The correct TikTok image size for photo posts and slideshows in 2026 is 1080 x 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio. This is the full-screen vertical format TikTok was built around, and uploading at this resolution gives the platform the best source material to work with before it applies its own compression.
TikTok Photo Post and Slideshow Dimensions
For individual photo posts and multi-image slideshows, TikTok displays content at 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. Uploading at a lower resolution or a different ratio causes TikTok to either add black bars on the sides or crop the image automatically, both of which reduce the visual quality of your content. Always start with your highest-resolution original before resizing to this format.
TikTok Carousel Image Size
TikTok carousel posts follow the same 1080 x 1920 pixel, 9:16 ratio specification as standard photo posts. Each image in the carousel should be formatted individually at this dimension before upload. Mixing portrait and landscape images in a single carousel will result in inconsistent display and automatic cropping on the images that do not match the expected ratio.
TikTok Profile Picture Size
TikTok profile pictures are displayed as circles. The minimum recommended upload size is 200 x 200 pixels, but uploading at 400 x 400 pixels or larger produces sharper results on high-resolution phone screens. Center your subject within the square frame before uploading, since TikTok applies a circular crop that removes the corners.
TikTok Video Cover Image Size
The cover image that appears on your TikTok profile grid uses a 1080 x 1920 pixel, 9:16 vertical format. A portion of the top and bottom may be obscured by the TikTok interface overlay including your username and caption. Place the primary visual element of the cover image in the center third of the frame to ensure it remains visible in the grid view.
Why TikTok Compresses Your Images and How to Minimize Quality Loss
TikTok applies its own compression algorithm to every image you upload. The platform reduces file size to improve load times across mobile connections. Uploading the largest, highest-quality version of your image gives the algorithm better source material, which results in a cleaner compressed output. Uploading an already-compressed image compounds the quality loss because the algorithm compresses an already-degraded file. Always export your images at the highest quality setting your editing tool offers before uploading to TikTok.
TikTok Image Size Quick Reference for 2026
Photo post: 1080 x 1920 px, 9:16 ratio. Slideshow post: 1080 x 1920 px per image, 9:16 ratio. Carousel post: 1080 x 1920 px per image, 9:16 ratio. Profile picture: 400 x 400 px minimum, displayed as a circle. Video cover image: 1080 x 1920 px, 9:16 ratio. Accepted file formats: JPG, PNG, WEBP. Maximum file size: 20MB per image.
How to Remove GPS Data Before Uploading to TikTok
Smartphone photos automatically embed GPS coordinates, device model, and timestamp information into the image file as EXIF metadata. This data travels with your photo when you upload it to TikTok, even when your TikTok privacy settings are set to the most restrictive option. Stripping EXIF metadata before upload is standard practice for privacy-conscious creators. Cropix (cropix.app) removes all GPS and device metadata automatically when it generates your platform-sized exports, so the files you download are clean before you upload them anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best image size for TikTok in 2026? The best image size for TikTok in 2026 is 1080 x 1920 pixels at a 9:16 aspect ratio. This applies to photo posts, slideshows, carousels, and video cover images.
Why does my TikTok photo have black bars? Black bars on TikTok photos appear when the uploaded image does not match the 9:16 aspect ratio. TikTok adds black bars to fill the unused space rather than cropping the image. Resizing to 1080 x 1920 pixels before upload eliminates this problem.
Does TikTok strip metadata from uploaded photos? TikTok may remove some metadata during processing, but you should not rely on this as a privacy measure. Removing GPS and EXIF data from your photos before uploading is the only way to confirm the data is not transmitted.