The ideal size for an Instagram thumbnail is 161 x 161 pixels.
Thumbnails are crucial on Instagram because they are the first impression users get when they land on your profile. As the reference states, "First impressions matter. And thumbnails are what Instagram users will most likely notice when they first land on your profile — ultimately determining whether or not they'll dive deeper into your content." These small squares represent each post and collectively form the grid layout of your profile, offering a visual overview of your content.
Ideal Instagram Thumbnail Dimensions
The recommended dimensions ensure your images display correctly and maintain clarity even at their smallest size on the profile grid.
- Size: 161 pixels wide by 161 pixels tall
- Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square)
Here's a quick summary:
| Type of Image | Size | Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Thumbnail | 161 x 161 pixels | 1:1 |
Note: While Instagram displays thumbnails at 161x161, it's often recommended to upload images for your posts at a higher resolution (like 1080x1080 pixels for square posts) to ensure they look sharp when users click on them and see the full-size version. Instagram will then scale down the image to create the thumbnail.
Optimizing Your Instagram Thumbnails
Making sure your thumbnails look good is key to attracting profile visitors. Here are some tips:
- Focus on the Center: Ensure the most important part of your image or video is centered, as this is most visible in the small thumbnail format.
- Maintain Quality: Upload high-resolution images. Even though the thumbnail is small, the detail is preserved better if the original is high quality.
- Consider the Grid: Think about how your thumbnails look together on your profile grid. A consistent style, color palette, or theme across your thumbnails can create a visually appealing and professional-looking profile.
- Text Legibility: If your image includes text, make sure it's large and clear enough to be readable even at the small thumbnail size, though it's often best to minimize text in thumbnails.
By paying attention to the 161 x 161 pixels size and the overall look of your thumbnails, you can make a strong first impression and encourage users to explore your content further.
