Every social media platform has unique requirements for image dimensions, video formats, aspect ratios, file size limits, compression algorithms, and codec support. Uploading media at the wrong size can result in unwanted cropping, black bars, excessive compression artifacts, or outright rejection. This comprehensive guide covers exact specifications for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Vimeo, Twitch, and Dailymotion — including recommended resolutions, aspect ratios, file formats, maximum file sizes, and expert optimization tips for each platform. Use our free optimization tools to automatically format your images and videos to each platform's exact specifications, eliminating guesswork and ensuring your content looks its best everywhere. Whether you are a social media manager preparing campaign assets, a content creator uploading to multiple platforms, or a business owner optimizing your online presence, having the correct media specifications is essential for professional-quality results.
Recommended dimensions for each platform to avoid cropping and compression artifacts
| Platform | Recommended Size | Aspect Ratio | Type | Max File Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Feed (Square) | 1080×1080px | 1:1 | Square | 30MB |
| Instagram Feed (Portrait) | 1080×1350px | 4:5 | Portrait | 30MB |
| Instagram Stories / Reels | 1080×1920px | 9:16 | Vertical | 4GB (video) |
| Instagram Profile Picture | 320×320px | 1:1 | Square | 5MB |
| Twitter/X Feed Image | 1600×900px | 16:9 | Landscape | 5MB |
| Twitter/X Header | 1500×500px | 3:1 | Banner | 5MB |
| Twitter/X Profile Photo | 400×400px | 1:1 | Square | 2MB |
| YouTube Thumbnail | 1280×720px | 16:9 | Landscape | 2MB |
| YouTube Channel Art | 2560×1440px | 16:9 | Banner | 6MB |
| YouTube Profile Photo | 800×800px | 1:1 | Square | 4MB |
| TikTok Video | 1080×1920px | 9:16 | Vertical | 500MB |
| TikTok Profile Photo | 200×200px | 1:1 | Square | 2MB |
| LinkedIn Feed Image | 1200×627px | 1.91:1 | Landscape | 5MB |
| LinkedIn Profile Photo | 400×400px | 1:1 | Square | 8MB |
| LinkedIn Cover Photo | 1584×396px | 4:1 | Banner | 8MB |
| Facebook Feed Image | 1200×630px | 1.91:1 | Landscape | 10MB |
| Facebook Profile Photo | 180×180px | 1:1 | Square | 4MB |
| Facebook Cover Photo | 820×312px | 2.63:1 | Banner | 4MB |
| Pinterest Pin (Standard) | 1000×1500px | 2:3 | Portrait | 10MB |
| Pinterest Profile Photo | 165×165px | 1:1 | Square | 2MB |
| Snapchat Snap | 1080×1920px | 9:16 | Vertical | 200MB |
| WhatsApp Profile Photo | 640×640px | 1:1 | Square | 5MB |
| Telegram Profile Photo | 640×640px | 1:1 | Square | 5MB |
Expert recommendations for each category of social platform
YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, Dailymotion: Use MP4 with H.264 codec for universal compatibility. H.265 is better for 4K content on supported platforms.
WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber: These apps apply server-side compression. Send media as documents to bypass compression and maintain original quality.
TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts: Vertical 9:16 ratio is essential. Keep videos under 60 seconds for maximum engagement.
Instagram, Pinterest: Use high-resolution JPEG at 1080px minimum width. PNG for graphics with text. Avoid over-compressing as these platforms re-encode anyway.
Twitch, YouTube Live: Use 6000kbps bitrate at 1080p30/60. H.264 encoder, AAC audio. Test your stream before going live to verify quality.
Convert files for social platforms
Choose a platform preset below
Optimize images and videos for Instagram with correct aspect ratio and format
Optimize media for Twitter with the right resolution and format
Prepare videos for YouTube with optimal resolution and codec settings
Optimize videos for TikTok with vertical format and correct settings
Optimize media for WhatsApp with proper compression and format
Optimize images and videos for Telegram with proper format and compression
Optimize media for Viber with correct size limits and format
Prepare professional-quality videos for Vimeo upload
Optimize videos for Twitch streaming and VOD uploads
Prepare videos for Dailymotion with correct format and size
Common questions about image and video formats for social platforms
Platforms compress to reduce storage costs and bandwidth. Billions of uploads daily require efficient file sizes. Uploading at recommended specifications minimizes generational quality loss from double compression.
JPEG is universally supported for photos. PNG preserves sharp edges and transparency for graphics. WEBP is increasingly supported but some platforms convert it. Stick with JPEG for photographs and PNG for screenshots/logos.
Yes — but only to match platform requirements without excessive compression. Over-compressing before upload causes visible artifacts after the platform re-encodes. Use our presets to hit the sweet spot.
1080p (1920×1080) is the standard for landscape content. 1080×1920 for vertical/Stories. Upload at these resolutions and let the platform handle scaling down for smaller displays.
Instagram compresses images to around 1080px width regardless of original resolution. Upload at 1080px to match their processing pipeline and minimize unwanted compression artifacts.
Instagram Feed: 60s, Reels: 90s, TikTok: 10 min, YouTube: 12 hrs (verified), Twitter/X: 2m20s (free), Facebook: 240 min, LinkedIn: 10 min, WhatsApp: 16 min.
Absolutely. Wrong aspect ratios cause unwanted cropping, black bars, or awkward letterboxing. Square (1:1) for Instagram feed, Vertical (9:16) for Stories/Reels/TikTok, Landscape (16:9) for YouTube and Twitter.
H.264 (AVC) is supported by every major platform and device. Use H.264 Main or High profile at 30fps for best results. H.265 (HEVC) offers better compression but less universal support.
LinkedIn recommends JPEG or PNG for profile photos and cover images. Keep file sizes under 8MB for profile photos and use RGB color mode (not CMYK). The optimal profile photo resolution is 400×400px.
Upload at exactly 1080×1080px for square posts, 1080×1350px for portrait, or 1080×566px for landscape. Instagram will not crop images at these native resolutions. Always check the preview before posting.
Pinterest recommends a 2:3 aspect ratio (1000×1500px being ideal). Taller pins perform better in search results and take up more screen space. Pinterest compresses images to webp format but preserves quality well at recommended sizes.
TikTok accepts vertical 9:16 videos at 1080×1920px. Use H.264 codec at 30fps with AAC audio at 128kbps. Maximum file size is 500MB and maximum duration is 10 minutes. Higher bitrates (8-10 Mbps) produce the best quality.
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