X (Twitter) post image and video dimensions decide whether media renders sharp in the timeline or arrives cropped. This guide covers the media you attach to a scheduled post on X: single images, multi-image posts, summary card images and video, with the pixel sizes, aspect ratios and file limits for each. To see how scheduling fits around it, start at the X (Twitter) post scheduler.
An upload outside X’s ratios is cropped from the center, which can push logos and text overlays out of frame. A video outside X’s limits is rejected at upload, so a spec error can cost you the publishing slot. Check the numbers below before you queue media for a client account.
X (Twitter) Post Image and Video Dimensions at a Glance
Each row gives the recommended size, the aspect ratio, the file limit and the formats X accepts for media attached to a post.
| Media type | Recommended size | Aspect ratio | Limits | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single image | 1200 x 675 px (600 x 335 px minimum) | 16:9; also 1:1 (1080 x 1080) and 4:5 (1080 x 1350) | 5 MB | JPG, PNG, WEBP |
| Multi-image post | Same as single image, up to 4 photos | Cropped into grid tiles | 5 MB per image | JPG, PNG, WEBP |
| Animated GIF | 1280 x 1080 px maximum | Varies | 15 MB, 350 frames maximum, one GIF per post | GIF |
| Summary card image | 400 x 400 px (standard) or 1200 x 600 px (large image) | 1:1 / 2:1 | 5 MB | JPG, PNG |
| Video | 1280 x 720 px landscape, 720 x 1280 px portrait, 720 x 720 px square | 1:3 to 3:1 | 8 GB; 0.5 seconds to 20 minutes (X Premium: 16 GB, 125 minutes) | H.264 High Profile video, AAC-LC audio |
Twitter Image Dimensions for Scheduled Posts
Images attached to a post follow three sets of rules: the single-image frame, the multi-image grid and the summary card that X builds from a shared link. One exported master file cannot serve all three without a separate crop for each.
In-Stream Images
An in-stream image is the photo that renders inside a post in the timeline. A single image displays best at 1200 x 675 pixels in a 16:9 ratio, with a 600 x 335 pixel minimum. The file limit is 5 MB, in JPG, PNG or WEBP format. X also supports square images at 1080 x 1080 pixels and vertical images at 1080 x 1350 pixels for single-photo posts.
Multi-Image Posts
A post holds up to 4 photos, 1 animated GIF or 1 video. X crops every image in a 2-, 3- or 4-photo set into grid tiles from the center, so keep the subject in the middle of each frame.
- A 2-image post renders side-by-side tiles.
- A 3-image post places one tall tile on the left with 2 wide tiles stacked on the right.
- A 4-image post arranges 4 wide tiles in a 2 x 2 grid.
The first attached image takes the dominant position in the 3-image layout, so put the hero visual first.
Summary Card Image
A summary card image is the link preview X generates when a shared URL carries card markup, so you set it on the destination page rather than uploading it with the post. The standard summary card uses a square image at 400 x 400 pixels in a 1:1 ratio. The large image card uses 1200 x 600 pixels in a 2:1 ratio.
Twitter Video Specs
These limits come from X’s developer documentation for media attached to a post. Video is stricter than images: an oversized image can still publish with compression, but a video outside the size, duration or codec limits is rejected at upload.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended resolution | 1280 x 720 px landscape (16:9), 720 x 1280 px portrait (9:16), 720 x 720 px square (1:1) |
| Dimensions allowed | Between 32 x 32 and 1280 x 1024 px |
| Aspect ratio range | 1:3 to 3:1 |
| Max file size | 8 GB (16 GB on X Premium) |
| Duration | 0.5 seconds to 20 minutes (up to 125 minutes on X Premium) |
| Video codec | H.264 High Profile, YUV 4:2:0 pixel format |
| Audio codec | AAC Low Complexity |
| Minimum bitrate | 5,000 kbps video, 128 kbps audio |
| Frame rate | 60 fps or less |
Posting directly in the X app can apply shorter in-app limits than the ones above, so check X’s Help Center if you upload there. Export video to these specs before you upload it to any scheduler.
Aspect Ratios That Matter (and Why X Crops Your Media)
X renders timeline previews at a fixed set of aspect ratios and center-crops any image outside that set. The timeline favors 16:9 landscape and 1:1 square for single-image posts. The large summary card holds 2:1, and video accepts any ratio between 1:3 and 3:1.
The crop anchors to the center of the image, and desktop and mobile apply slightly different frames. An off-center logo can survive on one device and disappear on the other, while a center-weighted composition protects the subject on both.
Preparing X Media With RecurPost
RecurPost’s free image cropper includes X (Twitter) presets, including a 16:9 X post preset, so you can crop an image to the timeline frame before you upload it. The cropper works on images only. RecurPost documents 850+ platform errors, and a post that X rejects appears as failed in History, where you can fix the media and retry.
Then schedule the post on the social media calendar, or queue many at once with bulk scheduling.
Common X Media Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- Uploading a tall image to the timeline. X crops it toward 16:9, so crop to 16:9 yourself first.
- Exceeding the file limit. X rejects images over 5 MB, so compress before upload.
- Sending video outside the codec or duration limits. Export H.264 video with AAC audio within the limits above.
- Placing the subject off-center. X crops from the center, so keep the subject in the middle of each frame.
- Ignoring mobile. The crop frame differs slightly between desktop and phone, so check the preview on a mobile frame before you schedule.
Profile Photo and Header: Preparation Only
Profile photos (400 x 400 pixels) and header images (1500 x 500 pixels) are set in your X account settings. RecurPost does not schedule or apply them. For their sizes, see the social media image sizes guide.
Try RecurPost
RecurPost schedules images and video to X across every client account. The Agency plan includes 20 social accounts and 3 users for $79 per month, and additional teammates are $20 each.
See plans and pricing for every add-on with its unit price, or start your 14-day free trial with no credit card.
FAQs: X (Twitter) Post Image and Video Dimensions
1. What are the correct X (Twitter) post image and video dimensions in 2026?
Use 1200 x 675 pixels for a single in-stream image (16:9, under 5 MB) and 1280 x 720 for landscape video (16:9). Video can be 32 x 32 to 1280 x 1024 pixels, with a 1:3 to 3:1 aspect ratio. X updates these specs periodically, so confirm current values in X’s developer documentation.
2. What is the best in-stream image size for X?
The best in-stream image size for X is 1200 x 675 pixels at a 16:9 ratio. X displays single timeline images at 16:9 and crops taller photos. Keep the file under 5 MB and center the subject so a grid crop does not cut it off.
3. What are the current X video specs and file limits?
X’s developer documentation allows video up to 8 GB and 20 minutes (16 GB and 125 minutes on X Premium), at 60 fps or less, between 32 x 32 and 1280 x 1024 pixels, at an aspect ratio from 1:3 to 3:1. Use H.264 High Profile video and AAC-LC audio. Posting in the X app can apply shorter in-app limits.
4. Why does X crop my images, and how do I stop it?
X crops your images because it displays them at fixed ratios, mainly 16:9 in the timeline. Size your image to 16:9 or 1:1 before you upload and the crop disappears. Keep the subject in the center of the frame.
5. Can RecurPost crop images to X dimensions?
RecurPost’s free image cropper has X (Twitter) presets, including a 16:9 post preset. It works on images, not video, so export the cropped file and upload it to your post. Export video to X’s specs before you upload it.