What size your headshot should be depends on where you plan to use it. We recommend always starting with a large file size and high resolution, so you can crop and resize it as needed for different uses.
In this article, we’ll look at the most common places where people use headshots and the ideal sizes for each. We’ll also show you how to use free online tools to adjust the size of your headshots as needed.
The Size of Your Master Headshot
The master headshot is the original copy that you receive from your photographer or an AI headshot generator, or that you capture on your iPhone.
From a photographer, you will likely receive an image that is 8 inches by 10 inches, with 2400 x 3000 pixels at 300 DPI, which is the standard resolution for high-quality print. The file size can vary, typically ranging from 2 MB to 8 MB for a JPEG and 25 MB or more for TIFF or RAW formats.
AI headshot generators, such as Portrait Pal, typically produce headshots at a smaller size of between 800 x 1024 pixels and 2048 x 2560 pixels. Despite being smaller, these files are still big enough for all digital applications. For instance, LinkedIn requires just 400 x 400 pixels.
A headshot captured on a high-end smartphone can vary depending on the camera specs and settings. As an example, for an iPhone with a 12MP camera, the size might be 4032 x 3024 pixels.
All of these sizes are large enough for most headshot uses and can be resized as needed. It’s also a good idea to leave some space above the head and below the chest in the master headshot, as this provides more flexibility for cropping to fit different requirements.
Recommended Headshot Sizes for Different Platforms
Here are the most common places where people use professional headshots and the best sizes for each.
Social media platforms
People use headshots on various social media platforms as part of their personal branding.
LinkedIn is one of the most common places where people use professional headshots. Since LinkedIn is a platform where professionals come to network with others, potentially leading to job opportunities, collaborations, or clients, having a LinkedIn headshot that creates the right impression is essential.
Here is what size a headshot should be for your LinkedIn profile picture:
- A square, 400 x 400 pixel image
- Up to 8 MB file size
- PNG or JPG format
X/Twitter
X, formerly Twitter, is another excellent place to use a professional headshot. X is a platform where people come to discuss their ideas on many different topics; think of it like a virtual town square. You will find entrepreneurs, politicians, journalists, and other influential people here, many of whom use a headshot as their profile picture.
Here’s the recommended size for a headshot to use as your X profile picture:
- 400 x 400 pixels
- Up to 2 MB file size
- PNG, JPG, or GIF format
For the most part, people use Facebook to socialize with friends and family. However, many also use Facebook to promote their services, whether they are musicians, photographers, electricians, or accountants. A professional-looking headshot is a great way to establish credibility and attract potential clients.
Here’s the ideal size for a headshot as a Facebook profile picture:
- A square, 400 x 400 pixel image
- Up to 8 MB file size
- JPG or PNG format
Like Facebook, many people use Instagram to connect, share photos and videos, and chat with friends and family. However, many also use Instagram to showcase what they do, whether they’re content creators, marketers, fitness instructors, artists, chefs, and more. A high-quality headshot can enhance personal branding.
Here is the size a headshot should be for your Instagram profile picture:
- 320 x 320 pixels
- Up to 8 MB file size
- JPG or PNG format
YouTube
All kinds of people use YouTube as a platform to share their passions or promote their businesses. Whether you’re a travel vlogger, fitness influencer, DIY enthusiast, or something else, having a professional-looking headshot as your profile picture can work well for many personal channels, helping you establish credibility.
Here’s the ideal size for a headshot to use as your YouTube profile picture:
- 800 x 800 pixels
- Up to 2 MB file size
- JPEG, GIF, PNG, or BMP format
TikTok
TikTok is a great platform for sharing short-form videos and building an audience. As with most social media platforms, you can add a profile picture, and many users choose to use a professional headshot.
Here’s the recommended size for a headshot as your TikTok profile picture:
- 200 x 200 pixels
- Up to 2 MB file size
- JPG or PNG format
Other Digital Platforms
As well as using headshots on social media, people use them on various other digital platforms and applications.
Email Signatures
Adding a headshot to your email signature makes you appear more professional and trustworthy, and it also fosters familiarity and a personal connection—key elements for building strong relationships with clients, coworkers, and other business contacts.
Here is the suggested size for a headshot in your email signature:
- 150 x 150 pixels is a good size, but it can be slightly larger or smaller
- Keep the file size between 20 KB and 50 KB so the email loads quickly
- JPEG or PNG format
Company Website
You’ll often find headshots of executives and staff on a company’s website, usually on a page titled “About Us” or “Meet the Team.” This makes the company look more trustworthy, credible, and competent, especially when the headshots are professionally taken and have a cohesive, uniform look.
The size of headshots for company websites will vary depending on the design of the site; however, here are some general sizing guidelines:
- Between 250 x 250 pixels and 500 x 500 pixels is common. However, the image doesn’t always have to be square.
- Keeping the file size under 100 KB will ensure it doesn’t slow down your website’s loading speed.
- JPEG or PNG format.
Upwork
Upwork is a leading freelancer and remote work platform, where you can find experts available to hire in all sorts of different niches, including graphic design, marketing, video editing, SEO, copywriting, and more. A headshot is a requirement for all freelancers on Upwork, and no other profile pictures are allowed.
Here is the size your headshot should be on Upwork:
- Minimum of 250 x 250 pixels, but 400 x 400 pixels is ideal
- Up to 5 MB file size
- JPEG or PNG format
Fiverr
Fiverr is another great platform for a wide array of freelance services, from logo design and website development to marketing and voice-overs. The majority of freelancers on the platform use a professional-looking headshot as their profile picture.
Here are the size requirements for a profile picture on Fiverr:
- Minimum of 250 x 250 pixels, but 400 x 400 pixels is ideal
- Up to 2 MB file size
- JPEG or PNG format
Printed Applications
Headshots also work well on various printed media.
Business Cards
Business cards are a great place to display a professional headshot, along with your contact details and any other key information. Business cards are typically 3.5 x 2 inches (88.9 x 50.8 mm), so your headshot will need to be smaller than this to be incorporated into the card’s design.
Here are the recommended sizes for a headshot on a business card:
- Between 1 x 1 inch (25.4 x 25.4 mm) and 1.2 x 1.2 inches (30 x 30 mm) can work well, though sizes can vary depending on the design.
- The resolution should be 300 DPI.
- JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format.
Flyers and Leaflets
Like business cards, incorporating a professional headshot into the design of a printed flyer or leaflet can also work well. Leaflets and flyers can vary in size, from A6 (4.13 x 5.83 inches or 105 x 148 mm) to DL (3.9 x 8.3 inches or 99 x 210 mm) to A5 (5.83 x 8.27 inches or 148 x 210 mm) to folded A4 (8.27 x 11.69 inches or 210 x 297 mm).
The following headshot sizes can work well on printed flyers and leaflets:
- Between 1 x 1 inch (25.4 x 25.4 mm) and 3 x 3 inches (75 x 75 mm), depending on the size and design of the leaflet.
- The resolution should be 300 DPI.
- JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format.
Actor Headshots
In the entertainment industry actors are expected to have printed professional headshots that they provide during auditions and casting calls, and give to agents and managers. Actors also usually attach their resumes to the back of their acting headshots.
Actor headshots should be:
- 8 x 10 inches
- The resolution should be 300 DPI
- JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format
Resumes and CVs
Resumes and CVs can be sent digitally, or printed and provided as a physical copy. In some parts of the world, including a headshot with your CV or resume is common practice; in others it is not. These documents typically come in A4 (8.27 x 11.69 inches or 210 x 297 mm).
If you want to add a headshot to your CV or resume, here are some sizing guidelines:
- Between 1 x 1 inch (25.4 x 25.4 mm) and 2 x 2 inches (50 x 50 mm) can work well.
- The resolution should be 300 DPI if printed.
- Keep the file size under 200 KB if sending digitally.
- JPEG or PNG.
How to Change the Size of Your Headshots
Many free online tools allow you to easily resize your headshots. You can use these tools to change the dimensions, file size, resolution, and format, as well as crop the image, without having to download and install any software.
Some of the best free online tools include:
- Canva
- Image Resizer
- Img2Go
- ResizePixel
To change the size of a headshot, simply visit one of the websites listed above and select the “resize image” tool.
Upload your headshot by dragging and dropping it or selecting it from your computer. Then simply enter the new size you desire by specifying the width and height in pixels. Let the tool process the image, and once it’s complete, download the resized file.
If you want to compress the image, crop the image, or convert it to another format, you can use a similar process. Simply select the tool you want, upload your headshot, make the desired changes, and download the results.
It shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes to make any of these changes, and it’s completely free.
How to Crop Your Headshots
Your master headshot, as discussed above, is the original copy that you received from your photographer or an AI headshot generator, or that you captured on your smartphone.
This headshot likely has some extra room above the head and below the chest in the frame, which allows you to crop it to the right size for the different places you want to use it.
How much you crop a headshot depends on where you plan to use it. For a social media profile picture, which is typically displayed at a small size, you may want to crop out much of the background and body below the shoulders to zoom in and maximize the visibility of your face.
On the other hand, for an investor presentation or a printed leaflet, you can afford to crop less and include more of your chest in the frame, as it won’t be displayed at such small sizes.
As mentioned, you can use one of the many free online tools to crop your headshots. However, you can also use the standard preinstalled “Photos” or “Gallery” apps that come with any computer or smartphone to crop your headshots.
Pro Tip: Whenever making alterations to your master headshot, always save them as a copy or new file. You don’t want to change the master headshot itself, as this could limit its future usability. It’s a good idea to keep a few copies of your master headshot to be safe.
Key Points on Size
The size of your professional headshot will vary depending on where it is used. However, as long as you have your master copy, you can easily make any necessary changes to the dimensions, format, file size, and resolution using one of the many free tools available.
Just follow the recommended sizes we’ve provided for each platform, and you shouldn’t have any issues with pixelation, blurring, or framing. Getting the sizing right ensures that you present yourself through your professional headshots in the best possible way.If you’re interested in getting high-resolution AI-generated headshots that are suitable for use anywhere, give Portrait Pal a try. The process is quick, taking just a few minutes, and your professional-quality headshots will be ready within two hours.