Similar to other social media platforms, Twitter imposes certain limitations and recommended dimensions for images. To make sure your picture retains its original quality and doesn’t end up cropped in all the wrong places, you will need to resize your image in advance.
In this article, we will show you how to change the size of your profile photo, your header, and pictures that are attached to your posts on Twitter.
How to Resize Pictures for Twitter?
Altering the size of your picture before posting it on social media is a key step for preparing a quality post. If you skip this step, your image will be cropped and it won’t be displayed properly across different devices. Social media platforms change the preferences for the posts’ optimum sizes all the time, so it’s important to keep up with the newest updates.
When it comes to Twitter, dimensions vary depending on the type of picture you want to upload. There are various converters and online tools you can use to resize your picture for Twitter. We’ll show you how to do it on different programs for each image type.
How to Resize Your Profile Photo for Twitter
Your profile picture is the first thing someone sees, so it’s essential to know how to adjust its size.
TinyWow is a free online tool that you should have in your bookmark. Lots of features when it comes to image processing. Resizing images is pretty easy and relatively straightforward to follow. A quick steps to follow:
- Visit tinywow.com and hover your mouse on the “Image” tab.
- Then, click on the “Resize Image Dimensions.”
- And choose the image that you want to resize by clicking the “Upload from PC or Mobile” or “Drag files here.”
Paint is one of the programs you can use to edit your profile picture’s dimensions. It’s available on any computer and it’s easy to use. To resize your profile photo for Twitter, follow the steps below:
- Find the image you want to make your profile photo and right-click on it.
- Click on “Open with” and go to “Paint.”
- Select the “Resize” option in the toolbar.
- The “Resize and Skew” tab will open.
- Uncheck the “Maintain aspect ratio” box.
- Type in “73” in both the “Horizontal” and “Vertical” box.
- Click “OK.”
Note: When saving your picture, make sure to choose an acceptable format (“JPEG,” “GIF,” or “PNG,”).
How to Resize Your Header Photo for Twitter?
Headers on Twitter are similar to cover photos on Facebook. They are horizontal pictures, which are located on your profile, behind your profile picture.
Taking into consideration its specific size recommendations, you can choose banner templates that are available online (for example on Canva or Hub Spot). On the other hand, if you want to resize a picture that you already have, you can use the Free Image Resizer. This is how you can use it to change your header’s dimensions:
- Open the online program and drag your picture into the blank area.
- In the “Custom resize” section, uncheck the “Lock Aspect Ratio”. You’ll also see the “Width” and “Height” boxes.
- In “Width” type in 1500px.
- In “Height” type in 500px.
- Click “Download.”
How to Resize Pictures in Your Tweets?
These types of images are regular pictures people post in their Tweets. They can vary in size, depending on the type of device used to view it.
You can resize your in-stream photo without cropping it. There are hundreds of image editors you can find online. One great option for resizing your images is Resizemyimg. To find out how follow these steps:
- Open the online image converter.
- Drag your photo into the blank box or upload it from your computer.
- Find the “Aspect ratio” button.
- Chose the recommended ratio (16:9).
- Drag the outlines of the picture to center it.
- You can also change the quality, file size, and format, in the options below.
- Click “Download” at the bottom of the page.
Once you’ve resized the image to meet Twitter’s requirements, you can upload it.
Your aspect ratio should depend on the number of pictures you plan to upload. Keep in mind that you can post up to four pictures at once. Follow these instructions to choose the correct aspect ratio:
- One picture – the aspect ratio should be 16:9.
- Two pictures – the aspect ratio should be 7:8.
- Three pictures – one will be bigger than the other two (7:8) and the other two should be 4:7.
- Four pictures – the aspect ratio should be 2:1.
How to Make Twitter Images Accessible for Visually Impaired?
To make posts accessible to visually impaired users, Twitter gives you the option of adding image descriptions. First, you need to enable this feature, you can do so by following the steps below:
- Open Twitter on your mobile device.
- Tap on your profile picture.
- Go to Settings.
- Find “Settings & Privacy.”
- Tap “General” and then “Accessibility.”
- Find “Compose image descriptions” and toggle the switch.
Note: You should follow these steps on your mobile device. If you’re on your computer, this feature is enabled by default.
Now that you’ve successfully enabled image descriptions on your phone, this is how you can add them to your posts:
- Upload your photo but don’t post it yet.
- Tap the “Add description” option at the bottom of the image.
- Enter the description in the box – you have 420 characters to explain what’s on it.
- Tap “Apply.”
- Tap “Tweet.”
Note: Image descriptions can only be added to photos – this option is unavailable for videos and GIFs.
Additional FAQs
What Is the Size of a Twitter Picture?
The sizes of photos on Twitter depend on the type of image. Twitter has recommended image sizes and specifications for each type.
The standard dimensions for a Twitter profile photo are:
• 1:1 (aspect ratio)
• 400 X 400 pixels (the required upload size)
• 2MB (the optimal size of the image)
• .JPG, .GIF, or .PNG (acceptable image formats)
Recommended image specifications for Twitter headers are:
• 3:1 (aspect ratio)
• 1,500 x 500 pixels (optimal upload size)
• 5MB (recommended image size)
• .JPG, .GIF, or .PNG (acceptable file formats)
Recommended size specifications for photos you post on Twitter are the following:
• 16:9 (aspect ratio)
• 440 x 220 pixels (minimum upload size)
• 1024 x 512 pixels (maximum upload size)
• 5MB (recommended file size)
• .JPG, .GIF, or .PNG (acceptable file formats), along with GIFS
How Do I Resize a Photo for Twitter on iPhone?
Good news – you don’t need a special app for resizing images on your iPhone. You can do it within your photo gallery. This is how it’s done:
1. Open the picture you want to resize.
2. Tap “Edit” in the upper-right corner of your screen.
3. Select the crop icon on the bottom banner.
4. Tap the aspect ratio icon in the upper-right corner.
5. Choose whether you want your photo to be cropped vertically or horizontally.
6. Choose the aspect ratio – your options are original, freeform, square, 9:16, 8:10, 5:7, 3:4, 3:5, and 2:3.
7. Move the image around to center it.
8. Tap “Done.”
That’s all there is to it. Now you are free to upload the resized version of the image on Twitter.
What Is the Best Size for Twitter Images?
The optimal size for a Twitter image depends on the type of image you are posting. Profile pictures are the smallest, and they need to be centered so Twitter doesn’t cut the picture in half and leave out your face.
Headers are horizontal images, therefore their aspect ratio should be 3:1. When it comes to individual photos within Tweets, it’s up to you to choose the size you want. However, for in-stream photos, Twitters suggests using the 16:9 aspect ratio.
How Do You Fit a Whole Picture on Twitter?
There are loads of ways you can fit a whole picture on Twitter, without having to crop it. If you don’t want to use any additional apps, you can do it on your phone – by following the instructions above. If you are on your computer, you can use programs you might have already installed, like Paint or Photoshop.
When it comes to online programs, there are plenty of options to choose from. Some of the easiest to use are Pixlr, Free Image Resizer, Resizemyimg, Onlineresizeimage, Sproutsocial, etc.
What Is the Best Video Size for Twitter?
When it comes to recommended video specifications, Twitter suggests sticking to the following:
• 16:9 (aspect ratio for landscape and portrait mode), 1:1 (for square mode)
• H264 High Profile (suggested video codec)
• 30 FPS to 60 FPS (frame rates)
• Video resolution: 1280×720 (for landscape mode), 720×1280 (for portrait mode), 720×720 (for square mode)
• 5,000 kbps (minimum video bitrate)
• 128 kbps (minimum audio bitrate)
What Are the Dimensions for Twitter Cover?
A Twitter cover is the heading that’s located on your profile. It’s a horizontal banner and its dimensions are 1,500 x 500 pixels. If you want to add a Twitter cover to your profile, look for horizontal pictures with a 3:1 aspect ratio.
Resizing Your Pictures on Twitter Has Never Been So Easy
Now you know how to change the size of your profile photo, heading, and photos for individual posts on Twitter on all devices. Editing your photo’s dimensions only takes a couple of steps, but it can make a world of a difference. Your photos on Twitter will never be out of proportion again.
Have you ever resized a photo for Twitter? Did you use any of the programs mentioned in this article? Let us know in the comments section below.
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