X (Twitter) Image Size Guide 2026

Complete X (formerly Twitter) image size specifications for 2026. Get the exact dimensions for profile pictures, header images, posts, Twitter Cards, and video uploads to ensure maximum quality and engagement.

Quick Reference

Type Dimensions Aspect Ratio Max File Size Format
Profile Picture 400×400 px 1:1 2 MB JPG, PNG, GIF
Header Image 1500×500 px 3:1 5 MB JPG, PNG, GIF
Post Image (Single) 1200×675 px 16:9 5 MB (mobile), 15 MB (web) JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP
Square Post 800×800 px 1:1 5 MB (mobile), 15 MB (web) JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP
Twitter Card 1200×628 px 1.91:1 5 MB JPG, PNG, WebP
Video 1920×1080 px (max) 16:9, 1:1, 9:16 512 MB (mobile), 2 GB (web) MP4, MOV

Profile & Branding Specifications

Profile Picture

Recommended Size: 400×400 pixels
Minimum Size: 200×200 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square)
Max File Size: 2 MB
Format: JPG, PNG, GIF (static)
Display Shape: Circular crop
Pro Tip: Upload at least 400×400 pixels for crisp display across all devices. Profile pictures display as circles, so keep your logo or face centered to avoid cropping important elements.

Header Image (Banner)

Recommended Size: 1500×500 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 3:1
Max File Size: 5 MB
Format: JPG, PNG, GIF (static)
Profile Picture Overlap: Bottom-left corner
Pro Tip: Your profile picture overlaps the bottom-left corner of the header on desktop. Avoid placing important content there. Test how it looks on both mobile and desktop before publishing.

Post Image Specifications

Single Image Post

Recommended (Landscape): 1200×675 pixels (16:9)
Alternative (Square): 800×800 pixels (1:1)
High Resolution: 1600×900 pixels (16:9)
Max File Size: 5 MB (mobile), 15 MB (web)
Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP
Supported Ratios: 1:1, 16:9, 4:3, 2:3
Pro Tip: 16:9 landscape (1200×675) and 1:1 square (800×800) formats perform best on X. Avoid tall portraits (taller than 2:3)—they get heavily cropped in the feed.

Multi-Image Posts

2 Images: 7:8 ratio each (side-by-side)
3 Images: 1 large (left) + 2 stacked (right)
4 Images: 2×2 grid, 2:1 ratio each
Recommended Size: 1200×675 pixels per image
Max Images: 4 images per post
Pro Tip: X automatically crops multi-image posts to fit the grid layout. Use consistent aspect ratios across all images for a cleaner appearance. Images are automatically optimized by X.

GIF Posts

Recommended Size: 1200×675 pixels (16:9)
Max File Size: 5 MB (mobile), 15 MB (web)
Max Frames: 350 frames
Format: GIF (animated)
Note: Only 1 GIF per post
Pro Tip: Keep GIFs under 5 MB for mobile compatibility. X supports GIPHY integration—use the GIF button to search and insert GIFs directly without file size concerns.

Twitter Cards (Link Previews)

Summary Card with Large Image

Recommended Size: 1200×628 pixels
Minimum Size: 300×157 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 1.91:1
Max File Size: 5 MB
Format: JPG, PNG, WebP
Pro Tip: Twitter Cards are automatically generated when you share a link with Open Graph meta tags. Use 1200×628 px for optimal display. Add twitter:card, twitter:title, and twitter:image meta tags to your website.

Summary Card (Small Image)

Recommended Size: 120×120 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square)
Max File Size: 1 MB
Format: JPG, PNG, WebP
Use Case: Article links, blog posts
Note: Summary cards show a small square thumbnail next to the title and description. Best for articles and blog posts where the text is more important than the image.

Video Specifications

Video Upload Requirements

Specification Requirement
Max Resolution 1920×1080 pixels (1080p)
Minimum Resolution 32×32 pixels
Aspect Ratios 16:9 (landscape), 1:1 (square), 9:16 (vertical)
Max File Size 512 MB (mobile), 2 GB (web)
Max Duration 2 minutes 20 seconds (standard), 10 minutes (X Premium)
Frame Rate 30 FPS or 60 FPS
Video Codec H.264 (recommended), H.265 (HEVC)
Audio Codec AAC
Format MP4, MOV
Bitrate 5-10 Mbps (1080p)

Video Best Practices

  • Landscape (16:9): 1280×720 or 1920×1080 — best for traditional video content
  • Square (1:1): 720×720 or 1080×1080 — performs well in feed, mobile-friendly
  • Vertical (9:16): 1080×1920 — ideal for mobile-first content, full-screen viewing
  • Captions recommended: 85% of videos are watched without sound on X
  • First 3 seconds critical: Hook viewers immediately to prevent scrolling
X Premium Benefits: X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue) subscribers can upload videos up to 10 minutes long and up to 2 GB in size. Standard users are limited to 2:20 minutes and 512 MB (mobile).

Ad Image Specifications

Image Ads (Promoted Posts)

Ad Type Dimensions Aspect Ratio File Size
Single Image Ad (Landscape) 800×418 px 1.91:1 3 MB
Single Image Ad (Square) 800×800 px 1:1 3 MB
Website Card 800×418 px 1.91:1 3 MB
App Card 800×800 px 1:1 3 MB
Carousel Ad (Each Image) 800×800 px 1:1 3 MB each

Video Ads

  • Recommended Resolution: 1920×1080 (16:9) or 1080×1080 (1:1)
  • Max Duration: 2:20 (organic), 10 minutes (ads with approval)
  • Max File Size: 1 GB
  • Aspect Ratios: 16:9, 1:1, 9:16
Ad Performance Tip: Square (1:1) image ads tend to perform better on mobile devices. Use clear, bold text (minimum 20% of image) and strong call-to-action. Test both landscape and square formats to see what resonates with your audience.

Header Image Safe Zones

Profile Picture Overlap

The profile picture overlaps the header image on desktop. Here's how to design around it:

  • Header Size: 1500×500 pixels (3:1 ratio)
  • Profile Picture Overlap (Desktop): ~300×300 px area in bottom-left corner
  • Safe Zone: Avoid placing important content in the bottom-left 400×300 px area
  • Mobile Display: Full header visible without profile overlap

Design Strategy

  • Left Side: Leave bottom-left area clear or use decorative elements only
  • Right Side: Place your logo, tagline, or key visuals on the right side
  • Center/Top: Safe for important text and graphics
  • Test Both Views: Preview on desktop and mobile before publishing
Template Tip: Create a 1500×500 px template with a guide layer showing the profile picture overlap zone (300×300 px circle in bottom-left). This ensures your header looks great on all devices.

Image Optimization Best Practices

File Format Selection

  • JPG: Best for photographs and complex images with gradients. Use 80-90% quality for optimal balance.
  • PNG: Best for graphics, logos, and images with text. Supports transparency but larger file sizes.
  • WebP: Modern format with better compression than JPG/PNG. Supported by X, but use JPG as fallback.
  • GIF: For animations only. Keep under 5 MB for mobile compatibility.

Compression Guidelines

  • Target File Size: Aim for under 1 MB for faster loading
  • Quality Settings: 80-85% quality for JPGs maintains visual quality while reducing file size
  • Avoid Over-Compression: X re-compresses images, so don't compress too heavily before upload
  • Test on Mobile: Most X users are on mobile—ensure images look good on small screens

Design Considerations

  • High Contrast: Use bold, contrasting colors for text overlays
  • Readable Text: Minimum 30px font size for text on images
  • Visual Hierarchy: One clear focal point per image
  • Brand Consistency: Use consistent colors, fonts, and styles across all posts
  • Mobile-First: Design for mobile screens (most X usage is mobile)

Common X (Twitter) Image Mistakes

Profile & Header Errors

  • Low-resolution profile pictures: Uploading below 400×400 results in blurry images
  • Important content in bottom-left of header: Gets covered by profile picture on desktop
  • Wrong header aspect ratio: Using non-3:1 images causes stretching or cropping

Post Image Errors

  • Tall portrait images: Images taller than 2:3 get severely cropped in the feed
  • Inconsistent multi-image sizes: Mixing aspect ratios in multi-image posts looks messy
  • File too large: Files over 5 MB (mobile) or 15 MB (web) fail to upload
  • Text too small: Unreadable on mobile devices (70%+ of users)

Video Errors

  • Video too long: Standard users limited to 2:20 (not 10 minutes)
  • No captions: 85% watch without sound—captions are essential
  • Wrong aspect ratio: Using 16:9 when 1:1 or 9:16 would perform better on mobile

Related Resources