Threads Image Size

The recommended image and video dimensions for Threads by Meta in 2026

Threads shares a lot of Instagram's DNA - the same infrastructure, the same profile photos, and similar image handling. But Threads has its own feed layout and its own quirks when it comes to how images display. Getting the right dimensions means your photos and videos show up sharp and take up the most space in people's feeds. If you're also posting on Bluesky, the sizing is a bit different since Bluesky doesn't crop your uploads. Here's what works best on Threads in 2026.

What size should a Threads post image be?

The best image size for a Threads post is 1080 x 1350 pixels with a 4:5 portrait aspect ratio. This vertical format takes up the most space in the feed and gets the most visibility. It's the same dimension that works best on Instagram, which makes sense given that Threads runs on the same image processing system.

Threads also supports square images at 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1) and landscape images at 1080 x 566 pixels (roughly 1.91:1). You can even post full vertical images at 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16), though these get cropped in the feed and require users to tap to see the full image. For the best experience without any cropping, 4:5 portrait is the way to go.

Threads accepts images up to 1440 pixels wide, but 1080 pixels is the standard display width. Uploading at 1080px gives you the sharpest result without unnecessary file size. Unlike Instagram's grid, Threads does not force-crop single images in the feed - what you upload is exactly what users see. Use JPG, PNG, WEBP, or GIF format with a maximum file size of 8 MB. Threads also natively supports animated GIFs and 32-bit HDR JPG uploads.

Threads Profile Picture Size

Your Threads profile picture should be 1080 x 1080 pixels with a 1:1 square aspect ratio (320x320 minimum). Threads displays it as a circle, so keep your face or logo centered and away from the edges - the circular UI mask will clip anything near the border. The maximum file size is 8 MB, and Threads accepts JPG and PNG formats.

Your Threads profile photo syncs with your Instagram account by default, though you can choose to upload a custom one specifically for Threads. If you change it on one platform, it changes on the other unless you've set a custom Threads photo. Uploading at the full 1080x1080 resolution ensures the image stays sharp across all screen sizes and when people tap to view it larger.

Threads Video Size

The recommended video size for Threads is 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. This fills the most screen space when someone taps to watch. Threads also supports square (1:1), portrait (4:5 and 3:4), and landscape (16:9) videos.

Videos can be up to 5 minutes long with a maximum file size of 1 GB (keeping files under 500 MB is recommended for faster mobile processing). Use MP4 or MOV format with the H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec at 30 to 60 fps. Videos autoplay in the feed with sound muted by default, so burning subtitles directly into your video is recommended since Threads doesn't have a native auto-caption feature like Reels. For engagement, videos under 60 seconds tend to perform best.

Threads Carousel Posts

Threads supports carousel posts with up to 20 images or videos per post. Users swipe through them horizontally. While Threads technically lets you mix different aspect ratios within the same carousel, it's highly recommended to use a consistent aspect ratio for every item - mixing dimensions causes the UI to resize jarringly as users swipe and can break HDR support on subsequent slides. For the most consistent look, stick with 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5) or 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1) for all items.

You can mix images and videos in the same carousel. Images are limited to 8 MB each in JPG/PNG/WEBP/GIF format, while videos can be up to 1 GB in MP4/MOV.

Threads Link Preview Image

When you share a URL in a Threads post, the platform automatically scrapes the website's Open Graph meta image to generate a clickable preview card. For the best display, the link preview image should be 1200 x 630 pixels with a 1.91:1 aspect ratio. You can't manually upload a custom thumbnail for a link within the Threads app - the og:image on the destination website controls what shows up. If you're sharing your own site, set the og:image to these dimensions for a clean preview card.

Threads Ads (Sponsored Content)

Meta expanded its advertising network into the Threads feed in early 2026. If you're running ads through Meta Ads Manager, the creative specs are different from organic posts. Meta recommends the 4:5 aspect ratio for ad placements since it takes up the most feed space while maintaining consistency.

Video ads taller than 4:5 (like 9:16) may be automatically center-cropped to 4:5 when delivered to the Threads feed, so keep key elements in the center of vertical video ads.

Cross-Posting & Stories Safe Zones

Threads doesn't have its own Stories feature. Instead, it uses seamless cross-posting to Instagram Stories. When you tap "Share to Instagram Story," Meta generates a 9:16 background card featuring your Thread's text and media as a clickable sticker. If your original Thread contains a 9:16 image or video that you plan to cross-post, keep Meta's unified safe zones in mind:

Threads Text Limits & Tips

While this is an image size guide, the text limits on Threads affect how much space your images get in the feed. Posts can be up to 500 characters long. Shorter posts with one strong image tend to get the most engagement. Meta also recently introduced a Text Attachments feature - you can attach up to 10,000 characters of text using the notepad icon, which acts as an expandable mini-article attached to your post.

By default, Meta compresses media to save cellular data. To keep your images and videos sharp, navigate to Settings > Account > Media quality and toggle on "Upload at highest quality."