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Your Guide to Facebook Image Sizes – 2020 Edition

Finding the correct image size for any platform is one of the trickier parts about making content for the web. Each platform has specific requirements, and we’d be exceptionally impressed if you can remember them all for every image or advert type. Since we all aren’t blessed with a photographic memory, we’ve created a guide for the biggest social media platform in the world, Facebook. Whether you’re sprucing up your organic feed or creating a fancy collection advert, we’ve got the info you need right here. 

Before We Begin

But wait! Facebook has a text-to-image ratio tool that you should use, especially if you are making images for ads. Images with too much text will take a big hit on available reach. If you want eyes on your adverts, use this tool to check your images before you post them.

Organic Facebook Image Sizes

Improving your organic presence requires two things at heart, consistency and time! These image sizes should improve your consistency and reduce the amount of time you take to create ads. It’s a win-win all around.

Profile Picture

3 Facebook profile pictures in a row

As one of the first things people look at, your profile picture should be the correct size. Make sure it is with the guidelines below. 

  • A minimum image size of 180 x 180 pixels
  • Displays circular in all instances, so watch those corners! 
  • Appears as 170 x 170 pixels on a desktop device.

Cover Photo

The colewood facebook cover photo

In combination with your profile picture, this sets the tone for your Facebook page. Make sure you get the size right and try to unleash your creativity. 

  • A recommended size of 820 x 312 pixels. 
  • Minimum size is 400 x 150 pixels, but beware that this may warp to fit the photo on some devices. 
  • The image will be slightly smaller on mobile devices, at 640 x 360. Make sure your crucial information is within these parameters.

In-Feed Image

An example of an in-feed image on Facebook

The staple image that you see when you’re browsing through Facebook, the in-feed image size is one that you want to remember. 

  • A recommended image size of 1200 x 628 pixels. 
  • 600 x 600 is the minimum image size, but you should aim for the above if possible.

Event Cover Image

An example of an event cover image on Facebook

Invite your followers to an event, whether physical or digital. Just make sure that the image size is correct to catch their eye. 

  • A recommended image size of 1200 x 628. 
  • The bigger the better in this case! You may need to crop it a bit, but it’s better than stretching it out. 
  • The image will be slightly smaller on mobile devices.

Offer Image

An example of an offer image on Facebook

Show off the latest deals, special offers or giveaways with an organic offer post. Image sizes are below. 

  • A recommended image size of 1200 x 628 pixels. 
  • Text is advised against on these images, as the offer should be described in the fields that Facebook provides. A small amount of text is acceptable though.

Facebook Advertising Image Sizes

The wild world of Facebook advertising can be incredibly complicated at first glance, but it’s well worth investing your time and money. (Or you can ask a helpful agency to do it for you!)  As you’re putting your hard-earned cash behind your adverts, you should make sure that your image sizes are correct. View our up-to-date list below.

In-Feed Single Image Ads

An example of an in-feed single image advert on facebook

Single image adverts are arguably one of the easiest to create, yet you can be incredibly creative with them. A/B testing via imagery is also possible, so make sure you choose the right size! 

  • A recommended image size of at least 1080 x 1080 pixels. 
  • For a landscape image, we’d recommend 1200 x 628 pixels. 
  • Remember to avoid more than 20% text, as the reach of the advert will be severely limited. 

Video Ads

An example of a video ad on Facebook

Video adverts are available across Facebook, so there are quite a few options regarding sizes. If you’re interested in placing videos in the feed, marketplace, stream, stories or search results, we have the answers below. 

  • Horizontal (16:9) videos are available in the feed, marketplace, in-stream and stories placements. 
  • Square (1:1) videos are available in the feed, marketplace, in-stream, stories and search results placements. 
  • Vertical (4:5) videos are available in the feed, marketplace, in-stream and stories placements. 
  • Full Portrait (9:16) videos are available in the feed, marketplace, in-stream and stories placements.

Carousel Ads

An example of a carousel ad on Facebook

Tell a story or advertise your products with a carousel advert. We’d recommend placing at least 4 images in there for users to flick through. You can even create a larger image and split it into 4-5 images for one consecutive carousel! 

  • A recommended image size of 1080 x 1080 pixels. Just add 1080 to the width if you wish to make a consecutive carousel. 
  • Videos can also be used at a 1:1 ratio. 
  • A minimum number of 2 carousel cards is required. A maximum of 10 cards can be used if you’re feeling creative.

Column Ads

An example of a column ad on Facebook

This advert type could be seen as the underdog, but don’t underestimate it! There’s a reason it exists in the first place, so make sure that your image sizes are correct to gain the most from it. They only appear on a desktop, so the sizes are pretty straightforward. 

  • A recommended image size of 1200 x 628 pixels. 
  • There’s a minimum requirement of 600 x 600 pixels, but we always aim for the recommended size.
  • Remember to avoid more than 20% text, as the reach of the advert will be severely limited.

Messenger Ads

An example of a messenger ad on Facebook

Messenger is another underutilised placement, but with the number of people on the platform (1.3 billion worldwide), it’s important that you make a note of the image sizes. We’ve got you covered. 

  • A recommended image size of 1200 x 628 pixels.
  • A minimum image size of 254 x 133 is required, but we’d always advise using the recommended image size.
  • Remember to avoid more than 20% text, as the reach of the advert will be severely limited.

Collection Ads

An example of a collection ad on Facebook

The possibilities for being creative with a collection advert are vast. Typically, they induce a cover image followed by a variety of product images, so they’re great for advertising, you guessed it, specific collections. The sizes are below: 

  • A recommended image size of 1080 x 1080 or 1200 x 628.
  • A recommended video aspect ratio of 9:16 or 16:9. (These videos may be masked to a 1:1 ratio when displayed in the feed.)
  • Product images will be around 1080 x 1080 but will be pulled from an available Facebook catalogue or chosen by you. 

If you need further assistance or want some advice about your Facebook page or advertising options, don’t hesitate to contact the team. We’re always happy to help.