When uploading a video to LinkedIn, it’s important to have a high-quality thumbnail that will catch viewers’ attention. The thumbnail acts as a preview image for the video in the LinkedIn feed. So what are the recommended dimensions for LinkedIn video thumbnails in 2023?
LinkedIn Video Thumbnail Size
The ideal size for a LinkedIn video thumbnail in 2023 is 1280 x 720 pixels. This 16:9 horizontal aspect ratio matches the native dimensions of LinkedIn’s video player. A 1280 x 720 thumbnail will display crisp and clear across desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.
Below are the key recommended specs for LinkedIn video thumbnails in 2023:
- Width: 1280 pixels
- Height: 720 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- File Size: Below 2 MB
- File Format: JPG or PNG
Why 1280 x 720px is Recommended
There are a few reasons why 1280 x 720px is the ideal thumbnail size for LinkedIn videos:
- Matches LinkedIn’s 16:9 video player ratio. Thumbnails display without being stretched, warped, or cropped.
- Provides enough detail for high-resolution screens. Photos won’t appear pixelated or blurry.
- Lightweight file size that loads fast. Under 2 MB is recommended.
- Standard 16:9 size makes thumbnails easy to create.
In summary, 1280 x 720px gives you the right balance of image quality and performance across LinkedIn.
What Happens if the Thumbnail is the Wrong Size?
If your LinkedIn video thumbnail isn’t 1280 x 720px, here’s what will happen:
- Wrong Aspect Ratio: Non-16:9 thumbnails will be stretched and distorted to fit LinkedIn’s player.
- Too Small: Thumbnails under 1280 x 720px will be blurry and pixelated when expanded.
- Too Large: Overly huge files over 2 MB will load slowly.
- Incorrect Orientation: Vertical thumbnails may be cropped or rotated incorrectly.
To ensure your thumbnail looks crisp and professional, it’s highly recommended to export it at 1280 x 720px.
How to Create a 1280 x 720 Thumbnail
Here are some tips for creating optimized 1280 x 720px thumbnails for LinkedIn:
Design Tips
- Use eye-catching imagery that represents the video.
- Include simple text like the title or topic.
- Pick a single dominant color to make it stand out in the feed.
- Add branding like a logo if appropriate.
- Include people’s faces and expressions if relevant.
Export Tips
- Design at higher resolution (e.g. 1920 x 1080) and scale down.
- Save as baseline JPG quality 80-90% to optimize file size.
- Use image editing software like Photoshop, Canva, GIMP.
- Double check final file dimensions are 1280 x 720px.
With these design and export tips, you can create custom thumbnails that will make your LinkedIn videos shine.
Other Supported LinkedIn Video Thumbnail Sizes
While 1280 x 720px is the recommended thumbnail size, LinkedIn supports a few other sizes if needed:
| Size | Aspect Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 640 x 360 | 16:9 | Minimum size, will be upscaled and blurry |
| 960 x 540 | 16:9 | Small 16:9 size, slightly blurry |
| 1280 x 720 | 16:9 | Recommended size, crisp and clear |
| 1920 x 1080 | 16:9 | Higher resolution but larger file size |
As you can see, any 16:9 widescreen thumbnail can technically work. But for ideal image quality and performance, 1280 x 720px is recommended where possible.
Can you Use Vertical Thumbnails?
LinkedIn only officially supports widescreen 16:9 horizontal thumbnails. But in some cases, vertical 4:5 thumbnails are displayed correctly:
- Mobile Feed: Vertical thumbnails display properly in mobile feeds.
- Post Creation: You can upload vertical images when creating posts.
- Messaging: Vertical thumbnails work in private messages and conversations.
However, vertical thumbnails are not guaranteed to work across LinkedIn. To be safe, it’s better to just create widescreen 16:9 thumbnails.
Thumbnail Size for Other LinkedIn Image Formats
Beyond video thumbnails, here are the recommended image sizes for other LinkedIn visual formats in 2023:
| Image Type | Ideal Size |
|---|---|
| Cover image | 1536 x 768px |
| Company page logo | 300 x 300px |
| Shared link thumbnail | 200 x 200px |
| Profile picture | 400 x 400px |
Optimizing all the visuals on your LinkedIn profile and posts can help grab attention and maintain quality presentation across devices.
Conclusion
To summarize, the ideal LinkedIn video thumbnail size is 1280 x 720px with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. This ensures your custom thumbnails look sharp on both desktop and mobile. Be sure to export quality images at the right dimensions to showcase your videos.
