Twitter/X ads support several formats: image ads in the timeline, website cards with preview thumbnails, video ads, carousel ads, and app install cards. Each format has specific size requirements. Using the wrong dimensions results in cropped images, black bars, or rejected uploads. Here are the exact specs for every Twitter/X ad format.

Twitter/X Image Ad Sizes

Standard image ads appear in users' timelines and are the most common ad format:

Recommended size: 1200×675 px (16:9 landscape) — the safest option for most campaigns
Square format: 1200×1200 px (1:1) — often performs better on mobile because it takes up more screen space
Vertical format: 1080×1920 px (9:16) — full-screen vertical, used for immersive mobile placements
Maximum file size: 5 MB for images
Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF (static GIFs treated as images)
Minimum size: 600×335 px (but use at least 1200 px wide for quality)

Website Card Image Sizes

Website cards attach a URL preview to a tweet, showing a thumbnail image, title, and website URL. These are the most widely used Twitter ad format for driving clicks:

Image size: 800×418 px (1.91:1) for landscape cards — standard Twitter link preview ratio
Square cards: 800×800 px (1:1)
Maximum file size: 20 MB
Formats: JPEG or PNG

The website card image appears below the tweet text and above the URL/headline. Keep important content away from the edges — Twitter may crop slightly based on device.

Carousel Ad Image Sizes

Carousel ads show multiple images or videos that users can swipe through — effective for product showcases or step-by-step content:

Card image size: 800×800 px (1:1 square) — all cards in a carousel must use the same aspect ratio
Landscape option: 800×418 px (1.91:1)
Maximum file size: 20 MB per card
Number of cards: 2–6 per carousel
Formats: JPEG or PNG

Video Ad Thumbnail Sizes

Video ads use a thumbnail image displayed before the video starts playing. The thumbnail should be a representative frame from the video:

Recommended size: 1280×720 px (16:9) — standard HD video thumbnail
Square format: 720×720 px (1:1)
Vertical format: 720×1280 px (9:16)
Maximum file size: 5 MB for thumbnail images
Format: JPEG or PNG
Video max file size: 1 GB; recommended under 30 MB for faster load

App Install Card Image Sizes

App install cards promote mobile apps and include a CTA button linking to the App Store or Google Play:

Header image: 800×320 px — the banner image at the top of the card
App icon: automatically pulled from the app store listing (512×512 px in the store)
Maximum file size: 3 MB for the header image
Format: JPEG or PNG

Twitter/X Profile and Header Images (Non-Ad)

For organic Twitter presence (not paid ads), these are the key image specs:

Profile photo: 400×400 px — displayed as a circle, so keep important content centered
Header / banner image: 1500×500 px — Twitter crops this differently on desktop vs. mobile. Keep important content in the center 60% of the image
Tweet images: 1600×900 px (16:9) is displayed without cropping in most views; 1200×675 px is also safe

Tips for Better Twitter/X Ad Images

Use 1200×675 px or 1200×1200 px for most ads: these sizes work across all Twitter placements — timelines, mobile, desktop
Keep text minimal: Twitter (unlike Facebook) has no official text overlay percentage rule, but ads with less text typically have higher engagement
Safe zones: keep critical content (logo, CTA, product) within the center 80% of the image — edges may be cropped on some devices
File size matters: compress images to under 1 MB before uploading — smaller files load faster and improve ad performance on mobile connections. Use image compression to reduce size
JPEG vs. PNG: use JPEG for photos and complex images (smaller files); use PNG for graphics with transparency or sharp text
Test square vs. landscape: square (1:1) images typically outperform landscape on mobile due to greater screen coverage — test both formats

Quick Reference: Twitter/X Ad Image Sizes

Image ad: 1200×675 px or 1200×1200 px, max 5 MB
Website card: 800×418 px or 800×800 px, max 20 MB
Carousel card: 800×800 px, max 20 MB per card
Video thumbnail: 1280×720 px, max 5 MB
App install card: 800×320 px, max 3 MB
Profile photo: 400×400 px
Header/banner: 1500×500 px

Use image resizing to scale your images to the exact dimensions required, then compress to keep file sizes within Twitter's limits.