How-to guide
How to Resize Images for Social Media — Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok
To resize an image for social media, upload it to Pictuary's Social Media tool at pictuary.com/crop, select the platform preset — Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok — and download the correctly cropped file. The tool applies a center crop to the exact pixel dimensions each platform requires, with no account needed and EXIF data removed automatically.
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Why platform dimensions matter
Every social media platform renders images in a fixed display container. Upload an image at the wrong dimensions and the platform either crops it automatically — cutting out content you didn't choose to remove — or stretches it to fill the space, causing visible blur and distortion. Getting the dimensions right before uploading means the image appears exactly as you intended.
The three most-searched platforms in 2026 each have distinct requirements:
Instagram uses portrait as its primary feed format. A 4:5 ratio (1080×1350 px) now receives greater algorithmic reach than a square post because it occupies more vertical screen space. For Stories and Reels, the full-screen 9:16 format (1080×1920 px) is the standard.
LinkedIn uses square for standard feed posts (1200×1200 px). Landscape (1200×628 px) is also accepted but square performs better for engagement in 2026 feed data.
TikTok is a vertical-first platform. All content — photos, carousels, and videos — performs best at 9:16 (1080×1920 px). Using any other ratio risks platform-applied cropping on the top or bottom of the image.
Instagram portrait 4:5 vs square — what Meta changed in 2026
Before 2026, square (1:1) was the default Instagram feed format recommended by most guides. Meta's 2026 algorithm update changed this. Portrait 4:5 images now receive preferential feed distribution because they occupy more of the user's screen before a scroll event, which increases watch time and interaction probability. The technical reason: a 4:5 image at 1080×1350 displays at approximately 88% of the vertical viewport on a standard phone, compared with 66% for a 1:1 square. That difference in visibility translates directly into higher algorithmic reach.
The practical implication: if you have been resizing images to 1080×1080 for Instagram, switch to 1080×1350 for new posts. Stories and Reels remain at 1080×1920 — that has not changed.
Platform preset reference
The Pictuary Social Media tool pre-fills these aspect ratios automatically. The crop preview shows exactly which part of the image will be kept.
| Platform | Format | Pixel dimensions | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Feed | Portrait | 1080 × 1350 px | 4:5 |
| Instagram Stories / Reels | Vertical | 1080 × 1920 px | 9:16 |
| LinkedIn Feed | Square | 1200 × 1200 px | 1:1 |
| TikTok | Vertical | 1080 × 1920 px | 9:16 |
The tool uses a center crop by default — the center of the image is the center of the output. If the key subject is off-center in your source image, review the preview before downloading.
Correct dimensions for 2026 — verified
The table below reflects verified platform specifications as of May 2026. Sources: Meta Business Help Center, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, TikTok Business Center.
| Platform | Surface | Recommended size | Max file size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed — Portrait | 1080 × 1350 px | 30 MB | Highest reach in 2026 | |
| Feed — Square | 1080 × 1080 px | 30 MB | Supported, lower reach | |
| Stories / Reels | 1080 × 1920 px | 30 MB | Full-screen vertical | |
| Feed post | 1200 × 1200 px | 5 MB | Square preferred | |
| Feed post landscape | 1200 × 628 px | 5 MB | Alternative accepted | |
| TikTok | Photos and carousels | 1080 × 1920 px | 20 MB | Vertical only |
| TikTok | Profile photo | 400 × 400 px | 5 MB | Displayed at smaller sizes |
For a complete reference across all platforms — including Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, X/Twitter, and Threads — see the full social media image sizes guide.
Safe zones — keeping content visible under platform UI
Every platform overlays its own user interface — like buttons, caption bars, and profile icons — directly on top of the image frame. The area that stays fully visible beneath all UI elements is called the safe zone. For 9:16 vertical content (TikTok, Instagram Stories/Reels), keep key text, logos, and faces within the central 70–80% of the frame. On a 1080×1920 canvas, the universal safe zone that clears all platform UI across all devices is approximately 900×1400 px, centered. Sizing to the correct pixel dimensions before uploading is the first step; placing important content within the safe zone is the second.
One image for multiple platforms — the correct workflow
No single image fits all platforms without adjustment. The correct workflow is:
- Start with the highest-resolution version of your image available.
- Use Pictuary's Social Media tool to create a separate export for each platform.
- Download each crop as a separate file before uploading to each platform.
Attempting to use a single square crop on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok simultaneously means at least one platform will apply its own crop — and that crop will not be centered on what matters in your image.
Why platform re-encoding makes correct source dimensions even more important
Every major social platform runs a double compression pass when you upload. Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok all re-encode images regardless of the file you provide. If you upload an already-small or heavily compressed image, the platform's second compression pass compounds the quality loss. The correct approach is to upload at the precise pixel dimensions the platform expects, at quality 85 or higher, and let the platform's single pass handle final delivery. Pictuary's Social Media tool outputs at quality 85 by default — calibrated for this exact reason.
Step by step
Upload your image
Go to pictuary.com/crop and click the upload area, or drag your image directly onto the page. Pictuary accepts JPEG, PNG, WebP, and HEIC files. No account is required.
Select the Social Media preset
After uploading, select the Social Media tool. A platform menu appears with preset crop dimensions for the most common formats.
Choose your target platform
Select your platform from the menu. Pictuary pre-fills the correct pixel dimensions: Instagram Feed Portrait — 1080×1350 px (4:5 aspect ratio); Instagram Stories / Reels — 1080×1920 px (9:16 aspect ratio); LinkedIn Feed — 1200×1200 px (1:1 aspect ratio); TikTok — 1080×1920 px (9:16 aspect ratio). The tool uses a center crop, so review the preview and confirm the key content is centered before proceeding.
Aspect ratio — The proportional relationship between an image's width and height, expressed as width:height. Common ratios are 1:1 (square), 4:5 (portrait), and 9:16 (vertical). See full definition →Download your resized image
Click Download. Your image is delivered at the exact pixel dimensions required, with EXIF data removed. Files are deleted from Pictuary's servers within 15 minutes.