When it comes to creating visual content for LinkedIn, one of the most common questions is: Can I use 1080×1080 images? The short answer is yes, you can use 1080×1080 images on LinkedIn without any issues. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your images look great and perform well.
LinkedIn’s Image Requirements
LinkedIn does have some basic image requirements you need to follow:
- Minimum image size: 400×400 pixels
- Maximum image size: 3840×3840 pixels
- Image types allowed: JPG, PNG, GIF (non-animated)
- Image file size: Under 5MB
As you can see, 1080×1080 pixels falls well within LinkedIn’s size limits. So there are no restrictions on using square 1080×1080 images on LinkedIn posts, ads, or your personal profile photo.
When to Use 1080×1080
Here are some of the best uses for 1080×1080 images on LinkedIn:
- Profile photo
- Cover photo
- LinkedIn post image
- Sponsored content image
- Advertising creative image (Text ads, Sponsored InMail, Dynamic Ads)
- Company, product, or brand images
Square 1080×1080 images work well for many LinkedIn image needs because they take up more real estate in the feed and capture attention easily. The 1:1 aspect ratio also makes them very versatile across desktop and mobile.
Best Practices for 1080×1080 Images
When creating 1080×1080 images for LinkedIn, keep these best practices in mind:
- Use high-quality images – 1080×1080 requires a larger image size and will show compression artifacts if the resolution is poor.
- Focus on visual impact – Bold colors, contrasts, imagery that stands out.
- Include minimal text – The image should draw viewers in, any text should be clean and simple.
- Leverage the square space creatively to showcase your product, infographics, or branded visuals.
- Save images as JPG at 80-90% quality – Reduce file size while maintaining image resolution.
- Use relevant, eye-catching images – Align each image to your message and audience.
Image Size Comparison
Here is a look at how differently sized images appear on LinkedIn desktop and mobile feeds:
| Image Size | Desktop Feed Preview | Mobile Feed Preview |
|---|---|---|
| 400×400 |  |
 |
| 1080×1080 |  |
 |
| 1280×720 |  |
 |
As you can see, the square 1080×1080 images have a very strong visual presence in both desktop and mobile feeds compared to other sizes. The entire image is visible and they utilize more available space on-screen.
When to Avoid 1080×1080
While 1080×1080 works great in many instances, there are a few cases where you may want to avoid it:
- When displaying product catalogs – Tall/portrait images show products better.
- Sharing images with text – Landscape sizes fit more text.
- Adding images to long-form posts – Horizontal images integrate better.
- Inserting charts and graphs – Go with sizes that accommodate legible data.
Evaluate the content you are sharing and consider which image orientations and aspect ratios will display it in the most optimal way.
Other Image Sizes for LinkedIn
In addition to 1080×1080, here are some other top image sizes that perform well on LinkedIn:
- 1200×628 – Great for horizontal images in long posts with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
- 1536×1536 – Square images that maintain high resolution and quality.
- 1152×648 – 16:9 landscape images that work well for ads and posts.
- 1200×800 – Horizontal images optimized for LinkedIn post dimensions.
Play around with different image sizes and dimensions to see what works best for your specific content goals and audience.
Tools to Create 1080×1080 Images
You don’t need expensive design software to make great 1080×1080 images. Here are some easy tools you can use:
- Canva – Free image design with 1080×1080 templates. Easy to learn and use.
- Adobe Spark – Create social graphics in square 1080×1080. Minimal design experience required.
- Snappa – Intuitive graphic maker with 1080×1080 templates for beginners.
- Creative Market – Buy affordable 1080×1080 templates from professional designers.
- PicMonkey – Online photo editor with 1080×1080 templates, graphics, and effects.
Try out a few different tools to see which one best fits your design capabilities and style preferences.
Convert Images to 1080×1080
If you already have images in other sizes, you can easily convert them to 1080×1080 using these methods:
- Image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP – manually resize and crop images to 1080×1080.
- Online image resizers – resize images to 1080×1080 with free tools like Resizr, ResizeImage, or Online Image Resizer.
- Batch image processors like Shutterstock Editor or XnConvert – convert multiples images to 1080×1080 at once.
- Design tools like Canva – upload images and adjust size to 1080×1080.
Converting non-square images to 1080×1080 may require cropping to fit the 1:1 aspect ratio. Be careful not to cut out key parts of the image.
Where to Get 1080×1080 Images
If you don’t have time to create your own 1080×1080 images, here are some great places to source them:
- Stock photo sites like Getty Images, iStock, Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Pexels, Pixabay.
- Design marketplaces like Creative Market, DesignBundles, or Creative Fabrica for templates and graphics.
- Social media platforms like Unsplash or Pixabay offer free stock images.
- Alamy, Dreamstime – low cost stock images available in 1080×1080.
Be sure to pay close attention to image licensing rules. Some stocks have restrictions for commercial, editorial or LinkedIn usage.
Optimizing 1080×1080 Images for LinkedIn
To ensure your 1080×1080 images look sharp on LinkedIn, follow these optimization tips:
- Save images at 72 PPI since LinkedIn is screen only.
- Use RGB color mode rather than CMYK which can cause color shifting.
- Save images at high quality – lossless PNG or minimum 80% quality JPG.
- Remove image metadata to decrease file size.
- Compress final images that exceed 5MB to reduce file size.
- Sharpen images slightly to counteract compression softness.
Optimized 1080×1080 images will have maximum visual impact in the LinkedIn feed. Poor quality images may appear blurry, pixelated or have artifacts.
Creative Uses of 1080×1080 Images on LinkedIn
With 1080×1080 images, you’re not limited to just visual posts. Get creative with these ideas:
- Overlays with text or logos.
- Photo collages and split images.
- Infographics and data visualizations.
- Product photos and comparison images.
- Behind-the-scenes company images or employee spotlights.
- Event and conference highlight reels as 1080×1080 galleries.
- Quote graphics with relevant backgrounds.
Take advantage of the square real estate to showcase your brand story, products, events and more in a visually compelling way.
Tips for Using 1080×1080 on LinkedIn
Follow these tips to maximize the impact of your 1080×1080 images on LinkedIn:
- Post consistently in your LinkedIn feed to increase visibility.
- Write engaging captions that inspire comments and shares.
- Use relevant #hashtags to reach a wider audience.
- Tag people and brands featured in your images.
- Post at optimal times when your target audience is most active.
- Promote top-performing posts with LinkedIn’s boost post ad feature.
- Analyze your insights to see which types of images get the most engagement.
Common LinkedIn Image Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about using images on LinkedIn:
What is the ideal image size for LinkedIn?
1200×628 and 1080×1080 are recommended for the best visibility. But any image between 400×400 and 3840×3840 pixels will work.
Do LinkedIn images have to be square?
No, LinkedIn supports all image aspect ratios. But square 1080×1080 images stand out in the feed.
What is the maximum file size for LinkedIn images?
5MB is the maximum file size for images on LinkedIn.
Can you use stock images on LinkedIn?
Yes, stock images are commonly used on LinkedIn. Just ensure they follow the right licensing terms.
What image types can you upload on LinkedIn?
JPG, GIF and PNG file types are supported. No BMP, TIFF or RAW file uploads.
Conclusion
So in summary – yes, you can absolutely use 1080×1080 images on LinkedIn without any issues! This square image size displays beautifully in both desktop and mobile feeds. Just be sure to follow LinkedIn’s requirements and best practices outlined above to optimize your images. With visually engaging 1080×1080 photos and graphics, you can tell your brand’s story in a compelling way and boost engagement on LinkedIn.