Build Your Author Website: Social Media Images for Facebook

NOTE: This post, “Social Media Images for Facebook”, introduces Facebook’s requirements for images needed in setting up your account and the images and videos you plan to use in posts on this site.

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The post’s intention is to provide this information about fields and provide image examples of what the various post types look like to help you in preparing the images and text you’ll need.

To repeat, you ideally start with an image as large as you can make it, usually 1,080 px wide by χχ px high. Facebook will adjust your image to suit their guidelines, so be sure to pre-adjust your image to the correct dimensions to ensure your composition isn’t compromised by automatic cropping. This will ensure clarity. Keep this file as your original. Make duplicates of it for every different size you’ll need. I like to label my images with its purpose and the social media name, e.g., profFB or fbProf meaning profile picture for Facebook or coverFB meaning cover photo for Facebook.

Develop your own preference and then be consistent to reduce confusion!

NOTE: Any post content on Facebook must comply with their Privacy Policy, Community Standards, and Terms of Service.

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Quick Navigation
In this post	Back to “Intro to Social Media
Facebook	Online Imaging Options
Resources for Social Media Images	Definitions

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Exploring More . . .

You may want to revisit “Intro to Social Media Images” and/or look at more possibilities in “Images on Your Website” and “Understanding Licensing” or have some fun on the homepage Building Your Author Website.

For more on websites, check out: “First Steps for a Website“, “Outline Your Website“, “Anatomy of a Web Page“, “Pages on the Front End of Your Website“, “Pages Behind the Scenes of Your Website“, “More Specific Disclosures for Your Website“, and “Navigation For Your Website“.

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Build Your Author Website is . . .

. . . an opportunity to do a bit more with your author’s website or blog and have some fun with it as well as getting a look at building it from the ground up with a comprehensive listing of the pages you’ll need . . . all while learning something about HTML (hypertext markup language) and CSS (cascading style sheets) — the easy way, lol.

If you found this post on “Social Media Images for Facebook” interesting, consider subscribing to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.

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Facebook Social Media Images
Part of Web Building: Behind the Scenes
Definition: Any image you use on your social media site, including banners. Facebook features an option to upload with high resolution, so most images can maintain their quality on the site. Check out their Social Media Kit. POST CONTENTS: Facebook Account Set-up Facebook Profile Page Cover Photo Video Cover (as your header) Profile Photo Biography Facebook Post Images Single Image Multiple Images Photo Album Images Video 360 180 Reels Post Story Post Video Cover Source: Pages Profile
Facebook Account Set-up
When setting yourself up on Facebook, you’ll need assorted images that reflect you: Profile Page Post Images NOTE: Your cover and profile images will be public.
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Facebook Profile Page	Definition: A page on Facebook where you share information about yourself, such as your interests, photos, videos, current city, and hometown. You can choose professional mode where anyone can see your public content and follow you; a creator with professional mode can still share information and posts to your friends only or to a public audience. Cover Photo Video Cover (as your header) Profile Photo Biography
Facebook Cover Photo	Definition: A header graphic or video that visually and instantly communicates your brand and represents you and your business. WARNING: Cover photos can’t be deceptive, misleading, or infringe on anyone’s copyright.
Return to top or post contents	Cover photo must be a full bleed. Keep text and important graphics in the middle. Another type of cover is an Event Cover Photo that helps you to promote an event you are publicizing on Facebook NOTE: The size of your event cover photo can’t be edited after it’s been added to an event. A.k.a. large banner graphic
	Facebook Cover Photo Image Size Min.: 400 x 150 px Best: 851 x 315 px Desktop: 820 x 312 px Mobile: 640 x 360 px Aspect Ratio 16:9 Resolution Range Standard: 72 ppi Max.: 96 ppi File Size <15 MB Best: <100 KB File Format Loads fastest as an sRGB JPG If your cover photo includes a logo or text, save as a PNG Event Cover Image Size Min.: 1200 x 628 px 1920 x 1005 px Aspect Ratio 1.91:1 Resolution Range Standard: 72 ppi Max.: 96 ppi File Size < 100 KB File Format Loads fastest as an sRGB JPG If your cover photo includes a logo or text, save as a PNG
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	Canva has a whole page of Facebook cover examples.
Facebook Profile Photo	Definition: The circular (or squircle) photo of you.
Return to top or post contents	Facebook crops the profile to appear as a circle in ads and posts, but will remain the same square shape when people visit your Page. Your profile image is uploaded separately from your cover; Facebook combines them.
	Image Size Mobile: 128 x 128 px Desktop: 170 x 170 px 176 x 176 px Mobile: 196 x 196 px Most feature phones: 36 x 36 px An image at 2,048 x 2,048 px will have the highest resolution Aspect Ratio 1:1 Resolution Range Standard: 72 ppi Max.: 96 ppi File Size 20–30 MB File Format JPG, JPEG If your cover photo includes a logo or text, save as a PNG
Facebook Biography	You are allowed up to 101 characters for a biography, so make the most of it. Facebook business pages allow 255 characters. A Business Impressum section allows for up to 2,000 characters.
Facebook Post Images
Using graphics or video on a post. Using the correct Facebook image size avoids problems with the images being improperly cropped or appearing pixelated. A shared link is an image that is uploaded or shared on a Facebook page or profile. Photo Post Link Post Milestone Post Multiple Images Photo Album Images Photo Album Cover Video 360 180 Reels Post Story Post Video Cover
Facebook Photo Post	Definition: A single image shared post on Facebook features one image displayed prominently in the post, drawing attention to that specific visual content.
Return to top or post contents	Using the correct Facebook image size avoids problems with the images being improperly cropped or appearing pixelated. No matter what size you upload, Facebook will adjust them to a maximum width around 500 px wide and will scale to a maximum of 1:1. Remember that Facebook allows for a high resolution, so if you upload a larger size, Facebook will re-size it for you, keeping the clearer image. A shared link is an image that is uploaded or shared on a Facebook page or profile. A.k.a. photo post Source: jetdrops
	Facebook Square / Landscape / Portrait Image Size Square: Best: 1,080 x 1,080 px Max.: 2,048 x 2,048 px Landscape: 1,200 x 630 px Max.: 2,048 x 1,149 px Portrait: Best: 1,080 x 1,350 px Max.: 2,048 x 3,072 px Aspect Ratio Square: 1:1 Landscape: 1.91:1 Portrait: 4:5 Resolution Range Standard: 72 ppi Max.: 96 ppi File Size < 15 MB PNG should be < 1 MB. Any larger than 1 MB may appear pixelated. File Format JPEG, JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TIFF, WEBP Best: JPG format, with RGB color
Link Post	Definition: Not so much an image post, but it is handy for a third party link and cross-media promotion. It does have a limited reach within Facebook. Source: jetdrops
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Milestone Post	Definition: More of a celebration post, the image highlights a key moment for you, your book, your store, your restaurant, etc.
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Facebook Multiple Images	Definition: Multiple images in portrait, landscape, or square can be uploaded or shared on a Facebook page or profile.
Return to top or post contents	Depending upon the number of images (and shapes) you upload, Facebook has its own “rules” on how they’ll be displayed: side-by-side, on top of each other, or a combination of the two. For everything over six images, the layout (based on the first image uploaded) is the same as for six. Image feeds will be a maximum width of 470 px, scaling them to a maximum of 1:1. Images on the page will be a maximum width of 504 px, scaling them to a maximum of 1:1. Other images will be a maximum width of 500 px wide and scale the height accordingly. And yet, the image information below with sizes that exceed these noted above means those images will be at their best resolution with less pixelation. And will be future-proofed.
	Facebook Square / Landscape / Portrait Image Size Square: Max.: 2,048 x 2,048 px Landscape: Best: 1,200 x 630 px Max.: 2,048 x 1,149 px Portrait: Best: 1,080 x 1,350 px Max.: 2,048 x 3,072 px Aspect Ratio Square: 1:1 Landscape: 1.91:1 Portrait: 4:5 Resolution Range Standard: 72 ppi Max.: 96 ppi File Size < 15 MB PNG should be < 1 MB. Any larger than 1 MB may appear pixelated File Format JPEG, JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TIFF, WEBP Best: JPG format, with RGB color
Facebook Photo Album Images	Definition: A collection of photos, videos, or posts from a special time or place, like a birthday party or vacation.
Return to top or post contents	Similar to multiple images except for more specific suggestions: Always use high-quality images — clear and visually appealing Use a consistent theme Use a clear, concise title for each image that accurately reflects the content of the album Use captions to provide context and information about each photo Use tags to identify the people and places in each photo, making it more interactive and informative for your audience You can only add to albums you’ve created or a shared album to which you’re a contributor. Albums can also be used to promote your company, book, or products. Live videos can’t be added to an album. NOTE: Up to 1,000 photos can be added to an album. Source: jetdrops; Roth
Facebook Photo Album Cover	Definition: The first image displayed in your Facebook Album section. By default Facebook chooses the last photo you uploaded as your photo album cover. You can choose to change this image and give your album a name. Source: jetdrops
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Facebook Video	Video can be personal or promotional.
Return to top or post contents	When shared, it appears in the news feed of your friends or followers, allowing them to view, like, comment, and share the video. Businesses use shared videos to demonstrate how-to guides, promote their products or services, or provide behind-the-scenes glimpses. Organizations and influencers can leverage shared videos to raise awareness about social causes, share educational content, or just have fun with their audience. Best practices include: Keep videos interesting, as attention spans are short Optimize videos as most viewers use their cellphones Share across relevant groups, pages, or communities If you share a panoramic photo on Facebook that’s wider than 100 degrees, it may automatically be converted to a 360 photo. Panoramic or 360 photos use specific devices, apps, or software. A.k.a. panorama, shared video Source: Bailey; What Devices
	Video Video Size 1,280 × 720 px Min. width: 1,200 px Length: Depends on the aspect ratio Video Duration 15–60 sec, unless you have a compelling storytelling type of content. Max.: 240 min Aspect Ratio Landscape: 16:9 Portrait: 9:16 Video Rendering Aspect (mobile): 2:3 Resolution Range Best: 1,080 p (1,920 x 1,080 p) Note: 1080 p is usually known as Full HD resolution. Frame Rates Max.: 30 fps Bit Rates Max.: 15 Mbps Key Frame Best: 2 sec Max.: 4 sec File Size Recommended Max.: 10 GB Larger file sizes may need longer upload and processing times File Format Video: MP4, MOV Audio: AAC, SRT Audio Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz You can get free music and sounds from Meta Sound Collection to include with your videos BUT you’ll need to use your own video creation software to actually add the music and sounds to your videos. Video Captions Recommended for those viewers who mute the sound on their cellphones. Uses a Subrip (.srt) File Format Source: For additional information, see Requirements for Facebook Live Videos
360 Video	Definition: Allows you to see the photo from every angle including above, below, behind, and next to you.
Return to top or post contents	Take a panorama on your iOS device or Samsung Galaxy phone or capture a 360-degree photo using a 360 photo app or 360 camera. If you share a panoramic photo on Facebook that’s wider than 100 degrees, it may automatically be converted to a 360 photo. When taking a 360 photo, the field of view will automatically be set to the middle of the photo. Panoramic or 360 photos use specific devices, apps, or software. There are two types of 360 videos: Monoscopic – one image directed to both eyes and the most common type of 360 video and also is what is commonly supported by 360 video players (such as YouTube and Facebook) Stereoscopic – two images, one for each eye, gives more of an impression of depth The difference between a 360 Video and a 360 Live Video is that 360 Live allows viewers to interact in real time with the broadcaster, who can also respond to comments. Source: Bailey; What Devices
	Video Size 1,280 × 720 px Min. width: 1,200 px Length: Depends on the aspect ratio Aspect Ratio Monoscopic: 2:1 Stereoscopic (Top-Bottom): 1:1 Total Resolution Range Monoscopic: Up to 5,120 x 2,560 p Stereoscopic: Up to 5,120 x 5,120 p Pixel Format Yuv 420 p Projection Format Equirectangular, Cubemap Video Duration Up to 30 min Longer videos may experience longer processing times. Frame Rates Recommended: 30 fps Bit Rates Up to 45 Mbps for 4K videos Recommended: 25-60 Mbps overall. Key Frame 2–4 sec File Size Recommended: Up to 10 GB Larger file sizes may experience longer upload and processing times. File Format Video: MP4, MOV Audio: AAC Audio Codec 128 Kbps Video Captions Use the automatic caption generator or upload a SubRip (.srt) file Source: Upload
	There’s a fabulous example at 360Labs that plays a peaceful example of a 360-video, As It Is.
180 Video	Definition: Facebook allows for a wide-angle video with a 180-deg view that can be viewed in the News Feed and provides a 3D depth when viewed in VR, immersing the audience in the scenes. A.k.a. 3D 180, VR180
Return to top or post contents	3D-180 videos are easy to shoot, giving creators control over framing and eliminating the challenge of stitching. This will enable you to think about scenes that naturally work best in 180 degrees by allowing you to determine the exact frame you want to capture and share — such as when you’re filming a live event like a football game, concert, recording a cooking show, etc. The only difference between 180 Video and 180 Live Video is that 180 Live is an interactive broadcast where viewers can watch, comment, and the broadcaster can respond. Source: Bailey; What Devices
	Video Size 1,280 × 720 px Min. width: 1,200 px Length: Depends on the aspect ratio Aspect Ratio Monoscopic: 1:1 Stereoscopic (Left-Right): 1:2 Total Resolution Range Monoscopic: Up to 2,048 x 2,048 Stereoscopic (Left-Right): Up to 4,096 x 2,048 Stereoscopic (Top-Bottom): Up to 2,048 x 4,096 Pixel Format Yuv 420 p Projection Format Half equirectangular Video Duration Up to 30 min Longer videos may experience longer processing times. Frame Rates Recommended: 30 fps Bit Rates Up to 45 Mbps for 4K videos Recommended: 25-60 Mbps overall. Key Frame 2–4 sec File Size Recommended: Up to 10 GB Larger file sizes may experience longer upload and processing times. File Format Video: MP4, MOV Audio: AAC Audio Codec 128 Kbps Video Captions Use the automatic caption generator or upload a SubRip (.srt) file Source: Upload
	I haven’t been able to contact the creator of Dangerous Landing at St Barths – 3D VR180 Video in MSFS2020 to gain permission to use this, so look for this title on the Flight Simulator page for a great example of a VR180 video.
Reels Post	Definition: A short-form video can include music, audio, AR effects, and other options that cannot be turned off.
Return to top or post contents	The default option is to share with a Public audience (anyone), but you can change your audience while creating your reel and you can change it any time. You can watch reels from creators and make your own reels to share with friends around the world. You can set a default audience for your future reels. Learn more about reels on Facebook. Reels can be created on Instagram and shared on Facebook. But, Instagram-created Reels can’t be commented on in Facebook and are limited to users you follow or those who follow you.
	Image Size Min.: 540 x 960 px 1,080 x 1,920 px Aspect Ratio 9:16 Resolution Range 1080p Video Duration 3–90 sec Frame Rates 24&8211;60 fps Bit Rates Video: 5–10 Mbps Audio: 128 kbs Keyframe File Size Max.: 1 GB Video Codec/Compression H. 264 File Format MP4, MOV, AVI Audio Codec (also its file format) AAC Low Complexity Audio Sample Rate 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz Video Captions Subtitles in SRT format
Story Post	Definition: A photo, video, and/or text post of everyday moments that you can share with your friends and followers that lasts 24 hours. Old stories you’ve shared can be found in your story archive.
Return to top or post contents	Image Size Min.: 500 px 1,080 x 1,920 px Aspect Ratio Profile / Full-screen: 9:16 Feed: 4:5 Resolution Range Standard: 72 ppi Max.: 96 ppi Low resolution images will be enlarged to 320 px wide. High resolution images will be shrunk to 1,080 px wide. Video Duration 3–90 sec Up to 15 min in when published through a third-party scheduler like Hootsuite Frame Rates 24, 30, 60 fps Bit Rates 25 Mbps File Size < 30 MB Max.: 4 GB Video Compression (codec) H.264, H.265 File Format Video: MP4, MOV Audio: AAC Video Captions It must be part of the video file. Audio Sample Rate: 48 kH
Facebook Video Cover	Instead of a static image for your Facebook cover, you can use a video IF you have a business site.
	Ensure that the main content of your video is at the center of the cover, as your cover may be cropped to fit different devices. Your video cover will encompass the same area as a cover photo. Choose the most dramatic and most relevant image from a screenshot from your cover video to use for a thumbnail.
	Image Size Best: 820 x 426 px Min.: 820 x 312 px Desktop: 820 x 312 px Mobile: 640 x 360 px (The cover sides will be cut off. Visible on mobile 75 px tall.) Upload the highest-resolution video that meets the size and ratio limits Aspect Ratio Default: 16:9 A 4:3 cover may add black bars to your video which potentially ruins the viewing experience. Resolution Range Best: 1080p Note: 1080p is usually known as Full HD resolution. Video Duration 20 to 90 secs Any longer than 90 seconds and you will lose the viewers. Frame Rates Max: 30 fps Bit Rates 3,000–6,000 Kbps File Size < 1GB Max.: 1.75 GB, but it may drastically drag users’ browsing speed and limit the max resolution for the video itself. If your video size is too large, compress it before uploading it to Facebook cover. File Format Best: MP4, MOV using “high video quality” Audio Optional, but recommended Video Captions Not available

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C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which website issues are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix the . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Working Your Website posts in its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, Linguistics, Publishing Tips, the Properly Punctuated, Word Confusions, and Writing Ideas and Resources.

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Resources for Facebook Social Media Images

Some of these links may be affiliate links, and I will earn a small percentage, if you should buy it. It does not affect the price you pay.

Bailey, Ann and Liubov Zhovtonizhko. “Facebook Photo Size Guide: The Complete List of All Image Dimensions.” OWOX. 10 Oct 2024. Accessed 4 Nov 2024. <https://www.owox.com/blog/articles/all-facebook-photo-sizes/>. Article.

Bull, Hayley. “GIF vs Boomerangs.” iShoot Photobooth. 18 Jan 2019. Accessed 10 Nov 2024. <https://ishootphotobooth.com.au/2019/01/what-are-gifs-and-boomerangs/>. Article.

“Images in Link Shares.” Meta for Developers. Facebook. n.d. Accessed 19 Mar 2024. <https://developers.facebook.com/docs/sharing/webmasters/images/>.

jetdrops. “Facebook Post Types and Their Pros & Cons.” Medium. 6 Sept 2016. Accessed 13 Dec 2024. <https://jetdrops.medium.com/facebook-post-types-pros-cons-2b4dbc63e007>. Article.

Mineo, Ginny. “Facebook Cover Photo Do’s and Don’ts [+Cover Photo Templates].” HubSpot. n.d. Accessed n.d. <https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/facebook-cover-photo-size-best-practices>.

Nizzoli, Giada. “Using Images in Blog Posts: Complete Guide for Businesses.” Crafty Copy. n.d. Accessed 25 June 2024. <https://craftycopy.co.uk/blog/guide-on-how-to-use-images-in-blog-posts>.

Nyst, Annabelle. “Social Media Image Size Guide For All Platforms in 2024.” Search Engine Journal. 19 Sept 2024. Accessed 10 Nov 2024. <https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media-image-sizes/488891/>. Article.

Olafson, Karin and Tony Tran. “Social Media Image Sizes for All Networks [December 2024].” Blog. Hootsuite. 3 Dec 2024. Accessed 6 Dec 2024. <https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-image-sizes-guide/>. Article.

“Pages Profile Picture and Cover Photo Dimensions.” Facebook. n.d. Accessed 3 Nov 2024. <https://www.facebook.com/help/125379114252045>. Article.

Roth, Emma. “How to Customize, Delete, and Arrange Photos in Facebook Photo Albums.” Make Use Of. 2 July 2011. Accessed 13 Dec 2024. <https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/customize-delete-arrange-photos-facebook-photo-album/>. Article.

Stanley, Holly. “How To Advertise on Facebook: Complete Beginner’s Guide.” Hootsuite. 29 Sept 2022. Accessed 25 Mar 2024. <https://blog.hootsuite.com/how-to-advertise-on-facebook/>.

“Upload a 360 Video on Facebook.” Facebook. n.d. Accessed 15 Dec 2024. <https://www.facebook.com/help/828417127257368/>. Article.

“What Devices Can I Use to Create 360 Photos on Facebook?” Facebook. n.d. Accessed 4 Nov 2024. <https://www.facebook.com/help/529997907206001?helpref=faq_content>. Article.

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Pinterest Photo Credits

Facebook F icon courtesy of Facebook is in the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.