Twitter (X) Image Optimization Guide
Learn how to optimize your images for Twitter (X) with our comprehensive guide. Get the perfect image sizes and best practices for posts, profile pictures, headers, and cards.
Profile Picture
Your profile picture is your identity on Twitter. It appears next to every tweet you send and is the first thing people see when they visit your profile.
Profile Picture Specs
| Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Best Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile Picture | 400 x 400 px | 1:1 | JPG, PNG, GIF |
Pro Tip
Even though the upload is square, Twitter displays profile pictures as circles. Ensure your logo or face is centered and not cut off by the corners.
Header Image
The header image is the large banner at the top of your profile. It's a great space to showcase your brand's personality, current promotions, or tagline.
Header Image Specs
| Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Best Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Header Image | 1500 x 500 px | 3:1 | JPG, PNG, GIF |
Safe Zones
Part of your header image may be covered by your profile picture on desktop, and cropped on mobile. Keep critical text and logos in the center of the image.
Post Image
Images attached to tweets get more engagement than text-only tweets. Optimizing them ensures they look great in the feed without awkward cropping.
Post Image Specs
| Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Best Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Image | 1200 x 675 px | 16:9 | JPG, PNG, GIF |
| Minimum Size | 600 x 335 px | 16:9 | JPG, PNG |
Card Image
Twitter Cards allow you to attach rich photos, videos and media experiences to Tweets that drive traffic to your website.
Card Image Specs
| Type | Dimensions (px) | Aspect Ratio | Best Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary Card | 1200 x 628 px | 1.91:1 | JPG, PNG |
Best Practices for Twitter Images
High Quality
Use sharp, clear images with good lighting and vibrant colors to grab attention in a fast-moving feed.
Minimal Text
Keep text to a minimum. If you must use text, ensure it's large and readable on mobile screens.
Brand Consistency
Maintain consistent branding (colors, fonts, style) across all your Twitter images to build recognition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using low-resolution or blurry images that look unprofessional.
- Adding too much text to images, making them hard to read on mobile.
- Ignoring mobile display differences (most users are on mobile).
- Using inconsistent branding that confuses your audience.
- Not updating header images for special events or campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I upload an image with the wrong dimensions to Twitter?
Twitter will automatically crop your image to fit the supported aspect ratios. However, this automatic cropping may not focus on the important parts of your image, which is why using a tool like SocialCrop is recommended.
Can I upload images in any file format to Twitter?
Twitter supports JPEG, PNG, and GIF formats. For the best quality and loading times, JPEG is recommended for photographs, while PNG is better for graphics with text or transparent elements.
What's the maximum file size for Twitter images?
Twitter compresses images during upload, but it's best to keep your file size under 5MB for photos and 15MB for GIFs on web. Larger files may be compressed more heavily, resulting in lower quality.