Use 1200 x 1200 pixels for most LinkedIn image posts if you want a safe, clean, no-drama choice. It looks good on desktop. It works well on mobile. It gives your text and logo room to breathe.
TLDR: For standard LinkedIn posts, use 1200 x 1200 px for square images, 1200 x 627 px for link previews, and 1080 x 1350 px for tall feed graphics. Keep key text away from the edges, because mobile cropping can be rude. For example, a recruiter posting a 1200 x 1200 hiring graphic may see stronger mobile readability than with a cramped wide image, especially since over 60% of LinkedIn traffic often comes from mobile users. Bigger, cleaner, and simpler usually wins.
LinkedIn image sizes at a glance
LinkedIn is picky. Not in a charming way. Upload the wrong size and your sharp design can turn into a fuzzy little pancake.
Here are the image dimensions you will use most often:
- Square image post: 1200 x 1200 px, aspect ratio 1:1
- Portrait image post: 1080 x 1350 px, aspect ratio 4:5
- Wide image post: 1200 x 627 px, aspect ratio 1.91:1
- Link preview image: 1200 x 627 px, aspect ratio 1.91:1
- Carousel or PDF slide: 1080 x 1080 px or 1080 x 1350 px
- Profile photo: 400 x 400 px minimum
- Personal background banner: 1584 x 396 px
- Company logo: 300 x 300 px minimum
- Company cover image: 1128 x 191 px
That is the quick cheat sheet. Screenshot it. Tattoo it on your mouse pad. Whatever helps.
Best size for a LinkedIn post image
The best all-purpose LinkedIn post image size is 1200 x 1200 pixels.
Why square? Simple. It takes up good space in the feed. It is easy to design. It does not get awkwardly sliced on mobile. It also works for quotes, tips, product shots, hiring posts, and event promos.
If you only want to remember one size, remember this one.
Use square when:
- You are sharing a tip.
- You are announcing news.
- You want a clean branded graphic.
- You need text to stay readable.
- You want one design that works almost everywhere.
Best size for tall LinkedIn images
Use 1080 x 1350 pixels for tall images. This is a 4:5 ratio.
This format feels big on mobile. That matters. People scroll fast. A taller graphic gives you more screen space before the thumb flicks away.
The catch is that tall designs need discipline. Do not fill every inch with tiny text. Nobody wants to pinch and squint during lunch.
Good tall post ideas:
- Step-by-step tips
- Mini infographics
- Before and after results
- Event reminders
- Short checklists
Keep the main headline near the top third. Place your logo near the bottom. Leave breathing room on all sides.
Best size for link preview images
For LinkedIn link previews, use 1200 x 627 pixels. This uses a 1.91:1 aspect ratio.
This is the image that appears when you share a blog post, landing page, news page, or case study. It is wide and short. So do not cram it with a full paragraph.
Use one bold headline. Add one clear visual. That is enough.
It drives me crazy that link previews sometimes take extra time to refresh. You fix the image, paste the link again, and LinkedIn may still show the old one for a bit. Expect to wait a few minutes now and then. Annoying? Yes. Normal? Also yes.
LinkedIn carousel and document post sizes
LinkedIn carousels are usually uploaded as PDFs. Each page becomes a slide. They are great for educational content because people can swipe through ideas one at a time.
Use one of these sizes:
- 1080 x 1080 px: best for square slides
- 1080 x 1350 px: best for taller slides with more space
Square slides are safe. Tall slides feel more immersive on mobile. Both are fine.
Keep each slide simple:
- One idea per slide.
- Big text.
- Strong contrast.
- Lots of margin.
- A clear final slide with a call to action.
Resolution and file tips
Use clear images. Blurry posts feel cheap. Harsh, but true.
For LinkedIn, export images as PNG when your design has text, icons, or logos. Use JPG for photos. Keep files under platform limits, but do not crush quality too much.
A good rule is this:
- Text graphics: PNG
- Photos: JPG
- Carousels: PDF
- Color mode: RGB
- Minimum width: 1080 px when possible
Do not upload tiny images and hope LinkedIn performs magic. It will not. It will stretch them. Then everyone suffers.
Aspect ratios made simple
An aspect ratio is just the shape of the image. Not the size. The shape.
- 1:1 means square.
- 4:5 means tall rectangle.
- 1.91:1 means wide rectangle.
Think of it like pizza. A square pizza, a tall slice, and a wide party tray can all taste good. But they do not fit in the same box.
LinkedIn works the same way. Match the box before you design the pizza.
Safe zones for text and logos
Keep key content away from the edges. This is a big deal.
Use a safe margin of at least 80 to 120 pixels inside the image. This protects your headline, face, product, and logo from awkward cropping.
Never place these too close to the edge:
- Your company logo
- A person’s face
- A call to action
- A QR code
- Small legal text
If your post has text, test it on your phone before posting. Desktop lies. Mobile tells the truth.
Professional content design tips
Good LinkedIn design is not about being fancy. It is about being clear.
People are busy. They are between meetings. They are pretending not to check LinkedIn during a webinar. Help them understand your point fast.
- Use one main message. Do not make the image do five jobs.
- Use big type. Tiny text is where engagement goes to nap.
- Limit fonts. Two fonts are plenty.
- Use brand colors with restraint. Loud is not the same as clear.
- Add contrast. Dark text on a light background works.
- Show people when possible. Faces can stop the scroll.
- Use white space. Empty space is not wasted space.
Common LinkedIn image mistakes
Most bad LinkedIn images fail for boring reasons. That is good news. Boring problems are easy to fix.
- Too much text: Cut it by half.
- Weak headline: Make the benefit clear.
- Low contrast: Make text easier to read.
- Wrong size: Start with the correct dimensions.
- No focal point: Give the eye somewhere to land.
- Generic stock photo: Use something more specific.
- Logo too large: Be visible, not needy.
Quick LinkedIn image size checklist
Before you post, run through this simple checklist:
- Is the image at least 1080 px wide?
- Is the format right for the post type?
- Is the headline readable on a phone?
- Is the logo inside the safe zone?
- Is there only one main idea?
- Does the image still make sense without the caption?
- Did you preview the post before publishing?
If you want the safest setup, create three reusable templates: 1200 x 1200, 1080 x 1350, and 1200 x 627. That covers most posts, carousels, and link shares. Simple system. Fewer headaches. Better-looking LinkedIn content.
