Image sizes for Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and TikTok
Every platform displays images at a different aspect ratio. Post the wrong size and the platform may crop important parts or add empty bars around your photo. This table sums up the sizes used most often.
| Use | Ratio | Recommended size |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram square post | 1:1 | 1080 × 1080 |
| Instagram portrait post | 4:5 | 1080 × 1350 |
| Stories, Reels, TikTok, Shorts | 9:16 | 1080 × 1920 |
| YouTube thumbnail | 16:9 | 1280 × 720 |
| Facebook and X landscape post | 16:9 | 1600 × 900 |
| Portfolio or personal site | 3:2 | 2400 × 1600 |
Platforms change their layouts from time to time, so check the platform's own guidelines when in doubt. The ratios above are the most stable.
Why 4:5 beats square on Instagram
A 4:5 portrait image takes up more of the screen while scrolling, so it catches more attention than a square one. That is why most photographers prefer it for portrait posts.
Mind the Stories “safe zone”
In Stories and Reels the app's interface (name, buttons, caption) covers the top and bottom of the image. Keep faces and text near the middle and stay about 250 px away from the top and bottom edges.
YouTube thumbnails
Thumbnails are often shown very small in search results and on phones. Use a clear face, a few large words and strong contrast. YouTube requires the file to be under 2 MB, so compress the image after cropping if needed.
How to crop to the right size in Cyanframe
- Open the crop for platforms tool and choose one or more images.
- Pick a size from the list (for example Instagram portrait 4:5).
- Click “Start processing”. The crop is taken from the center so the image fills the whole frame with no empty bars.
Tip: if your subject sits at the edge of the frame rather than the center, leave extra space around it when shooting, or crop it manually first.