X (Twitter) · Image sizes
Match the X surface: header, timeline, card, or avatar
The profile header is a wide 3:1 strip. Timeline photos prefer clean 16:9. Link cards use ~800×418. The avatar is a small circle. Crop each one on purpose.
Sizes on X (Twitter)
Open a guide for exact pixels, safe zones, and an in-browser crop for that surface.
Header banner
1500 × 500
3:1 profile header—quiet lower-left for the avatar, calm side edges for mobile.
Post image
1600 × 900
16:9 timeline photos with margin for multi-image layouts.
Link card
800 × 418
Shared URL / summary card—~1.91:1, not a header or post export.
Profile picture
800 × 800
Circular avatar that also overlaps the header—center the face.
Four files people mix up on X
Header banners fail when branding sits under the avatar or only on the far edges phones trim. Timeline posts fail when a 3:1 banner or a square logo is forced into a 16:9 card. Link-preview cards fail when you paste a banner or a tall Story into the ~1.91:1 slot. Avatars fail when a group shot leaves your face in a corner the circle removes.
Facebook covers and LinkedIn banners are different ratios. Stretching them into 1500×500 warps faces and pushes type into the avatar pocket. Open Graph art is yet another job—see the link card guide for shared URLs.
Open the guide for the surface you are editing. Each page has pixels, a checklist, and a browser crop with the relevant safe zone.
Quick picks
Match the task to the guide so you do not export the wrong ratio.
- Redesigning the strip behind your name → Header banner; keep the avatar pocket empty of logos.
- Attaching a photo to a post → Post image at 16:9; do not reuse the banner export.
- Shared link preview art → Link card at 800×418; not a timeline photo crop.
- Only updating the circle in replies → Profile picture; prefer a clear square upload.
- Coming from LinkedIn or Facebook → Re-crop; do not stretch those covers to 3:1.
Frequently asked questions
What is the X (Twitter) banner size?
1500×500 pixels (3:1). Leave the lower-left clear for your profile photo and keep critical type off the far edges.
What size are X post images?
1600×900 (16:9) is a strong default for single-image posts. Multi-image layouts can crop cells more tightly—center what matters.
What size is an X link card?
About 800×418 (~1.91:1) for summary/player cards on shared URLs. Do not reuse the 1500×500 header or a tall Story still.
Can I use a Facebook cover as my X header?
Not without a fresh crop. Facebook’s cover ratio is wider relative to height in a different way; stretching it looks wrong under the X avatar.
What size should my X profile picture be?
Upload a square—800×800 when you can. X displays it as a circle on the profile and in the timeline.