It’s no secret that having a strong visual strategy for your social media accounts is important when sourcing, connecting and engaging with candidates. In 2015 we posted a blog outlining the dimensions for the key visual elements on your social pages, which proved to be one of our most popular blogs of the year.

Since then, there have been quite a few changes to image sizes on each platform, so we’ve updated our guide and outlined the changes to help you get the most out of your visual strategy in 2016. Key changes to note are the Facebook social sharing image, profile images for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and the Google+ banner and layout. This year we have also added Instagram to the list.

Facebook

Banner & Profile Images

• Banner Image Dimensions: 851x315 pixels
• Profile Image Dimensions: 400x400 pixels

When you are posting an image to a Timeline, the orientation of the image will determine the dimensions Facebook will use to show your image.

Square Images

Square images will be resized to 400x400 pixels by Facebook. If your original image dimensions are smaller than this, your image may appear blurry.

Landscape Images

When you upload a landscape image to Facebook, it will be scaled to 470 pixels wide, and the height will be scaled accordingly too.

Portrait Images

When you upload a portrait image to Facebook it will be scaled to the height of 394 pixels, with the width then being scaled accordingly.

Shared Link Images

Each time you post a link to Facebook, it pulls through a feature image in the social card. This image pulls through at 1200x630 pixels. When you post a link you have the option to select an image pulled through by the link, or to upload your own to feature.

Twitter

Cover & Profile Images

• Cover Image: 1500x500 pixels
• Profile Image: 256x256 pixels

Tweet Images

When you are posting an image in a Tweet, the image appears in the Timeline at 506x253 pixels.

LinkedIn

Cover & Profile Images

• Cover Image: 646x222 pixels
• Profile Image: 400x400 pixels

LinkedIn Post Images

When you are posting an image in a LinkedIn post it will appear at a maximum width of 350 pixels. The height of the image, no matter the orientation, will be scaled to fit the new width.

Thumbnail Images

Thumbnail images for LinkedIn posts need to be a minimum 110x180 pixels, as they will be scaled accordingly.

Google+

Google+ Cover and Profile Images

• Cover Image: 1080x608 pixels
• Profile Image: 250x250 pixels

Google+ Post Images

When you are posting an image to a Google+ page it will appear at a maximum width of 506 pixels, with the height being scaled accordingly. 

YouTube

The way that the YouTube cover image is seen depends on the device you are viewing it on. The single image you upload has to cater for the various viewing platforms, so it is crucial to feature important images or information at the centre.

Below is a breakdown of the key sizes that you should take into account when creating and uploading your image.

• Overall image size 2560x1440 pixels (TV)
• Desktop image (cropped) 2560x423 pixels
• Text Logo & Safe Area 1546x423 pixels (this is the centre area of the image that will be seen on every device. 

Your company YouTube page should be connected to your company Google+ page, pulling the profile image through from there.

Instagram

The standard Instagram image is a 1:1 square. The following are the minimum dimensions to ensure the best quality for each area of your profile:

• Instagram Profile Image dimensions: 110x110 pixels
• Instagram Photo Thumbnail dimensions: 161x161 pixels
• Instagram Photo dimensions: 1080x1080 pixels

The default size for Instagram images is a square, but in the Instagram feed they may be any size. It is important to note though, that while the images may be varied sizes, they will be cropped to fit a square when viewing your profile.

For top quality images we recommend creating and uploading your images as .PNG files. If you get stuck or would like help creating your visual strategy, please feel free to get in touch. You can also download our PDF cheat sheet below.

Quick Reference Summary:

Facebook Image Sizes

Cover photo: 815 px wide by 315 px tall

Profile image: 400 px wide by 400 px tall

Shared image: 1200 px wide by 630 px tall

LinkedIn Image Sizes

Profile image: 400 px wide by 400 px tall

Banner image: 646 px wide by 220 px tall (minimum)

Standard logo: 400 px wide by 400 pixels tall (maximum)

Twitter Image Sizes

Header photo: 1500 px wide by 500 px tall

Profile image: 400 px wide by 400 px tall

YouTube Image Sizes

Channel cover photo: 2560 px wide by 1440 px tall

Google+ Image Sizes

Profile image: 250 px wide by 250 px tall

Cover image: 1080 px wide by 608 px tall

Instagram Image Sizes

Instagram Profile Image: 110 x 110 px

Instagram Photo Thumbnail: 161 x 161 px

Instagram Photo: 1080 x 1080 px

This post originally appeared on the Prominence Blog.