← Back to Blog

The Ultimate Pinterest Picture Size Guide

October 3, 2025

If you're a busy creator who just needs the right numbers—and fast—this is the cheat sheet for you. Nailing the correct Pinterest picture size from the start is the key to making sure your content looks polished and doesn't get awkwardly cropped when it hits the feed.

Your Quick Pinterest Picture Size Reference Chart

Below is a super simple, easy-to-scan table that breaks down every important Pinterest dimension you'll need. I've pulled together the recommended pixel sizes and aspect ratios for all the major formats you'll be using, from Standard Pins and Idea Pins all the way to Board Covers and your Profile Photo.

This infographic gives you a great visual on the most common pin widths and aspect ratios creators are working with right now.

Blog image

As you can see, that vertical 2:3 aspect ratio is king on Pinterest, and sticking to it is one of the easiest ways to boost your visibility.

Pinterest Image and Video Dimensions Quick Guide

Here’s a quick-lookup table with all the essential specs. Bookmark this page so you can find it anytime you're creating new content.

This table covers the most frequent use cases on the platform. Following these guidelines is your first and most important step toward creating content that really performs.

If you're diving deeper into video, you might find this comprehensive social media video sizes guide helpful for other platforms, too.

Getting Standard Pin Dimensions Right

The Standard Pin is your bread and butter on Pinterest. It's the most common format you'll see, and getting its dimensions right is the first step to making your content stand out. The magic number here is the 2:3 aspect ratio.

Why is this ratio so important? It's simple: Pinterest is built for mobile. The vast majority of users are scrolling on their phones, and a vertical 2:3 pin fills their screen perfectly, grabbing their attention without getting awkwardly cropped.

Blog image

If you use a different shape, like a square or a wide horizontal image, Pinterest will likely truncate it in the feed. This means your carefully crafted branding or call-to-action could get cut off, hurting your engagement before anyone even clicks.

Key Technical Specs

To make sure your Standard Pins look sharp and get the best possible distribution, stick to these technical guidelines. Think of this as your pre-flight checklist before you publish.

  • Recommended Size: Aim for 1000 x 1500 pixels. This is the sweet spot for a high-resolution image that stays crisp on any screen.
  • Minimum Size: You can go as low as 600 x 900 pixels, but I wouldn't recommend it. Smaller images can look pixelated and may not perform as well.
  • File Type: Stick with high-quality PNG or JPG files.
  • File Size: Keep your image under 20 MB to avoid any upload issues.
  • Why Vertical Is the Only Way to Go

    At the end of the day, the Pinterest algorithm favors vertical images. A taller pin simply commands more real estate in the feed, making it much harder for someone to scroll past without noticing it.

    By using the 1000 x 1500 pixel size, you guarantee your entire design is visible, your text overlays are easy to read, and your call-to-action is clear. Nailing the dimensions is a foundational step, and once you have that down, you can learn more about how to fully optimize your pins for maximum reach. It’s a simple but powerful way to drive more traffic and grow your audience.

    Optimizing Long and Infographic Pin Sizes

    If you're in a niche like DIY, recipes, or education, long and infographic-style Pins are your secret weapon. They give you the real estate to tell a complete story, whether it's a step-by-step tutorial, a detailed list, or a data-packed visualization. This extra vertical space is a huge advantage for packing in more value.

    While a Standard Pin has its place, these longer formats are true scroll-stoppers. Their sheer height naturally makes people pause in a busy feed, giving you a better shot at getting them to engage with your content.

    Blog image

    This makes them perfect for tutorials or anything that flows best from top to bottom.

    Recommended Dimensions for Long Pins

    The trick is to keep the width consistent while stretching the height. Pinterest has some clear guidelines to make sure your Pin looks great and doesn’t get awkwardly cropped in the main feed.

  • Optimal Long Pin Size: The sweet spot for this format is 1000 x 2100 pixels. This gives you a 1:2.1 aspect ratio that offers plenty of space without being excessive.
  • Maximum Infographic Size: You can push the height all the way to 1000 x 3000 pixels (a 1:3 ratio), but proceed with caution.
  • Go any longer than a 1:2.1 ratio, and you run the risk of your Pin being cut off in the feed, hiding your core message. While some data suggests well-made infographics can drive serious traffic, that advantage disappears if the visible part of your design doesn't immediately grab attention. You can find more insights on this in Neil Patel's detailed analysis.

    Designing for Truncation

    Since getting cut off is a real possibility, you need to design defensively. Always place your most important elements—your title, your main hook, and your logo—at the very top of the image.

    Think of the top 1000 x 1500 pixels as your "safe zone." This is the part of your Pin that's almost guaranteed to be visible in the feed. It has to be compelling enough on its own to make someone stop, get curious, and click to see the rest.

    Getting Your Video and Idea Pin Sizing Just Right

    Video and multi-page Idea Pins are absolute game-changers for grabbing attention on Pinterest. But they're a different beast than static images. To get them to perform, you have to nail the dimensions, otherwise, you risk your content getting awkwardly cropped or failing to make an impact.

    The key here is thinking mobile-first. Both of these formats are designed for a full-screen, vertical experience that completely takes over a user's phone screen. This immersive view is what keeps people watching.

    The Best Dimensions for Video and Idea Pins

    Sticking to the right specs is non-negotiable if you want a clean, professional look. This is how you avoid those distracting black bars or having key parts of your video cut off.

    Here are the numbers you need to know:

  • Recommended Size: Aim for 1080 x 1920 pixels. This is the sweet spot.
  • Aspect Ratio: That works out to a 9:16 aspect ratio, which is perfect for full-screen vertical viewing.
  • File Size (Images): If you're using static images within an Idea Pin, each one needs to be under 20 MB.
  • File Size (Videos): For video files, you have a lot more room to play with—keep them under 2 GB.
  • While 9:16 is the gold standard, Pinterest is flexible with regular Video Pins. You can also use square (1:1) or the classic 2:3 vertical ratio. For Idea Pins, though, I strongly suggest you stick to 1080 x 1920 pixels for every single page. This creates that seamless, cohesive story-like flow that makes them so effective.

    Sizing Your Carousel Pins and Ads

    When you're running paid campaigns on Pinterest, getting your image sizes right is absolutely crucial. These formats—especially Carousels and various ad types—have their own set of rules that you need to follow for your content to look its best and perform well. Getting these details wrong can mean a wasted ad spend.

    Carousel Pins are a powerful tool for storytelling or showcasing a range of products in one post. They give you the flexibility to go with either a classic vertical look or a clean square format. The same goes for Shopping Ads, where high-quality, perfectly sized images are non-negotiable for driving those clicks and sales.

    Blog image

    Carousel and Ad Sizing Requirements

    To make sure your paid content hits the mark, stick to these precise dimensions. It’s important to remember that for Carousels, each individual image or "card" needs to meet these specifications.

  • Square Format: A 1000 x 1000 pixels image at a 1:1 aspect ratio is a solid choice for Carousels and many standard ad formats.
  • Vertical Format: You can also opt for the recommended 1000 x 1500 pixels size with a 2:3 aspect ratio to maintain that traditional Pin feel.
  • Card Count: Your Carousel Pin can include anywhere from 2 to 5 images.
  • File Size: Keep each image file under the 20 MB limit to avoid upload issues.
  • When you start exploring the full range of paid options, you'll find that different ad formats have slightly different requirements. Here’s a quick-reference table to help you keep everything straight.

    Pinterest Ad Format Specifications

    This table should serve as a handy guide, but always double-check the latest specs directly on the Pinterest for Business site, as guidelines can occasionally be updated.

    Nail Your First Impression: Profile and Board Cover Sizes

    Your Pinterest profile is your digital storefront. It's the first thing people see, so making a strong, branded first impression is crucial. This all starts with getting your profile picture and board covers just right, creating a cohesive look that tells visitors you mean business.

    Your profile picture needs to be 165 x 165 pixels. Keep in mind that while you upload a square image, Pinterest will crop it into a circle. Because of this, you'll want to make sure your logo or headshot is perfectly centered, so nothing important gets cut off. A crisp, high-resolution photo here is non-negotiable for looking professional.

    Creating Polished and Cohesive Board Covers

    Once your profile picture is set, it's time to tackle your board covers. For these, a 600 x 600 pixel square image works best. Designing custom covers is a fantastic way to showcase your brand's personality and aesthetic. For more ideas on how to organize everything, check out our guide on what Pinterest boards are.

    Thinking beyond just Pinterest, creating a set of social media brand guidelines for consistent visuals can help you build a powerful, recognizable presence across all your platforms.

    Common Pinterest Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

    Even the most experienced Pinterest creators can slip up on sizing, and those small mistakes can seriously hurt a Pin's performance. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing the right dimensions, especially if you want your hard work to get noticed.

    One of the biggest and most common mistakes is still using the wrong aspect ratio for standard Pins. As of 2025, you should really steer clear of square (1:1) images for your organic content. Pinterest has been very clear about this—their own data shows that vertical Pins with the ideal 2:3 aspect ratio get a whopping 20–30% more impressions and saves than their square counterparts. With over 80% of Pinterest traffic coming from mobile, that vertical real estate is just too valuable to give up. For more on this, Tailwind's blog offers some great insights into Pinterest sizing trends.

    Pin Sizing Errors and Quick Fixes

    Another classic blunder is uploading images that are too small or low-resolution. Remember, Pinterest compresses every single image you upload. If you start with a fuzzy or pixelated file, it’s only going to look worse once it's live in the feed.

    Here are a few key mistakes to watch out for:

  • Mistake 1: Using Square Images: Stay away from sizes like 1000 x 1000 pixels for your regular Pins. They just don't stand out on a mobile screen and can get buried by the algorithm.
  • Mistake 2: Creating Overly Long "Giraffe" Pins: Anything longer than a 1:2.1 aspect ratio (like 1000 x 2100 pixels) is likely to get cut off in the feed. This means your carefully crafted call-to-action or headline could be completely hidden.
  • Mistake 3: Uploading Low-Resolution Files: Never upload an image that's smaller than the recommended minimums. Always start with the highest quality file you have to counteract the effects of compression. If you need some pointers, check out our guide on how to optimize images for the web.
  • Pin Size FAQs: Your Most Common Questions Answered

    Getting the hang of Pinterest's image sizes can feel like a moving target, but don't worry. I've been there. Let's clear up the confusion with direct answers to the questions I hear most often from creators.

    Getting these dimensions right is one of the easiest ways to make your content look professional and perform better from the get-go.

    What’s the absolute best size for a Pinterest Pin?

    If you remember only one thing, make it this: 1000 x 1500 pixels. This is the sweet spot.

    This size nails the 2:3 aspect ratio that Pinterest's algorithm is built to favor. Since most people are scrolling on their phones, this vertical format fills the screen perfectly, making your Pin impossible to ignore. Using 1000 x 1500 px ensures your image shows up in full, with no weird cropping, giving you the best shot at grabbing a user's attention.

    Can I still get away with using square images?

    Technically, yes, you can upload a square (1:1) image. But for your standard, organic Pins? I'd strongly advise against it. Pinterest's feed is a vertical world, and square Pins just don't get the same real estate or algorithmic love. They tend to get lost in the scroll.

    That said, square images still have their place. They work well for Carousel Pins and are a standard option for certain ad formats, where the placement is a bit different.

    How do I stop Pinterest from making my images look blurry?

    This is a huge one. Pinterest compresses every image you upload to keep the platform snappy, which can sometimes ruin a beautiful design. The key is to give their system the best possible file to work with.

    Here’s how to minimize quality loss:

  • Always start with a high-resolution image. Your best bet is to create your design at the recommended 1000 x 1500 pixels or even larger, as long as you maintain the 2:3 ratio.
  • Export your final image as a high-quality PNG file. I've found PNGs often retain their sharpness better than JPEGs after Pinterest's compression.
  • Whatever you do, don't upload a tiny image. If you give Pinterest something small, it will stretch it to fit, resulting in a blurry, pixelated mess that just looks unprofessional.
  • Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Post Paddle uses AI to create, schedule, and optimize hundreds of perfectly-sized Pins in minutes. Start your free trial today and see the difference.

    Free Account Bonus

    Join Our Pinterest Community

    Sign up for a free Post Paddle account and get access to our Pinterest marketing tools.

    Free Pinterest tools
    Weekly tips & strategies
    Exclusive content
    Or continue with