Answering the main question about images: what proportions, sizes, and formats should be used for Insta, stories, feeds, or ads.
Ordinary social media users do not think about what sizes images and photos should be for social networks: they just post for themselves — and that's it.
It's another matter for SMM specialists, designers, and marketers. Pixels, weight, and format of each image for each network matter to develop layouts for posts, stories, headers, or covers for groups.
We have created a cheat sheet to help quickly navigate the photo sizes for Instagram*, VKontakte, Facebook*, and Odnoklassniki.
Three important parameters of images
Each image has three important parameters: its size, measured in pixels (hereinafter — px), the aspect ratio, designated as [width]:[height], and the weight of the image in megabytes.
Image sizes for VKontakte
VKontakte allows you to upload photos with a maximum weight of 50 MB and a total aspect ratio not exceeding 14,000 px. However, different requirements are set for different images.
Avatar size on VK
For an avatar on VKontakte, it is best to use an image with a resolution of at least 200x200 pixels, ideally with a width of 800 pixels. Aspect ratio — 1:1, while for a personal page you can upload square, horizontal, or vertical images.
For the menu, the image size should be 376x256 pixels. Community avatars are only displayed as thumbnails, so it is better to use square images for them right away.
Image size for a post on VKontakte
VKontakte allows you to use various images: large and small, square and rectangular, horizontal and vertical. You can even place an image the size of 1x1 pixel. However, it will hardly be visible: for users, it will look like a black square, and only you will know about the image somewhere in the center.
It is best to upload images with a size of 800x533 px and above with an aspect ratio of 3:2. For example — 900x600, 1200x800 or 1920x1280 px.
However, the interface will accept other image sizes such as 1920x1080, 1600x900, and any others. The main thing is that they are not too small and have proportions above 8:9.
If you are preparing an advertising post, use the Postmypost photo and video editor. Here you will find all the necessary tools for those who want to create a unique post "from scratch". And those who value every minute can use one of the many ready-made design templates.
Image size for an external link in VK
When uploading from a link, the size of the image in VKontakte is 537x240 px and has a scale of 179:80. You can upload your image since the image is taken from the link's metadata.
Community cover size on VKontakte
The optimal image size for a group on VKontakte is considered to be 1920x768 px. Note: in the mobile app, the image resolution is 1920x640 pixels. To ensure the correct display of the image, leave margins and place important information away from the edges so it is not accidentally cut off.
Images for live covers on VKontakte
The higher the quality of the image, the more interesting the live cover will look. Therefore, choose an image for it from 200 pixels on each side and with a file weight not exceeding 30 MB.
By the way, live covers only work in the mobile app, up to five images or videos can be uploaded.
Initially, users see a cover preview: it is slightly smaller than the full-size image — 1080x832 px. The full live cover opens after clicking on it. Consider this when choosing a photo.
Images for article covers on VK
Choose an image from illustrations for the cover of the article or select a new one that is not used in the text. Leave small margins at the edges.
The photo size for articles on VKontakte is 510x286 pixels. For the cover, images with a resolution of 1920x1080 with small margins at the edges are best suited.
Images for product and service catalog covers on VK
The optimal image size for the catalog cover is 1280x720 px. In the mobile app, the visible part of the cover is smaller — only 1060x720 px. Consider this when choosing an image.
Images for product cards on VKontakte
The aspect ratio of the image with a product or service is 1:1. If you upload rectangular shots, they will be displayed with a frame. Choose images with a resolution of 1080x1080 to 6000x6000 px to showcase the product in all its glory.
Images for Stories on VK
The proportions for images in VK are 9:16. With this aspect ratio, the image will cover the entire smartphone screen. Therefore, it is best to select a resolution of 720x1280 or 1080x1920 px. The photo size should not exceed 10 MB.
For videos, it is better to use a size of 720x1280 px.
Images for targeted ads on VKontakte
VK sets different requirements for each type of ad. Minimum requirements for images are as follows:
- Universal post — aspect ratio 1:1, 32:21, 19:16, width - from 510 px.
- Carousel — aspect ratio 1:1, minimum size 240x240 px.
- Post with button — aspect ratio 179:80, minimum size 537x240 px.
- Banner for community, external link, and app ads — aspect ratio 29:17, minimum size 145x85 px.
- Website, post, personal page, mobile app ads — aspect ratio 1.78:1, minimum size 1080x607 px.
- Ads in Stories — only video format can be used, and targeted advertising on a static image is not allowed
Image sizes for Instagram*
The maximum weight of a photo should not exceed 30 MB.
Avatars on Instagram*
The size of the photo for an avatar on Instagram* can be larger or smaller than the recommended 320x320 px. The social network will automatically adjust the photo to the required dimensions. If the image was too small initially, it will be stretched, and the image will be blurred.
Don't forget that the avatar on this network is circular. Choose such pictures that will look good in this format.
Highlights icons on Instagram*
Highlights are important "eternal" stories pinned under the profile header. They allow followers to convey important information.
Images for highlights are taken from archival stories. It is best to place icons in files of 1080x1920 px — they will automatically be adjusted to the required size.
Images for posts on Instagram*
Initially, all images on Instagram were cropped into squares, but now the social network does not limit users in choosing the height and width of images. However, it is still necessary to observe aspect ratios to maintain the composition. Instagram* post pictures have the following requirements:
- format 1:1 — 1080x1080 px;
- format 4:5 — 1080x1350 px;
- format 1.91:1 — 1080x566 px.
Take note: - Photos with an aspect ratio of 1:1 are best suited for still lifes, static portraits, and top-angle shots.
- Photos with an aspect ratio of 1.91:1 are ideal for landscapes or dynamic reportage shots.
- Photos with an aspect ratio of 4:5 are most often used for portraits and posters, as well as landscapes and still lifes.
Images for stories on Instagram*
The aspect ratio for images in stories should be 9:16, minimum size — 600x1067, optimal — 1080x1920 px, and the weight — not more than 20 MB. If the image does not match the optimal sizes, it can be placed on a suited background in terms of color scheme.
Images for targeted ads on Instagram*
Meta* sets specific requirements for targeted ads. Thus, for feeds, ad images should have an aspect ratio of 1:1 and a size of 1080x1080 px. And for stories — an aspect ratio of 9:16 and a size of 1080x1080 px.
Image sizes for Odnoklassniki
OK is becoming popular again, many users who had abandoned their personal pages and groups have returned here or created new pages and groups. To be noticeable in OK, it is necessary to beautifully and correctly design your profile or group. And for this, you need to comply with optimal image sizes.
Image for an avatar on Odnoklassniki
For an avatar, you can either upload an image sized 1680x160 or crop it from an already uploaded photo.
Please note: on a personal page, the avatar is displayed with a resolution of 265x265 px, and in a group — 90x90 px.
A group avatar in OK can weigh up to 5 MB.
Image for a cover on Odnoklassniki
In principle, you can upload any photo for the cover on Odnoklassniki; however, only part of the image will be displayed. The optimal image size for the site is 1944x600 px, for the phone app — 1024x768 px.
If you want all the content of the cover to be visible on any device, place important information in the center of the image, highlighting an area of 980x240 px.
Image for a post on Odnoklassniki
It is best to place horizontal images sized 900x600 or 1200x800 px on Odnoklassniki. All images with one side exceeding 1680 px will be reduced to optimal sizes.
Note: for the browser, the image aspect ratio must be 3:2. If your image has other parameters, when published, it will be supplemented with frames.
In the app, both square and vertical pictures can be published — they will be displayed without frames.
Images for Moments on Odnoklassniki
Moments on Odnoklassniki are published as vertical images with an aspect ratio of 9:16 and a resolution of 1080x1920 px. Various stickers and masks can be added to specially made "moment" shots immediately. When choosing an image from the gallery, add text, a sticker, or apply a filter.
Images for products in Odnoklassniki groups
The image size for the catalog should be 500x500 px; the visible part of the desktop and mobile version is 500x375 px. For product cards, images sized 1000x1000 px are recommended.
Image sizes for targeted ads on Odnoklassniki
Odnoklassniki offers a good selection of ad formats, and images of appropriate sizes should be selected for each of them.
- Image for the carousel — aspect ratio 1:1, size 600x600 px, number of cards — from 3 to 15.
- Image for the advertising link — aspect ratio 2:1, minimum size 640x320 px.
- Multi-format — aspect ratio 1.78:1, image size 1080x607 px.
- Teaser ad — aspect ratio 6:5, size 90x75. Post in ad carousel — 600x600.
Image sizes for Facebook*
Avatars on Facebook*
You can upload a photo of any size for the avatar, and the social network will automatically adjust it to the required parameters.
The avatar sizes for Facebook* differ for the mobile app and PC version. In the first case, the minimum size is 128x128 px, in the second case — 170x170. The maximum image weight can be 30 MB.
Cover for Facebook*
The minimum resolution for a group cover image is 400x150 px, but the optimal size is 1640x856 px. If you use an image with the minimum permissible values, the social network will "stretch" it, and the image quality will significantly decrease.
Note: the top and bottom 96 px will be hidden — this should be considered when choosing an image. The aspect ratio should be 1.91:1.
For event cover images, the aspect ratio should be 300:157, and the minimum photo size — 1200x628 px.
On the computer, the cover is displayed at a resolution of 1174x435 px, on the phone — 640x360 px.
Images for posts on FB*
It is best to use horizontal images with a resolution of 1200x630 px. The social network allows vertical and square images, but they will have frames added automatically during publication.
Images in a Facebook link post*
The size of the image from the link should be 630x320 px. Part of the image will be hidden by the "Additional link information" button. The image cannot be changed.
Images for stories on Facebook*
The requirements for story images are standard: resolution 1080x1920 px, aspect ratio — 9:16.
Images for targeted ads on Facebook*
For images in advertising on this social network, there are specific requirements.
- Stories — aspect ratio 9:16, resolution 1080x1080 px.
- Search, post feed, instant articles — aspect ratio from 1.91:1 to 1:1, size from 1080x1080.
- Right column, marketplace — aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1080x1080.
- Audience Network — aspect ratio 9:16, size from 398x208 px.
How to change the size of an image for a social network?
To change the size of an image for social networks (or edit an image), it is best to use special services. Here are some of the most interesting ones.
Postmypost
The simplest and fastest service for preparing an image for publication is the Postmypost image editor.
The editor allows you to work with image sizes, selecting the optimal for each social network, change and configure backgrounds, add texts, captions, emojis. Besides, in the editor, you can create stories, advertising posts and publish them through the autoposting service — both immediately and in the form of a delayed publication at any suitable time for your goals.
PhotoScape
PhotoScape is a free photo editor for computers or laptops with the Windows operating system. It allows you to edit and enhance images: change the size of a photo, its brightness, contrast, use brushes, balloons, create animated GIFs, save images in JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF formats — and much more.
Snapshot editor PhotoScape.
Snapseed
Snapseed is a photo editor for Android and iOS, allowing processing images directly on the phone. With its help, you can change the size of the image and crop it, cut the image to scale and rotate it, add text, change brightness and contrast, light balance, and highlights, apply masks. Additionally, you can use pre-made filters.
Canva
An online platform that allows editing images both manually and using ready-made templates.
Briefly about sizes
VKontakte
Avatar — 200x200 px.
Community cover — 1920x768 px.
Images for a post — from 1x1, optimal — 1920x1280 px.
Images for Stories — 1080x1920 px.
Covers:
- community — from 1920x768 px;
- live — 1080x1920 px;
- articles — 510x286 px;
- catalogs — 1280x720 px.
Instagram*
Avatar — 320x320 px.
Highlight icon — 150x150 px.
Images for a post — 1080x1080, 1080x1350, 1080x600 px.
Image for Stories — 1080x1920 px.
Image for targeted ads:
- in feed — scale 1:1, from 1080x1080
- in explore and stories — scale 9:16, from 1080x1080
Odnoklassniki
Avatar:
- personal — 400x400 px;
- community — 1680x1680 px.
Community cover — 1944x600 px.
Images for a post — 900x600 px.
Image size for Moments — 1080x1920 px.
Facebook*
Avatar — 128x128, 170x170 px.
Community cover — 820x312.
Images for a post — 1200x630 px.
Images for Moments — 1080x1920 px.
- Meta Platforms Inc, which social networks like Facebook, Instagram belong to, is recognized as extremist. The company's activities are prohibited in Russia.
