Did you create a Facebook account for your business? Or are you an old-timer and you wish to update a new profile picture? Though uploading a profile picture is as easy as 1-2-3, there is a way to ensure that your photo comes in optimal size.
Your Facebook profile picture is like your physical representation in the virtual world. It is also your way of creating a first impression.
This is crucial especially if you are job hunting. Studies reveal that your Facebook profile photo affects the decisions and responses of prospective employers.
Thus, you need to make the most of the available space but in the right way. But how do you do it? How do you optimize your social media profile images? What are the correct dimensions to follow?
Check out our comprehensive guide on using the correct picture sizes for your Facebook and other social media accounts.
Sizing: Why Does It Matter?
Apart from the clarity of your Facebook profile picture, its size also matters. Having a profile photo that is too big or too small can affect you in different ways.
Together with proper lighting, focus, and angle, the size of your picture is one of the four key factors behind a great profile picture. Whenever users look at your posts, they will see your profile picture on the side. By using the right dimensions, people can easily recognize your face or logo.
This helps in building your brand.
Do you want to post a picture of you during one of your trips to a historical landmark? It will work to your disadvantage if you’re not even as big as a quarter of the image’s total size.
Since you are too small in the picture, people will barely recognize you. They will have a hard time seeing your face. This is disadvantageous for prospective employers and business partners.
Your Facebook Profile Picture: Getting the Dimensions Right
Now let us discuss the dimensions of an optimized Facebook profile photo. There are guidelines that you need to consider before posting that profile picture. There are also reasons why you need to follow the right pixels.
Make sure that your picture is at least 180 x 180 pixels. Having a height that is below 180 pixels will affect your photo’s clarity. When you post your profile picture, it will appear on your profile page at 170 x 170 pixels.
As a thumbnail, it will appear at 32 x 32 pixels. When users see your photo on their smartphones, it will appear in 128 x 128 pixels.
Thankfully, you don’t need to go through major adjustments if you’re putting up a Facebook business page. This is because Facebook now uses the same rules for personal and business accounts when it comes to the dimensions of the pictures.
Additionally, you need to upload a picture that has a 1:1 aspect ratio.
Your Cover Page
Apart from your profile picture, you also need to upload a cover image. For this one, the size must be 820 x 312 pixels. If you go anywhere below, it will only stretch your image, which is something you want to avoid.
But if you have no choice, the minimum size is 400 x 150 pixels.
Your cover image will appear at 640 x 360 pixels on smartphones. And if you wish to upload your company logo that comes with text, it is best to upload it as a PNG file.
The good thing about PNG files is that you can open them on practically any kind of smartphone or computer. This means better accessibility in case you need to share the file with anyone.
And in case you wish to convert your Doc files to PNG, simply follow this guide.
How About Twitter?
If you’re also into Twitter and you wish to optimize your profile, upload a profile picture that is 400 x 400 pixels. Moreover, your maximum file size must only be 100 KB. This will appear at 200 x 200 pixels.
As for your header photo, the size must be 1500 x 500 pixels with a maximum file size of 10 MB. Before uploading any header photo, make sure it is creative and eye-catching. Also, it must be high-resolution.
If you’re using Twitter for your business, make sure your header photo is in line with your tagline, logo, and branding.
Lastly, upload a 440 x 220-pixel In-stream photo. Make sure not to go beyond 5 MB in size. If you wish to post an animated GIF, the maximum file size is 3 MB.
Your Instagram Too
Your Instagram profile photo need not be big. A clear photo that is 110 x 110 pixels will do. But make sure to maintain a 1:1 aspect ratio.
When it comes to your photo thumbnails, stick to 161 x 161 pixels. Like your profile picture, keep the aspect ratio at 1:1.
When it comes to your Instagram Stories, you can post videos with a maximum length of 10 seconds. As for the video size, it must be 750 x 1334 pixels.
Don’t Forget YouTube
If you have a YouTube channel, take note that your channel’s cover picture comes in different sizes depending on the platform. Thus, you need to optimize your photos for each platform.
For mobile display, your photo will appear at 1546 x 423 pixels. For TV display, 2560 x 1440 pixels. For tablets, 1885 x 423 pixels.
When it comes to desktops, 2560 x 423 pixels. Choose a cover picture that gives your viewers an idea of what to expect from your channel.
For your channel’s profile pic, go for 800 x 800 pixels.
Convert Your Files the Right Way!
Uploading a Facebook profile picture in the proper size is essential in optimizing your account. It helps you connect better with users and strengthens your brand. But sometimes, you may need to convert your images to a different format to improve their quality.
Check out our tools and convert images and documents to different file formats. Don’t know where to begin? Read our other guides right here, like this one discussing how to convert HTML to JPG!