Social media image sizes 2026: the cheat sheet for every network

By Lyxvo · Published October 29, 2026 · 4 min read

Each network crops images its own way, and a post that looks perfect on Instagram can lose its headline on LinkedIn. Bookmark this cheat sheet: the sizes for every major network, where to keep text, and how to turn one design into all of them without starting over.

The cheat sheet

These are the sizes Lyxvo AI designs at. Networks update their layouts, so check their help pages before a large campaign.

Safe zones that matter

Size is half the story; the other half is what gets covered.

• Vertical 9:16 (stories, TikTok, Reels, Shorts, WhatsApp status): the app shows your name at the top and buttons, captions or a reply bar at the bottom and right side. Keep text and logos in the middle area, away from roughly the top and bottom 250 px.
• YouTube channel banner: it is shown very differently on TV, desktop and phone. Only the central 1546 × 423 px area is visible everywhere; put all text and the logo there.
• YouTube thumbnail: the video length is stamped in the bottom-right corner. Keep that corner empty.
• Facebook page cover: the profile photo covers part of the bottom left, and phones crop the sides. Keep text in the centre.
• LinkedIn banner and X header: the profile photo sits over the left part. Put your message on the right or centre.
• Instagram grid: the profile grid shows 3:4 crops. Square posts lose their sides, so keep the headline central. More detail in Instagram post sizes in 2026.

Design once, resize everywhere

Making the same announcement eight times is where most of the time goes. With Lyxvo AI:

1. Open Lyxvo Design and pick Social media.
2. Choose the network and size for your main format (often the Instagram post), describe the message and press the arrow.
3. Edit until it is right: double-click to change text, put in your photo from Uploads, apply your colours from Brand.
4. Right-click the design and choose Other size… (Magic Resize). Pick the next format, such as LinkedIn post or X post image. The agent makes a copy with the layout rearranged for the new shape and its safe zones, keeping your text, brand and photos.
5. Repeat for every network you need, then select them all and use Export → Download PNG.

The designs stay in one project, so the whole campaign is in one place. Use Projects on Home to keep a brand's or a client's campaigns together.

Writing for each network

The same message often needs a different angle:

• Instagram and Threads: visual first, short headline, a reason to save or share.
• TikTok and Shorts covers: a big hook in three to five words.
• LinkedIn: a clear insight or announcement, professional tone, a number if you have a real one.
• X: one bold line; the image supports the post text.
• Pinterest: a beautiful photo with a headline that promises a benefit, because pins are searched like a search engine.
• WhatsApp status and catalog: the offer, the price and how to order. Plain and direct.
• Facebook: works for events and local offers; include the date and place.

Quick quality checks before posting

• Look at the design at phone size. Can you read the headline at arm's length?
• Check contrast: text over a busy photo usually needs a darker area behind it.
• One message per image.
• Brand mark small but present.
• Every number and date is correct.

Turn the set into a video

Short vertical video gets more reach on most networks. Right-click any design and choose Make a video, or use Export → Video. Each design becomes an animated scene with its main blocks moving in (rise, pop, slide, fade or zoom), 2 to 10 seconds per scene with crossfades, downloaded as MP4 where your browser supports it (WebM otherwise).

Start with one post

Pick your most important network, design one post, then resize it into the rest. The AI social media post generator shows every format, and the YouTube thumbnail guide goes deeper on thumbnails.