# X Image Sizes in 2026 for Posts, Profile Photos and Headers

Source: https://trygrowx.app/x-specs/image-sizes (updated 2026-11-04)

Use 400 × 400 pixels for an X profile photo and 1500 × 500 pixels for the header, and attach up to 4 photos to a post at up to 5MB each. Animated GIFs can be up to 15MB on the web and 5MB on mobile, and a GIF goes in a post on its own.

Last checked November 2026. Every figure below links to its source.

## X image sizes at a glance

| Image                      | Size or limit                                                             | Source                                                                                                          |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Profile photo              | 400 × 400 px recommended, 1:1, max 2MB                                    | [X Help: profile photo](https://help.x.com/en/managing-your-account/common-issues-when-uploading-profile-photo) |
| Header (banner)            | 1500 × 500 px recommended, 3:1                                            | [X Help: profile photo](https://help.x.com/en/managing-your-account/common-issues-when-uploading-profile-photo) |
| Profile and header formats | JPEG, PNG or GIF; animated GIFs are not supported                         | [X Help: profile photo](https://help.x.com/en/managing-your-account/common-issues-when-uploading-profile-photo) |
| Photos per post            | 1 to 4                                                                    | [X Help: pictures and GIFs](https://help.x.com/en/using-x/posting-gifs-and-pictures)                            |
| Photo file size in a post  | Up to 5MB                                                                 | [X Help: pictures and GIFs](https://help.x.com/en/using-x/posting-gifs-and-pictures)                            |
| Animated GIF file size     | Up to 15MB on web, 5MB on mobile                                          | [X Help: pictures and GIFs](https://help.x.com/en/using-x/posting-gifs-and-pictures)                            |
| GIFs per post              | 1, and not alongside other photos                                         | [X Help: pictures and GIFs](https://help.x.com/en/using-x/posting-gifs-and-pictures)                            |
| Media through the X API    | Images 5MB, animated GIFs 15MB; up to 4 photos, 1 GIF or 1 video per post | [X API media docs](https://docs.x.com/x-api/media/introduction)                                                 |

## Sizes for photos in posts

X sets file limits for post images and leaves pixel dimensions open. Advertising specs are the closest official guide to shapes that display well: X's [ad creative specs](https://help.x.com/en/business-and-advertising/creative-ad-specifications) list 1:1 and 1.91:1 images, and X's [aspect ratio announcement](https://business.x.com/en/blog/x-expands-aspect-ratio-support-for-ad-creatives-replacement) adds 1080 × 1080 (1:1), 1440 × 1800 (4:5) and 1080 × 1920 (9:16) among others. For an ordinary post, a 1080 × 1080 square or a 1440 × 1800 portrait image is a safe, sharp choice.

**Where sources disagree.** X's current ad specs list 800 × 418 and 800 × 800 pixels, an older version of the same page listed 1200 × 628 and 1200 × 1200, and the newer announcement lists larger sizes again. All of them describe the same shapes; upload at the larger size for a sharper result.

## By account type

### Free accounts

- Up to 4 photos at 5MB each, or one GIF, per post.
- Profile photo 400 × 400 and header 1500 × 500.

### X Premium

- The same photo and GIF limits apply. Premium raises video and text limits; see [video limits](https://trygrowx.app/x-specs/video-limits) and [character limit](https://trygrowx.app/x-specs/character-limit).

## Common mistakes

- **Mixing a GIF with photos.** X's help page says an animated GIF cannot share a post with multiple images.
- **Uploading an animated GIF as a profile photo or header.** X shows it as a still image or rejects it.
- **Putting text at the edges of the header.** The profile photo covers the lower left and screens crop the header differently. Use the [banner size guide and template](https://trygrowx.app/x-specs/banner-size).
- **Exporting a 6MB photo.** Anything over 5MB fails to upload; export as JPEG at high quality instead.
- **Leaving out image descriptions.** Add [alt text](https://trygrowx.app/glossary/alt-text) so people using screen readers get the point of the image.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best image size for an X post?

X publishes file limits and no single required size. A 1080 × 1080 square or 1440 × 1800 portrait (4:5) image shows well in the timeline and matches shapes X lists for ads.

### How many images can I add to one post?

Up to 4 photos, or one animated GIF.

### What size should my X profile picture be?

400 × 400 pixels, square, under 2MB, as JPEG, PNG or GIF.

### What size is the X header?

1500 × 500 pixels, a 3:1 ratio. Our [banner size page](https://trygrowx.app/x-specs/banner-size) has a free blank template with safe zones.

## Make the image fit the post

Once your image is ready, draft the words in the [post checker](https://trygrowx.app/tools/post-checker) or turn a finished post into a shareable picture with the [post mockup maker](https://trygrowx.app/tools/mockup). Every other X limit is on the [X specs hub](https://trygrowx.app/x-specs).