In the age of social media, where content is king and engagement is currency, knowing the ideal Facebook post size can be the game-changer your brand or business needs. Whether you’re a solopreneur trying to build an audience, a business owner with a marketing strategy, or a content creator looking for more visibility, mastering the dimensions and types of posts on Facebook is essential. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the perfect Facebook post size—from images to videos, ads to stories—so your content looks great and performs even better across all devices.
Why Does Facebook Post Size Matter?
Every social platform has its own set of best practices, but with Facebook being one of the most widely used platforms globally, you want to make sure your content fits just right. Using the right Facebook post dimensions ensures that:
- Your content looks professional and polished
- Images and videos aren’t cropped awkwardly
- Your message remains clear and easily consumable
- You meet platform requirements for ads, stories, and feeds
Ignoring this can result in distorted media, decreased engagement, or ultimately… getting scrolled past. Let’s break down the optimal sizes for each type of Facebook content.
Recommended Facebook Post Sizes by Type (2024 Updated Guide)
1. Facebook Image Post Size
When uploading single images to your feed, the most common and effective dimensions are:
- 1200 x 630 pixels – This is the ideal size for shared images on the timeline
- Image format: JPG or PNG
- Aspect ratio: 1.91:1
This size ensures that your photo or graphic fits perfectly on mobile and desktop without any loss of quality or awkward cropping. You can also preview your posts using ViralPulseAI’s post editor to make adjustments before publishing.
2. Facebook Video Post Size
Videos are engagement magnets, but only if they meet viewer expectations—starting with resolution and size:
- Recommended resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels (HD)
- Minimum width: 600 pixels
- Aspect ratio: Landscape (16:9), Square (1:1), or Vertical (4:5)
- File size limit: Up to 4GB
- File format: MP4 or MOV
Square and vertical videos perform better on mobile, as they take up more screen space. If mobile-first is your target strategy, go vertical!
3. Facebook Cover Photo Size
Your Facebook Page’s first impression hinges on the quality of your cover photo. Here’s the best size:
- 820 x 312 pixels on desktop
- 640 x 360 pixels on mobile
Note: Always keep critical elements centered to ensure they are visible on all devices.
4. Facebook Profile Picture Size
Whether for business pages or personal branding, your profile picture needs to be crisp:
- 170 x 170 pixels on desktop
- 128 x 128 pixels on smartphones
- Display format is circular—keep essential content centered
5. Facebook Event Cover Photo Size
Promoting events? Make sure the header image doesn’t lose its wow-factor with these dimensions:
- 1200 x 628 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 1.91:1
Using a clear and attention-grabbing banner will help increase sign-ups and attendance.
6. Facebook Ad Image & Video Sizes
Running Facebook Ads? Ad creatives are held to stricter sizing standards. Here’s what works:
- Image Ads: 1200 x 628 pixels, 1.91:1 ratio
- Carousel Ads: 1080 x 1080 pixels for each image or video
- Video Ads: 1280 x 720 pixels minimum, MP4/MOV format
Pro tip: Stick to a max 20% of text within your ad image to boost delivery performance.
7. Facebook Story Size
Stories are full-screen and vertical — be sure to use:
- 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)
- Max file size: 30MB (images), 4GB (videos)
- Duration: Up to 20 seconds per slide
Optimize story reach by placing animation and CTAs within the center 80% of the screen area.
8. Facebook Group Cover Photo Size
Building community through groups? Represent your brand with a clear header:
- 1640 x 856 pixels
- Keep text and logos away from the outer edges
Quick Reference Table for Facebook Post Sizes
Here’s a summarized cheat sheet for visual content on Facebook:
| Post Type | Recommended Size | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Image Post | 1200 x 630 px | 1.91:1 |
| Video Post | 1280 x 720 px | 16:9 (Landscape) |
| Cover Photo | 820 x 312 px | Custom ratio |
| Profile Picture | 170 x 170 px | 1:1 (circle cropped) |
| Event Cover | 1200 x 628 px | 1.91:1 |
| Ad Image | 1200 x 628 px | 1.91:1 |
| Carousel | 1080 x 1080 px | 1:1 |
| Stories | 1080 x 1920 px | 9:16 |
| Group Cover | 1640 x 856 px | 1.91:1 approx |
Tips for Creating Facebook-Optimized Content
Understanding the correct Facebook post size is just one part. To maximize your content’s impact, consider these tips:
- Maintain visual consistency across your brand’s colors, typography, and imagery.
- Use high-resolution images that do not pixelate or blur when uploaded.
- Consider mobile-first design: over 75% of Facebook traffic is mobile.
- Test creative versions: Facebook allows A/B testing, so try different sizes and crops.
- Use tools like ViralPulseAI to generate on-brand images, schedule content, and optimize formats.
Facebook Post Size Best Practices for Business Owners & Marketers
If you’re creating Facebook content for marketing or branding, optimizing the post size should be part of your publishing workflow. Here’s what experts recommend:
- Create reusable templates: Use set dimensions for consistency.
- Include CTAs where