Social media success isn’t just about what you post—it’s how you post it.
If your images are blurry, poorly cropped, or stretched like a funhouse mirror, you hurt your brand and your audience. Crisp, properly sized visuals are essential to any digital marketing effort. They look more professional, generate more engagement, and elevate your content to stand out in a crowded online marketing space.
Each platform has specific image and video size requirements to ensure content looks its best. By following these specs, you ensure that your visuals upload properly, maintain quality, and (most importantly) attract attention.
The ultimate cheat sheet: social media specs for 2025
No more guessing games—here’s what you need to know for the big leagues:
- Profile photo: 320 x 320 pixels
- Portrait photos & Carousels: 1080 x 1350 pixels
- Landscape photos: 1080 x 566 pixels
- Stories & reels: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Profile photo: 170 x 170 pixels
- Cover photo: 851 x 315 pixels
- Post size: 1200 x 630 pixels
- Stories: 1080 x 1920 pixels
X (formerly Twitter)
- Profile photo: 400 x 400 pixels
- Header photo: 1500 x 500 pixels
- In-Stream photo: 1600 x 900 pixels
- Profile photo: 268 x 268 pixels
- Personal cover photo: 1584 x 396 pixels
- Company cover photo: 1128 x 191 pixels
- Shared image: 1200 x 627 pixels
TikTok
- Profile photo: 200 x 200 pixels
- Video dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels
(Want a deep dive? Check out Hootsuite’s complete guide for every platform under the sun.)
Tips for staying ahead of the game
Stay updated: Specs change frequently — and staying on top of them is part of a good marketing strategy. Set a reminder to check image sizes every few months.
Preview before you post: Whether you’re promoting products or services, always double-check how content displays across mobile and desktop.
Square vs. portrait vs. landscape: Different formats impact your online presence. Portrait and vertical content tends to perform better on mobile, while landscape is best for desktop viewing.
Optimize for engagement: Strong visuals are just one part of the equation. Use engaging CTAs, high-res media, and — when possible — align with pay per click or Google Ads strategies to amplify reach.
Think about file formats: PNGs preserve quality for image posts; MP4 is best for video content. This matters if you’re using visuals in a broader marketing campaign.
Test, analyze and adapt: This is key whether you’re in web development, social media, or search engine optimization (SEO). Monitor which formats drive more likes, shares, and conversions.
Don’t forget the creative edge
At Accurate, our design agency team knows that creative content isn’t just about specs — it’s about storytelling. From the design process to final delivery, our designers and developers work hand-in-hand to build assets that actually perform.
Looking for a trusted agency in Ottawa to elevate your brand’s digital marketing? From digital advertising to website design and beyond, we’ve helped companies across industries boost visibility, improve on their ROIs, and attract the right clients.
Ready, set, post!
Understanding social media specs is not just about following rules. It’s about making your content work better and easier. With the right dimensions and a little creative finesse, your posts can pop, engage, and convert better than ever. So keep up with the changes, experiment with new formats, and have fun with it.
Let our creatives make your content stand out—reach us at hello@accurate.ca!
