cover Image: 1526 x 768 Pixel

Xing Image Sizes 2017

• Xing Profile Image: 640 x 846 Pixel
• Xing About me Header: 565 x 200 Pixel
• Xing Company Logo: 285 x 70 Pixel and max. 5MB file size
• Xing Top Company Logo: 120 x 60 Pixel
• Xing Group Logo: 233 x 69 Pixel
• Xing Group Banner: 918 x 69 Pixel
• Xing Group List Logo: 80 x 25 Pixel
• Xing Event Logo: 240 x 180 Pixel

Is there a picture size that fits all social media channels?

I have to disappoint you. There is no image size for use on all social networks. Especially if you use not only a photo, but also additional information in your social media pictures embedded. The good news is, there are some tools that can help you create the perfect picture for any social media channel. For example, the Social Media Image Maker von Auer Planete for any format, as well as Canva which supports most of the formats. If you need pictures for your social media postings, you should definitely have a look at Pablo by Buffer.

What DPI / PPI should I use for social media images?

DPI (dots per inch) and PPI (pixels per inch) describe the dot density, i.e. the pixels per inch of a graphic area. For web resolution you will use in the normal case 72ppi to get a sufficiently good quality. To be also equipped for Retina displays and 4K screens 150ppi are recommended. You can save your social media images with a quality of 80 to 100%, so there should basically be no problems with the limitations of the file size.

Social Media Cover Image Template Download

I have created a Photoshop template (which works with Affinity Photo as well) with the correct image size for the header image for the social networks Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, Xing and LinkedIn, as well as help lines for the profile pictures, menu bar and other areas for the respective channel. This allows you to personalize your social media header images and let your social network channels shine in a perfect appearance.

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5 tips for better social media pictures

1. Your social media images represent you, your brand or product, so only the best image material is good enough for your social media channels. This includes not only high-resolution imagery, but also the right size, design and placement of important content on your header and profile images.
2. Do not leave the profile image to a gray avatar or a colorful bird. It is displayed with every message and posting that you are writing. The profile image creates a recognition and trust. The more familiar you or your brand are the higher is this value and the trust in your profile picture and your name.
3. Your header or cover image will appear when a user accesses your profile or page. It offers additional space to show more of you or your product, display your skills, contact options, products, or a key message. Use this space well and challenge users to interact with you.
4. Shared images are often neglected in social networks for various reasons. These are the images that are seen most frequently next to the profile image and have the greatest reach. A branding template for your social media posts, possibly even one for each type of posting, can add a lot value to your branding.
5. Be consistent with your social media images and use the same images on all channels. This ensures again a better recognition and if a user has already been in contact with you or your brand on a channel, it is easier for him to recognize you in conjunction with a consistent image world and a consistent wording.

Infographic: Latest images dimensions for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more Social Networks

Infographic Source: www.makeawebsitehub.com

Another way to stay up-to-date is to keep this spreadsheet with always up-to-date values for Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and Tumblr image dimensions in mind.