Social Media Image Sizes
TikTok Image Sizes: Profile Photos, Covers & Vertical Posts
TikTok is built around vertical 9:16 content. Its help pages set a minimum of 20 × 20 pixels for profile photos and list carousel ad images at 720 × 1280 (vertical), 640 × 640 (square) and 1200 × 628 (horizontal). TikTok doesn't publish pixel sizes for ordinary photo posts or video covers.
By Ratilio Editorial Team · Published
Most TikTok advice online lists exact sizes for everything. TikTok itself publishes far fewer numbers, and many of them are for ads. This guide separates what TikTok states from common working sizes, so you know which is which.
TikTok image sizes at a glance
| Image | What TikTok publishes | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Profile photo | At least 20 × 20 px | TikTok's minimum to upload a profile photo |
| Vertical in-feed ad video | 9:16 recommended, at least 540 × 960 px | Ads only |
| Carousel ad image, vertical | 720 × 1280 px | Ads only |
| Carousel ad image, square | 640 × 640 px | Ads only |
| Carousel ad image, horizontal | 1200 × 628 px | Ads only |
| Carousel ad file | JPG or PNG, 100 KB or less suggested | Ads only |
| Ordinary photo posts and video covers | No published pixel size | Organic posts |
Watch out
Ad specifications don't automatically apply to everyday posts. Where TikTok gives no organic figure, this guide says so instead of filling the gap.
Why TikTok is vertical: the 9:16 shape
9:16 is 9 units wide for every 16 high, the upright version of 16:9. It fills a phone held upright. 1080 × 1920 is a common working size for vertical content; it's exactly 9:16 but it isn't a TikTok requirement. The 9:16 aspect ratio guide covers the shape in depth, including converting landscape footage.
Interface overlays and keeping content central
TikTok places buttons, the caption and account name over the video. In the app they sit mostly along the right side and the bottom, so text or faces in those areas can be covered. This is an observation of the current app layout, not a published specification.
1080 × 1920
Buttons right, caption bottom
TikTok's ads help notes that safe zones vary by placement. It publishes them as overlay templates, not as one fixed measurement, so this guide doesn't give pixel margins. Preview your post in the app before publishing.
Putting landscape or square images into 9:16
A landscape photo won't fill a vertical frame. You can crop a narrow vertical slice or pad the image with a background above and below.
Landscape original
1920 × 1080
Pad
About 656 px bars above and below
Crop
608 × 1080 slice, about 32% of the width
A square image padded into 1080 × 1920 gets (1920 − 1080) ÷ 2 = 420 px above and below. For background options, see how to make a picture fit without cropping.
Profile photos
TikTok's help page says profile photos must be at least 20 × 20 px to upload; that is an upload minimum, and far too small to look good. In the app the profile photo currently appears as a circle, so use a square image at a comfortable size such as 400 × 400 px or larger and keep your face in the centre. That size is a practical suggestion, not a TikTok rule. The 1:1 aspect ratio guide explains square crops.
Video covers
TikTok's help pages we checked give no separate pixel size for video covers. Covers are usually chosen from the video or added in the app, so a cover follows the vertical shape of the video. Check how it looks on your profile grid after posting, since grid thumbnails may not show the whole frame.
How to prepare TikTok images, step by step
- Decide whether you're making an ordinary post or an ad; only ads have published pixel sizes.
- For vertical content, set a 9:16 canvas such as 1080 × 1920.
- Keep text and faces away from the right side and bottom.
- For carousel ads, export at 720 × 1280, 640 × 640 or 1200 × 628 as JPG or PNG, ideally 100 KB or less.
- Check the file with the TikTok Image Size Checker, which labels ad sizes clearly.
Common mistakes
- Treating ad specs as post rules. Carousel ad sizes are for ads.
- Placing captions at the very bottom. TikTok's own caption covers that area.
- Uploading landscape images unchanged. They appear small with large empty areas.
- Relying on the 20 × 20 px minimum. A tiny profile photo looks blurry.
- Stretching to fill 9:16. Crop or pad instead.
Frequently asked questions
What size should TikTok images be?
For vertical content, a 9:16 image such as 1080 × 1920 px is a common working size. TikTok doesn't publish an official size for ordinary photo posts.
What is the TikTok profile picture size?
TikTok's minimum is 20 × 20 px. A square image of 400 × 400 px or more is a practical choice.
What are TikTok carousel ad sizes?
720 × 1280 vertical, 640 × 640 square and 1200 × 628 horizontal, as JPG or PNG, with 100 KB or less suggested.
Does TikTok have an official safe zone?
TikTok's ads help says safe zones vary by placement and provides templates, rather than a single measurement.
Sharing on other platforms too? See YouTube thumbnail sizes for widescreen covers and why Instagram crops your photos.
TikTok Image Size CheckerCheck an image against TikTok's published sizes, with ad specifications labelled separately from everyday posts.Key takeaways
- TikTok is vertical; 1080 × 1920 is a common 9:16 working size, not a requirement.
- Profile photos have only a 20 × 20 px minimum; use a larger square.
- Carousel ads: 720 × 1280, 640 × 640 or 1200 × 628, JPG or PNG.
- Keep key content away from the right side and bottom.
- No official size exists for organic photo posts or video covers.
Sources
Sources checked October 11, 2026