Three Image Slots, Three Different Sizes
LinkedIn has THREE distinct image upload slots on personal profiles, and each has a different aspect ratio:
| Slot | Dimensions | Aspect | Visible area on mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile photo | 400x400 px (square) | 1:1 | Full circle |
| Cover image / banner | 1584x396 px | 4:1 | Center 60% on phone |
| Featured section images | 1200x627 px | 1.91:1 | Full image |
Get any of these wrong and the result looks unprofessional: stretched profile photos, banners with text cut off on mobile, featured images that show with awkward white bars.
Our merge images tool and photo collage maker handle all three formats with template options. Pick the LinkedIn variant.
Cover Image: The Banner Sized For Mobile
LinkedIn's banner is 4:1 wide. On desktop it shows fully. On mobile (where 70%+ of LinkedIn views happen in 2026), the platform crops the LEFT and RIGHT 20% of your banner, showing only the center 60%.
This means: any text or important elements in your banner must be in the CENTER region. Specifically, between pixel 317 and pixel 1267 (out of 1584). Outside that range gets cut off on phones.
For a "company logo + tagline" banner:
- Logo: center-left of the visible region (around pixel 500-600)
- Tagline: center-right (around pixel 800-1100)
- Avoid the outer 317px on each side
Use horizontal image merge to combine logo and tagline into one cleanly-positioned image.
Profile Photo: 1:1 With Face Coverage
Despite being a square upload, LinkedIn displays the profile photo as a CIRCLE. This means content in the corners of your square gets cropped.
Best practice:
- Center your face
- Headshot from shoulders up
- Face fills 60-70% of the visible circle
- Plain background (white, gray, or branded color)
- 400x400 minimum, 800x800 recommended
For corporate-style headshots, use our profile picture maker with the LinkedIn template.
Featured Section: 1.91:1 With Text Hierarchy
Featured posts (LinkedIn's pinned-content section) display as cards with images at 1.91:1. This is the same aspect as Open Graph images for general web sharing.
For a featured image that drives clicks:
- Headline-style text (large, readable on mobile)
- Visual hierarchy (logo small, headline big, supporting text smaller)
- High contrast for the "summary at a glance" effect
- Brand colors for recognition
Avoid: text smaller than 48pt at the actual export size (1200x627). Mobile view shrinks the image; small text becomes unreadable.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using the same image for all three slots
The square profile, 4:1 banner, and 1.91:1 featured are mutually exclusive aspects. Cropping one to fit the others always loses content.
Mistake 2: Banner with text near edges
Text in the outer 20% gets cropped on phones. Many LinkedIn banners have name+title in the top-left corner. On mobile, that text vanishes.
Mistake 3: Profile photo with body or context
Half-body shots, environmental shots — they look fine in the square preview but the circular crop cuts off your shoulders or shows random background. Headshot only.
Mistake 4: 4K resolution upload that LinkedIn compresses
LinkedIn re-compresses uploads to roughly 2 MB per image. Uploading a 20MB 4K banner doesn't help; it just gets compressed. Stick to recommended dimensions.
Step-by-Step: Set Up All Three In 30 Minutes
- Profile photo: take a headshot in good lighting, 400x400 minimum. Use profile picture maker.
- Banner: use horizontal image merge at 1584x396, center your branding in middle 60%.
- Featured images: pick 2-3 case studies or work samples, use merge images for LinkedIn at 1200x627 with text hierarchy.
- Upload all three to LinkedIn.
- Preview on phone to verify nothing's cut off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What about LinkedIn company pages?
Company pages have their own banner spec: 1128x191 px (slightly different from personal). Same mobile-cropping rules apply.
How often should I update?
Profile photo: every 1-2 years or with major appearance changes. Banner: quarterly to align with current focus. Featured: weekly to monthly as you have new work.
What about LinkedIn Stories or Reels?
Stories are 1080x1920 (vertical), like Instagram Stories. LinkedIn Reels are similar. Use merge images for Instagram sizing as a starting point.
Why does my banner look pixelated on retina displays?
LinkedIn's 1584x396 spec was set when most displays were 1080p. On retina laptops and 4K monitors, this resolution shows as slightly soft. Upload at 3168x792 (2x) for crisp display; LinkedIn downsamples cleanly.
Related Reading
- Instagram Carousel vs Single Post
- Profile Picture Maker Guide
- Best Image Sizes for E-commerce Product Photos
Bottom Line
Use merge images platform tools for the right LinkedIn dimensions. Profile photo: square with face centered. Banner: 4:1 with content in middle 60%. Featured: 1.91:1 with readable text. Preview on mobile to verify.
