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LinkedIn images – A guide to professional sizing

by Casey Schmidt  |  November 2, 2019

3 min. read
The Linkedin icon.

The optimal Linkedin image size draws attention from the right people to your profile and articles. Because there’s no one size fits all number for professional photos, chances are your personal pics won’t be ideal for Linkedin. Fortunately, you can alter them to the perfect minimum and maximum sizes. You can also use the best image type for each situation. Here’s how.

What is the maximum LinkedIn image size?

The maximum Linkedin image size is 8 megabytes. The recommended minimum profile photo size for Linkedin is 400 pixels by 400 pixels. An ideal photo is larger than 400×400 because a high quality image gives a profile a more professional look. Use photos from your inventory that are close to these dimensions in order to get the best resolution when resizing them for your profile.

Consider the types of people you want to attract with your profile picture when tweaking image sizes. Make sure you’re at the very least reaching the minimum size and staying below the maximum. The size you choose of course depends on what type of impression you want to make. High resolution images probably won’t reach the 8MB maximum but generally in a profile photo you want much higher than 400×400 pixels.

A picture of a desk with a mobile phone showing the Linkedin page.
Edit your photos to ensure best sizing.

Which image file type is optimal?

As you’re constructing a Linkedin profile, you’ll need to determine which image file types translate the best onto its format. Assuming you’re not a professional photographer, it’s safe to say your choices are between JPEG or PNG. Though a JPEG image file is a little easier to upload, PNG is going to give the best results. This is because the PNG maintains higher quality resolution, keeping its pixels around the ideal photo sizes.

Also consider the background image on your profile page. Does the color scheme blend with your personal photo? Does it look professional? Does it maintain its quality and resolution through size changes? Make sure both the profile image and the background image blend together and look healthy on mobile and desktop.

A picture of someone searching on Linkedin.
Make sure your photo fits your profile background colors.

How to implement images into an article on LinkedIn

Linkedin articles are a great way to drive traffic to your business website. They also promote your own profile page on Linkedin. The content of the article is obviously important but so are the images. Make sure they’re the right size to mesh perfectly with the article.

The GIF is a good choice for certain articles, particularly ones that need to express visual animation. A PNG image file is great for a profile picture but in an article it slows traffic and load times. This makes it a nightmare for mobile users. JPEG is the most likely candidate for an image in a Linkedin article. It’s usually smaller in size but maintains high quality resolution. It also prevents an article from bogging down an older computer’s load time.

Know which sizes are allowed to coordinate your image usage on Linkedin. If you’re trying to make business connections, make sure your sizes allow users to see exactly what you want to show them – professionalism.