A Simple Guide to Social Media Formats

Social media platforms are all about visuals—photos, videos, and stories. But each platform has its own rules for sizes and shapes, called aspect ratios. Using the right format makes your content look great and fit perfectly. In this guide, we’ll break down the best formats for popular platforms so you can post like a pro.

Why Formats Matter

Aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and height of your image or video. For example, 1:1 means a square (same width and height), while 16:9 is a wide rectangle. If you use the wrong ratio, your content might get cropped, stretched, or look awkward. Let’s get it right!

Instagram

• Feed Posts: 1:1 (square) is the classic choice. You can also use 4:5 (portrait) or 16:9 (landscape), but edges might get cut off. Size: 1080 x 1080 pixels for squares.
• Stories & Reels: 9:16 (tall and vertical). This fills the whole screen. Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
• IGTV: Still 9:16 for vertical videos, but 16:9 works for horizontal if you prefer.

Tip: Vertical content (9:16) rules on Instagram because it’s made for phones.

YouTube

• Videos: 16:9 (widescreen) is the standard. Think TV or movie format. Size: 1920 x 1080 pixels (HD) or higher like 4K (3840 x 2160).
• Thumbnails: 16:9 too, but keep text in the center to avoid cropping. Size: 1280 x 720 pixels.

Tip: Always upload in high quality—YouTube loves sharp videos.

TikTok

• Videos: 9:16 (vertical). It’s all about full-screen, phone-friendly content. Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
• Ads: Same 9:16 ratio works best.

Tip: Keep it fast and fun—TikTok users scroll quickly!

Facebook

• Feed Posts: 1:1 (square) or 4:5 (portrait) for photos. Videos can be 16:9 or 9:16. Size: 1080 x 1080 pixels for squares.
• Stories: 9:16 (vertical). Size: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
• Cover Photo: 16:9, but it crops differently on mobile vs. desktop. Size: 820 x 312 pixels.

Tip: Test how your post looks on both mobile and desktop.

Twitter (X)

• Images: 16:9 (landscape) is ideal for single photos. Size: 1200 x 675 pixels. You can also use 1:1 (1080 x 1080).
• Videos: 16:9 for landscape or 1:1 for square. Size: 1280 x 720 pixels minimum.

Tip: Tweets with visuals get more attention—use the right size to stand out.

Pinterest

• Pins: 2:3 (tall and narrow). This vertical format grabs attention as users scroll. Size: 1000 x 1500 pixels.

Tip: Long, vertical pins perform best on Pinterest.

Quick Cheat Sheet

• Square (1:1): Instagram feed, Twitter, Facebook.
• Vertical (9:16 or 4:5): Stories, Reels, TikTok, Pinterest.
• Widescreen (16:9): YouTube, Twitter, Facebook videos.

How to Fix Your Formats

Not sure if your image or video fits? Use an online tool like Aspect Ratio Tool to resize or check your content. It’s fast and keeps your quality high.

Final Thoughts

Getting the format right saves time and makes your posts look polished. Stick to these ratios, and your content will shine on every platform. Ready to create? Pick your platform, match the size, and share away!