Resize Images for Instagram, YouTube & Social Media (Exact Pixel Guide)
Get the right dimensions for Instagram posts, stories, YouTube thumbnails, and LinkedIn banners-plus a fast browser resizer workflow.
Social platforms punish the wrong aspect ratio
Upload a 4000×3000 phone photo to Instagram and the crop will fight you. Start from the correct canvas size, then design or crop intentionally.
Quick size cheat sheet (common targets)
- Instagram feed - 1080×1080 (square) or 1080×1350 (portrait)
- Instagram story / Reel cover - 1080×1920
- YouTube thumbnail - 1280×720
- YouTube channel banner - follow YouTube's safe-area guide; design wide and keep text centered
- LinkedIn post image - ~1200×627 for link-style cards
- Facebook shared image - ~1200×630
Exact recommendations change; when in doubt, use platform help docs and keep important content away from edges.
Resize workflow on 7xm
- Open the Image Resizer.
- Enter exact pixels or pick a social preset.
- Lock aspect ratio when you want proportional scaling.
- Export, then compress for faster uploads.
- For thumbnails with text/graphics, design in the Canva alternative studio at the final size.
Crop vs resize
- Resize - Changes pixel dimensions (may distort if unlocked)
- Crop - Removes edges to hit an aspect ratio (Image Editor)
For faces and product shots, crop first for composition, then resize to exact export dimensions.
SEO and performance angle
Optimized social images also help your website: reuse compressed derivatives on blog posts and landing pages to improve LCP.
FAQ
How do I resize an image without losing quality?
Scale down from a larger original; avoid upscaling tiny images. Use PNG/WebP for sharp UI graphics via the Image Converter.
Free image resizer online?
Yes-7xm Image Resizer runs in your browser.