Twitter image sizes: Stay up to date
| November 18, 2020
If you’re looking to get maximum engagement from a Twitter post, it’s important to understand image size requirements. After all, the platform has hundreds of millions of active users and they’re all in a discussion. Make sure to get your image size right to ensure high-quality posts. Here are some image sizes by the numbers.
Recommended Twitter image sizes
The constant evolution of big tech company updates can be hard to keep up. Although Twitter has image upload limitations, there are numerous ways to manipulate your pictures to meet Twitter dimension requirements. Thankfully Mac and Windows operating systems offer sizing tools to help easily manage sizes when uploading. But first, it’s important to know the image requirements before clicking upload.
Image size requirements:
- Minimum size: 440 x 220 pixels
- Recommended aspect ratio: 16:9
- Supported formats: .GIF .JPG .PNG
- Unsupported formats: .BMP and .TIFF files
Maximum file sizes:
- 5 MB for photos
- 5 MB for GIFs on mobile
- 15 MB on the web
It’s also important to know your image file types and when to use them before posting.
3 tweeting tips
Optimal image sizes are helpful but do some prep work before posting if you want to keep your pixels sharp and your image in focus.
Here are some tips:
- Test your images on multiple devices
- Crop to keep images center stage and in focus
- Post on your mobile network first for immediate access
Image stacks and more recommended sizes
Twitter allows you to post one to four images per tweet. When you post four, the platform stacks two side by side. Twitter recommends a width of 600 pixels. Once expanded to full view, larger images look better in this sizing. The height you choose for your image is flexible, but if exceeding the width Twitter crops to a 1:1 ratio.
Testing image sizes on a private or personal account before posting will allow you to adjust in advance of posting. Recommended sizes will vary depending on the type of post you make. Here are some recommended dimensions:
- Profile picture size: 400 x 400
- Header size: 1500 x 500
- Post size: 1024 x 512
- Card size: 1200 x 628
Compress images that don’t fit
Avoid image degradation by reducing size before publishing online. When files are too large they need advanced compression otherwise the image is distorted. This also helps with quality control when a file exceeds Twitter’s sizing limitations.
Thankfully both Mac and Windows operating systems have compression tools that are easy to use and take little time. If looking for particular compression apps there are plenty available for download.
Use these tips to keep your images in focus and your posts looking sharp.