X (formerly Twitter) applies heavy compression to uploaded images. Getting the dimensions right before uploading prevents blurry posts and ensures your profile looks sharp across all devices.
X (Twitter) image sizes — complete reference
| Placement | Recommended size | Aspect ratio | Max file size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile picture | 400 × 400 px | 1:1 | 2 MB |
| Header image (banner) | 1500 × 500 px | 3:1 | 5 MB |
| Post image (single, 16:9) | 1200 × 675 px | 16:9 | 5 MB |
| Post image (square) | 1080 × 1080 px | 1:1 | 5 MB |
| Post image (portrait) | 1080 × 1350 px | 4:5 | 5 MB |
| Link card image | 800 × 418 px | 1.91:1 | 5 MB |
How X handles image compression
X (Twitter) aggressively compresses images to reduce bandwidth. Uploading at a larger resolution than necessary gives the algorithm more to compress, which can produce worse results. Uploading at exactly the right dimensions gives X less reason to scale and recompress.
X also crops images in the feed preview to a 16:9 ratio when displaying single images. The full image is shown when clicked. If your image is portrait or square, X will show a cropped preview — keep the key subject in the centre of the frame.
Header (banner) safe zones
The header image is displayed at 1500 × 500 px, but the bottom ~60 px overlaps with the profile picture on desktop. On mobile, the banner is shown at a narrower width and the profile picture covers a larger portion of the bottom left. Keep important content in the upper-centre area.
Resize your image for X (Twitter) now
Supported formats: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP
Tips for sharp images on X
- Use PNG for graphics with text — X's JPEG compression blurs text in images. PNG preserves sharpness for graphics, infographics, and screenshots.
- Use JPG for photos at 90%+ quality — after X's re-compression, starting at 90% leaves enough headroom for the result to still look clean.
- Upload at exactly the right size — don't upload a 4000 × 3000 px image when the display size is 1200 × 675 px. Resize first to avoid compounding compression.
- Avoid pure-white or pure-black backgrounds — X's dark mode and light mode can make edges on these backgrounds look odd.
- Keep key content centred — feed previews crop to 16:9 regardless of original ratio. Faces, logos, and text should be in the central 70% of the image.
FAQ: X (Twitter) image sizes
What is the best image size for a Twitter / X post?
For a single post image, 1200 × 675 px (16:9 ratio) is the most common choice and displays well without any cropping in the feed. Square images (1080 × 1080 px) also work well and take up more vertical space on mobile.
What size should the Twitter / X header image be?
Upload at 1500 × 500 px (3:1 ratio). Keep important content away from the bottom-left area, which overlaps with the profile picture on both desktop and mobile.
Why do my images look blurry on Twitter / X?
X applies its own compression to all uploads. To minimise this: resize to exact recommended dimensions before uploading, use JPG at 90%+ quality for photos, and use PNG for graphics with text. Uploading an oversized image gives X more material to compress.
Does X support PNG?
Yes. PNG is accepted and is the recommended format for graphics, infographics, and screenshots where text sharpness matters. For photos, JPG is preferred as it produces smaller files. X has a 5 MB file size limit for images.