Social Media
What aspect ratio should I use for Instagram, YouTube, or social media?
Each social media platform has optimal aspect ratios for maximum engagement and visual impact. Here's a comprehensive guide for all major platforms:
Quick Reference Chart:
| Platform | Format | Aspect Ratio | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Feed | Photo/Video | 4:5 | 1080×1350 |
| Instagram Stories/Reels | Video | 9:16 | 1080×1920 |
| YouTube | Video | 16:9 | 1920×1080+ |
| YouTube Shorts | Video | 9:16 | 1080×1920 |
| TikTok | Video | 9:16 | 1080×1920 |
| Facebook Feed | Photo/Video | 4:5 or 1:1 | 1080×1350 |
| Twitter/X | Image | 16:9 | 1200×675 |
| Image | 1.91:1 | 1200×627 |
Instagram - Detailed Guide
Feed Posts (Photos & Videos):
Best ratio: 4:5 (portrait)
- Resolution: 1080×1350 pixels
- Takes up most screen space
- Higher engagement than square
Alternative: 1:1 (square)
- Resolution: 1080×1080 pixels
- Classic Instagram format
- Still performs well
Landscape: 1.91:1
- Resolution: 1080×566 pixels
- Less screen real estate
- Use only when necessary
Instagram Stories & Reels:
Required ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
- Resolution: 1080×1920 pixels
- Full-screen experience
- Keep text in safe zones (middle 80%)
Instagram Carousels:
Best ratio: 4:5 or 1:1
- Keep consistent across slides
- All images same dimensions
- First image most important
YouTube - Detailed Guide
Standard Videos:
Required ratio: 16:9
- 1080p: 1920×1080
- 1440p: 2560×1440
- 4K: 3840×2160
Important notes:
- Upload highest resolution possible
- Non-16:9 gets pillarboxed/letterboxed
- Thumbnails: 1280×720 (16:9)
YouTube Shorts:
Required ratio: 9:16
- Resolution: 1080×1920
- 60 seconds maximum
- Vertical-only format
YouTube Thumbnails:
Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 1280×720 minimum
- 2MB maximum file size
- High contrast for visibility
TikTok - Detailed Guide
All Content:
Required ratio: 9:16
- Resolution: 1080×1920
- Full-screen vertical only
- Other ratios get cropped
Safe zones:
- Keep important content in center
- Avoid top 150px (username area)
- Avoid bottom 270px (caption/buttons)
Facebook - Detailed Guide
Feed Posts:
Best ratio: 4:5 (portrait)
- Resolution: 1080×1350
- Mobile-optimized
Alternative: 1:1 (square)
- Resolution: 1080×1080
- Works well on all devices
Facebook Stories:
Required ratio: 9:16
- Resolution: 1080×1920
- Same as Instagram Stories
Facebook Cover Photo:
Ratio: 2.7:1
- Desktop: 820×312
- Mobile displays differently
- Keep text centered
Facebook Ads:
Best ratio: 1:1 (square)
- Works across placements
- Good engagement rates
Twitter/X - Detailed Guide
Image Posts:
Best ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 1200×675
- Shows fully in timeline
Alternative: 1:1
- Resolution: 1200×1200
- Good for quotes/graphics
Multiple images:
- 2 images: 7:8 each
- 3 images: Mix of ratios
- 4 images: 2:1 overall
Twitter/X Header:
Ratio: 3:1
- Resolution: 1500×500
- Keep text away from edges
LinkedIn - Detailed Guide
Feed Posts:
Best ratio: 1.91:1
- Resolution: 1200×627
- Landscape preferred
Alternative: 1:1
- Resolution: 1200×1200
- Good engagement
LinkedIn Articles:
Cover image: 1.91:1
- Resolution: 1200×627
- Professional look
Company Page Banner:
Ratio: 4:1
- Resolution: 1128×191
Pinterest - Detailed Guide
Standard Pins:
Best ratio: 2:3 (vertical)
- Resolution: 1000×1500
- Taller performs better
Idea Pins:
Ratio: 9:16
- Resolution: 1080×1920
- Full-screen format
Snapchat - Detailed Guide
All Content:
Required ratio: 9:16
- Resolution: 1080×1920
- Vertical only
- Same as TikTok/Reels
Platform Comparison by Content Type:
Short-Form Vertical Video:
- TikTok: 9:16 (1080×1920)
- Instagram Reels: 9:16 (1080×1920)
- YouTube Shorts: 9:16 (1080×1920)
- Snapchat: 9:16 (1080×1920)
Long-Form Video:
- YouTube: 16:9 (1920×1080+)
- Facebook Watch: 16:9 (1920×1080)
- LinkedIn: 16:9 (1920×1080)
Feed Photos:
- Instagram: 4:5 (1080×1350)
- Facebook: 4:5 (1080×1350)
- Twitter: 16:9 (1200×675)
- LinkedIn: 1.91:1 (1200×627)
- Pinterest: 2:3 (1000×1500)
Best Practices for All Platforms:
1. Create Once, Adapt Many
- Shoot in highest resolution
- Leave room for cropping
- Export multiple versions
2. Mobile-First Design
- 80%+ users on mobile
- Vertical outperforms horizontal
- Large text for readability
3. Safe Zones
- Keep important content centered
- Account for UI overlays
- Test on actual devices
4. Consistency Matters
- Use same ratio for series
- Brand recognition builds
- Easier to repurpose
Resolution Best Practices:
Minimum resolutions:
- Instagram: 1080px wide
- YouTube: 1920×1080
- TikTok: 1080×1920
- Facebook: 1080px wide
Recommended resolutions:
- Always use highest available
- 4K when possible
- Platforms compress automatically
Creating Content for Multiple Platforms:
Strategy 1: Shoot Wide, Crop Down
- Record in 16:9 at 4K
- Crop to 9:16 for vertical platforms
- Crop to 1:1 for square needs
Strategy 2: Shoot Vertical, Add Sides
- Record in 9:16
- Add blur/content for 16:9
- Crop center for 1:1
Strategy 3: Simultaneous Recording
- Use multi-camera setup
- One vertical, one horizontal
- Most flexibility
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Wrong ratio for platform - Gets cropped awkwardly
- Low resolution - Looks blurry after compression
- Important content at edges - Gets cut off by UI
- Inconsistent ratios in carousels - Looks unprofessional
- Ignoring safe zones - Text hidden by buttons
Tools for Social Media Ratios:
- Our aspect ratio calculator - Find exact dimensions
- Canva - Platform-specific templates
- Adobe Express - Quick resizing
- Kapwing - Video reformatting
Use our calculator to find the perfect dimensions for any social media platform—enter your target ratio and get exact pixel values instantly!
Related Resources
Ready to Calculate Aspect Ratios?
Use our free aspect ratio calculator to find the perfect dimensions for your project.
Try the Calculator