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How to Resize Images for Social Media (Correct Sizes for Every Platform)

Ajjlal Ahmed2026-04-26image resizersocial mediaInstagramLinkedInimage dimensions

How to Resize Images for Social Media (Correct Sizes for Every Platform)

Upload the wrong image size to a social media platform and it gets cropped, stretched, or compressed in unexpected ways. Each platform has its own ideal dimensions — and they don't agree with each other.

Here are the correct sizes for every major platform, and how to resize to them quickly for free.

The Correct Image Dimensions by Platform

Instagram

Use Dimensions Aspect Ratio
Square post 1080 × 1080 px 1:1
Portrait post 1080 × 1350 px 4:5
Landscape post 1080 × 566 px 1.91:1
Story / Reel 1080 × 1920 px 9:16
Profile picture 320 × 320 px 1:1

Instagram compresses images heavily. For best results, upload at the sizes above and compress beforehand to control quality.

X (Twitter)

Use Dimensions Aspect Ratio
In-feed image 1600 × 900 px 16:9
Profile picture 400 × 400 px 1:1
Header image 1500 × 500 px 3:1

LinkedIn

Use Dimensions Aspect Ratio
Post image 1200 × 628 px 1.91:1
Profile picture 400 × 400 px 1:1
Cover photo 1584 × 396 px 4:1
Company logo 300 × 300 px 1:1

Facebook

Use Dimensions Aspect Ratio
Post image 1200 × 630 px 1.91:1
Story 1080 × 1920 px 9:16
Profile picture 170 × 170 px 1:1
Cover photo 851 × 315 px ~2.7:1

YouTube

Use Dimensions Aspect Ratio
Thumbnail 1280 × 720 px 16:9
Channel banner 2560 × 1440 px ~1.77:1
Profile picture 800 × 800 px 1:1

How to Resize Images to These Dimensions for Free

  1. Go to imgshrnk.com/resize
  2. Upload your image
  3. Enter the target width and height in pixels
  4. Enable aspect ratio lock if you want to scale proportionally, or disable it to hit exact dimensions
  5. Choose output format (JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency)
  6. Download

No upload to a server. The resize runs entirely in your browser using the Canvas API.

Should You Use Aspect Ratio Lock or Set Exact Dimensions?

Use aspect ratio lock when you want to scale an image down proportionally without distortion. The image will fit within your target dimensions.

Disable aspect ratio lock when you need exact pixel dimensions (e.g. an Instagram square must be exactly 1080 × 1080). If your source image has a different ratio, parts will be cropped or the image will stretch — use imgshrnk's crop tool first to match the aspect ratio, then resize.

The Right Workflow for Social Media Images

For the cleanest results, do these steps in order:

  1. Crop to the correct aspect ratio using imgshrnk's crop tool
  2. Resize to the exact pixel dimensions using the resizer
  3. Compress to reduce file size before uploading using the compressor

Most platforms apply their own compression when you upload. If you upload a large uncompressed file, the platform's algorithm may produce worse results than if you pre-compress it yourself with controlled settings.

Why Platform Compression Ruins Your Images

Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook all re-compress images on upload. If your file is already well-compressed at a sensible quality (80–85), the platform has less work to do and the result is cleaner. If you upload a raw 8 MB JPEG, the platform will compress it aggressively and the result can look noticeably degraded.

The typical recommendation: resize to the correct dimensions, compress to JPEG quality 80–85 or export as WebP, then upload. This gives you a smaller file that the platform degrades less.

File Format for Social Media

JPEG — Best for photographs and images without text. Smaller file sizes, widely supported.

PNG — Best for graphics, logos, text overlays, or anything requiring transparency. Larger files but no lossy compression.

WebP — Best compression, but not all platforms accept it natively. Instagram and Facebook support WebP uploads; LinkedIn and X may convert to JPEG on their end.

When in doubt, JPEG at quality 80 is safe for every platform.

Quick Reference: Most-Used Sizes

If you only remember three sizes:

  • 1080 × 1080 — Instagram square (works across most platforms)
  • 1200 × 628 — LinkedIn/Facebook post (the standard link preview size)
  • 1080 × 1920 — Stories and Reels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Shorts)

Summary

  • Every social platform has different optimal image dimensions
  • Upload at the correct size to avoid unexpected cropping or stretching
  • Resize for free at imgshrnk.com/resize — runs in your browser, nothing uploaded
  • Workflow: crop to aspect ratio → resize to pixel dimensions → compress before uploading