If you want your images to look polished in the feed — not oddly cropped or distorted — nailing the correct dimensions from the beginning makes a big difference. The challenge is that every social network has its own preferred sizes, plus multiple image formats to keep track of.That’s where this guide helps. Keep it nearby so you don’t have to memorize a bunch of specific dimensions — or search “best image size for [insert platform here]” every time you post.In this article, you’ll see the recommended social media image sizes for nine major platforms, with an emphasis on images in your posts, cover/header images, and profile photos.Quick overview: universal image guidelinesSquare posts: 1080 x 1080 pixels is the go-to size for Facebook, Instagram, and X.Vertical formats: Use 1080 x 1920 pixels for Stories, Reels, and TikTok videos.Profile photos: Choose at least 400 x 400 pixels so your avatar looks crisp on all screens.Link previews: 1200 x 630 pixels tends to perform best on most platforms (Facebook, X, LinkedIn).Aspect ratios: For broad compatibility, stick with 1:1 (square), 9:16 (vertical), and 16:9 (horizontal).Social media image size fundamentalsYou’ll see two key terms throughout this post — aspect ratio and pixels.Aspect ratio (width: height): How the width and height of an image relate to each other.1:1: Square (e.g., Instagram grid)9:16: Vertical (e.g., TikTok, Stories)16:9: Horizontal (e.g., YouTube, X headers)Pixels (width x height): The measurement unit for image resolution. More pixels (for example, 1080 x 1350) mean a sharper, more detailed image. As a general guideline…