The Best Aspect Ratios for Social Media in 2025

Social media platforms employ various strategies to optimize content display across diverse devices and screen sizes, which can sometimes lead to text being cropped or images appearing blurry. To ensure your content is always seen as intended and to leverage the best visual performance, understanding and applying the correct aspect ratios and safe zones is crucial.

Below is a breakdown of optimal aspect ratios and safe zone considerations for major social media platforms in 2025, based on information from the Media Cheat Sheet:

To prevent text or critical visual elements from being cropped, it’s essential to design within the recommended “safe zones.” These are areas guaranteed to be visible, avoiding overlaying UI elements (like profile pictures, buttons, or captions) or automatic cropping by the platform.

While specific pixel values for safe zones are often implied by recommended dimensions and typical UI placement, the general rule is to leave a comfortable margin around all four sides of your content, especially for text overlays.

Instagram Stories & Reels (9:16): While the full dimension is 1080x1920 pixels, keep key information and text out of the very top and bottom sections. The top area is often used for profile icons, usernames, and story controls, while the bottom is reserved for calls to action, captions, and engagement buttons.
TikTok Vertical Video (9:16): TikTok has extensive UI overlays. Ensure important text is positioned centrally and avoids the far top (for account info), bottom (for description, sound, and navigation), and right side (for like, comment, and share buttons).
Facebook & Instagram Feed Posts (e.g., 4:5 Portrait): For portrait images, while the full image might be displayed upon scrolling, profile previews or certain desktop layouts might crop to a square. Ensure your primary message and text are clear within a central square area (e.g., within the 1:1 ratio if the full image is 4:5).
LinkedIn Company Cover Photos (5.91:1): These are narrow. Position critical text centrally to ensure visibility across desktop and mobile.

Choosing the right aspect ratio for your content maximizes screen real estate, improves engagement, and ensures your visuals are displayed optimally across different platforms and devices.

Instagram

Square Feed Posts: 1:1 aspect ratio (1080x1080 pixels). Versatile and safe.
Vertical Feed Posts: 4:5 aspect ratio (1080x1350 pixels). Maximizes screen space on mobile, often leading to higher engagement.
Landscape Feed Posts: 1.91:1 aspect ratio (1080x566 pixels). Takes up less vertical space; use for wide visuals that truly benefit from this ratio.
Stories & Reels: 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels). Essential for full-screen, immersive vertical content.
Carousel Images: Primarily 1:1 (1080x1080 pixels) for square, and 4:5 (1080x1350 pixels) for vertical.
Ads: Follow feed post recommendations (1:1 or 1.91:1 for Feed Ads, 9:16 for Stories & Reels Ads).

TikTok

Vertical Video: 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels). This is the standard for all TikTok video content to ensure full-screen mobile viewing.

Facebook

Profile Photos: 1:1 aspect ratio (320x320 pixels minimum).
Cover Photos: 16:9 aspect ratio (851x315 pixels, desktop; 640x360 pixels, mobile). Event and Group Cover Photos have specific 16:9 or 1.91:1 ratios.
Story Images/Videos & Reels: 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels) for full-screen vertical content.
Square Posts: 1:1 aspect ratio (1080x1080 pixels).
Vertical Posts: 4:5 aspect ratio (1080x1350 pixels).
Carousel Images: 1:1 aspect ratio (1080x1080 pixels).
Feed Ads: Primarily 1:1 or 1.91:1.

X (formerly Twitter)

Profile Photos: 1:1 aspect ratio (400x400 pixels minimum).
Header Photos: 3:1 aspect ratio (1500x500 pixels).
In-Feed Images: Supports various ratios, but 16:9 landscape (1600x900 pixels) and 1:1 square are common.
In-Feed Videos: Primarily 16:9 aspect ratio (1600x900 pixels).
Website Card Images & Ads: 1.91:1 aspect ratio (800x418 pixels).

Profile Photos & Company Logos: 1:1 aspect ratio (400x400 pixels minimum).
Personal Cover Photos: 4:1 aspect ratio (1584x396 pixels).
Company Cover Photos: 5.91:1 aspect ratio (1128x191 pixels).
Post Images: 1.91:1 aspect ratio (1200x627 pixels) for landscape link shares.
Square Posts: 1:1 aspect ratio (1080x1080 pixels).
Vertical Posts: 4:5 aspect ratio (1080x1350 pixels).

Standard Pin: 2:3 aspect ratio (1000x1500 pixels). This vertical format is highly recommended for optimal visibility in feeds.
Idea Pins & Video Pins: Primarily 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels) for full-screen vertical content.

Other Platforms

Snapchat (Ads, Filters, Lenses): Predominantly 9:16 (1080x1920 pixels) for full-screen vertical content.
YouTube (Standard Video): 16:9 aspect ratio (1920x1080 pixels for Full HD).
YouTube Shorts: 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels).
Discord (Profile, Server Icons, Banners): Mostly 1:1 (square) for icons, and various landscape ratios for banners.
Spotify (Canvas, Covers): Primarily 9:16 for Canvas (vertical video) and 1:1 for Album/Podcast Covers.

By adhering to these recommended aspect ratios and keeping safe zones in mind, you can significantly enhance the visual quality and impact of your social media content, ensuring your message is delivered clearly and professionally. For more detailed specifications and templates, you can refer to the Media Cheat Sheet.

Platforms

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