What size should a TikTok thumbnail be?

TikTok video cover images (thumbnails) should be 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 aspect ratio. This matches the full vertical video frame. On your profile grid, the cover is cropped to a 1:1 square from the center, so keep your key visual element centered.

What is the TikTok profile picture size?

TikTok profile pictures are stored at 200 x 200 pixels and displayed as a circle. You can upload a higher-resolution square image (up to 1000 x 1000 px) and TikTok will downscale it. Profile photos are always circular, so keep your subject centered away from the edges.

What size are TikTok Photo Mode images?

TikTok Photo Mode images should be 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 vertical) for full-screen display. Landscape (1920 x 1080) and square (1080 x 1080) formats are supported but display with black bars. Each Photo Mode post supports up to 35 images.

Can I upload a custom thumbnail to TikTok?

Yes. When publishing a video, TikTok lets you select a specific frame from the video or upload a custom cover image. Custom covers must be 1080 x 1920 pixels in JPEG or PNG format. Using a designed custom thumbnail typically results in higher click-through rates compared to auto-selected video frames.

What image formats does TikTok accept?

TikTok accepts JPEG and PNG images for thumbnails and Photo Mode posts. Profile pictures also accept GIF files, but they are displayed as static images rather than animations. For Photo Mode and cover images, JPEG is recommended for photos and PNG for graphics with text or sharp edges.

TikTok Image and Thumbnail Sizes Guide (2026)

TikTok video cover images (thumbnails) should be 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio) to match the full vertical video frame. Profile pictures are stored at 200 x 200 pixels and displayed as circles. TikTok Photo Mode images should also be 1080 x 1920 pixels for full-screen display. All images should be uploaded as JPEG or PNG files.

Published April 10, 2026

TikTok Image and Thumbnail Sizes Quick Reference

Image Type	Dimensions (px)	Aspect Ratio	Format
Video Cover / Thumbnail	1080 x 1920	9:16	JPEG, PNG, or captured from video
Profile Picture	200 x 200	1:1	JPEG, PNG, GIF (static)
Photo Mode Image	1080 x 1920	9:16	JPEG, PNG
Photo Mode (landscape)	1920 x 1080	16:9	JPEG, PNG
Photo Mode (square)	1080 x 1080	1:1	JPEG, PNG
TikTok Shop product image	800 x 800 min	1:1	JPEG, PNG

TikTok Video Cover / Thumbnail Size

The TikTok video cover image — the thumbnail displayed on your profile grid and in search results — is 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 vertical). When you upload a video, TikTok lets you select a frame from the video or upload a custom cover image at this size.

The cover image is cropped to a square (1:1) thumbnail on your profile grid. Design your cover with the key visual element centered both horizontally and vertically so it looks good both as a full cover and as the profile grid square.

TikTok Profile Picture Size

TikTok profile pictures are stored at 200 x 200 pixels and always displayed as a circle. They appear in small sizes across the app — next to comments, in the Following feed, and on your profile page — so keep the subject centered and uncluttered.

Upload your profile picture as a square image at least 200 x 200 pixels. Higher resolution images (up to 1000 x 1000 px) are accepted and will be downscaled for display. Animated GIFs are accepted as profile pictures but will display as static images.

TikTok Photo Mode Image Sizes

TikTok Photo Mode (also called Slideshow or Carousel posts) lets you post a series of still images set to music, similar to an Instagram carousel. Each image can be vertical (1080 x 1920), landscape (1920 x 1080), or square (1080 x 1080).

Vertical images at 1080 x 1920 fill the full screen and perform best in the feed. Landscape images display with black bars on the top and bottom. A Photo Mode post can include up to 35 images per post.

Key TikTok Image Dimensions

Video Cover (Thumbnail)

1080 x 1920 px

9:16 vertical; cropped to 1:1 square on profile grid

Profile Picture

200 x 200 px

Displayed as a circle; upload at least 200 x 200 px

Photo Mode (vertical)

1080 x 1920 px

Fills full screen; recommended format

Max Photo Mode images

35 per post

Mix of vertical, landscape, and square in one post

Tips for TikTok Thumbnails That Drive Clicks

Place the main subject and any text in the center third of the cover image — this area is visible on the profile grid square.

Use bold, high-contrast text on your cover image to communicate the video's value before someone taps play.

Avoid placing important elements in the bottom 20% of the cover — this area is obscured by the video title on the profile grid.

Use a custom cover image rather than a video frame whenever possible; designed thumbnails consistently earn higher click-through rates.

Keep your cover image style consistent across videos to build recognizable visual branding on your profile grid.

For Photo Mode, upload images at 1080 x 1920 to fill the full vertical screen and avoid distracting black bars.

Test your profile picture at small sizes (around 50 x 50 px) to confirm it is legible in comment feeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

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