Social Sizes
Social Image Maker
Instagram Profile Picture Size
What is the Instagram Profile Picture Size? Your Instagram profile picture is one of the most important elements of your profile. It's your visual identity on the platform and appears everywhere - in the feed, on your profile, in comments, and in search results. Getting the size right ensures your profile picture looks sharp and professional on all devices. On this page you will find everything from the perfect size to use as well as free templates for the most popular design tools.
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What is the Instagram profile picture size in pixels?
An Instagram profile picture displays at 720 × 720 pixels. However, it's important to note that Instagram profile pictures are displayed as circles, even though you upload them as square images. The minimum size Instagram accepts is 160 x 160 pixels, but uploading at 720 x 720 ensures your photo looks crisp and professional on all devices, including high-resolution displays.
Your profile picture appears in several places throughout Instagram: next to your posts in the feed, in the Stories bar at the top of the app, in comments, in direct messages, and prominently on your profile page. Because it appears at different sizes in different contexts, uploading a high-resolution image is essential.
Why does my Instagram profile picture look blurry?
If your Instagram profile picture looks blurry, it's usually because the image you uploaded was too small or low quality. Instagram compresses all uploaded images, so starting with a high-resolution photo (720 x 720 pixels) gives Instagram more data to work with, resulting in a sharper final image.
Another common cause of blurry profile pictures is uploading a photo that's been heavily edited or saved multiple times, which degrades image quality. Always work from your original, highest-quality image file and save it as a high-quality JPEG or PNG before uploading to Instagram.
How do I create an Instagram profile picture?
There are many great tools you can use to create or edit your Instagram profile picture. Some of the most popular options include:
- Figma - Professional design tool with templates
- Canva - Easy-to-use with lots of preset templates
- Photoshop - Full-featured photo editing
- Illustrator - Perfect for logo-based profile pictures
- Sketch - Popular among designers
- GIMP - Free Photoshop alternative
- Affinity Photo - Professional editing at lower cost
If you're looking for a free alternative, you can use our 100% Free Social Image Maker to create all assets for your social media channels. This image maker already has the Instagram profile picture size available out of the box, so you don't have to look up the dimensions to get started. It's easy to use and receives regular updates and improvements.
Best practices for Instagram profile pictures
Your Instagram profile picture is often the first impression people have of your account. Whether you're a business, creator, or personal account, your profile picture should be instantly recognizable. Here are some tips for creating an effective profile picture:
- Use a high-quality, clear image (720 x 720 pixels minimum)
- Design for the circular crop - keep important elements centered
- Avoid text - it's too small to read at profile picture size
- For businesses, use your logo or a simplified version of it
- For personal accounts, use a clear photo of your face
- Use consistent branding across all social media platforms
- Test how it looks at small sizes before uploading
- Ensure good contrast so it stands out in the feed
Should I use a logo or photo for my Instagram profile picture?
The choice between a logo and a photo depends on your account type and goals. For businesses and brands, a logo is usually the best choice as it builds brand recognition and looks professional. Make sure your logo is simple enough to be recognizable at small sizes.
For personal brands, influencers, and creators, a photo of your face is typically more effective. People connect with faces, and using a clear, friendly photo can make your account feel more approachable and authentic. If you're building a personal brand, consistency is key - use the same photo across all your social media platforms.
What's the circular crop area for Instagram profile pictures?
While you upload a square image (720 x 720 pixels), Instagram displays your profile picture as a circle. This means the corners of your square image will be cropped out. To ensure nothing important gets cut off, keep all essential elements within the center circular area.
A good rule of thumb is to keep important content within a circle that's about 80% of the total square size. This leaves a safe margin around the edges. Before uploading, use a circular mask in your design tool to preview how your image will look when cropped.
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Can I change my Instagram profile picture without notifying followers?
Yes, you can change your Instagram profile picture at any time without sending notifications to your followers. Unlike when you post new content to your feed, changing your profile picture is a quiet update that won't appear in anyone's activity feed or send any notifications.
However, keep in mind that your profile picture is an important part of your brand identity. If you change it frequently, especially to something drastically different, followers might not immediately recognize your posts in their feed. For businesses and established accounts, it's best to keep profile pictures consistent over time.
What if the size changes?
Want to be updated about changes to the Instagram profile picture size? Then subscribe to updates at the top of the page. Put in your email and click the "Get notified" button. Then you will know exactly when the size changes.
If the dimensions of the Instagram profile picture were to change, it would be important to ensure that your profile picture is properly resized to fit the new dimensions. To avoid issues, it's a good idea to periodically check the recommended dimensions and ensure your profile picture is optimized for the current size requirements.
Learn more about Instagram Post Size and Instagram Stories Size on our other pages.
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