Checked on October 4, 2026. The profile picture minimum (20×20px) comes from TikTok Help (support.tiktok.com). Other values aren't stated as numbers in official docs, so they are marked as widely used, unofficial recommendations.
| Item | Recommended size | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Profile picture | Minimum 20×20px to upload; 200×200px recommended in practice | Minimum official / 200px unofficial |
| Video | 1080×1920px, 9:16 | Unofficial (industry standard) |
| Cover image | 1080×1920px, 9:16 | Unofficial (same ratio as the video) |
Why 9:16?
TikTok's player fills the phone screen vertically. A cover that matches the 9:16 ratio fills the screen without cropping. A 16:9 or square image gets black bars or a center crop.
Profile picture
- Start with a square image, at least 200×200 (larger is fine).
- Keep your face or logo inside the central 70%; the circle crops the corners.
- Use a simple background and skip text; it is unreadable at icon size.
- Save as JPG or PNG.
Need a simple mark? Try the Logo Maker.
Cover image
- Make a 1080×1920 canvas (the Image Resizer has a 9:16 preset).
- Put the key scene or title inside the central 60%; app buttons sit on the right and captions at the bottom.
- Use 2–5 bold words.
- Match the colors and font to the video.
Same size as Reels and Shorts
TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts all use 9:16. If you post the same video to all three, one 1080×1920 cover can be reused. Profile pictures vary a little by platform; a square between 200×200 and 640×640 works almost everywhere.
Good vs. bad
- Good: a 1080×1920 cover that fills the screen.
- Bad: a horizontal photo with black bars above and below.
- Good: face or logo inside the circle's safe area.
- Bad: text at the edge of the profile picture, cut off by the circle.
Common mistakes
- Reusing a 16:9 YouTube thumbnail as a TikTok cover.
- Putting words in the profile picture.
- Treating "official size" claims on blogs as fact when they are really conventions.
FAQ
What is the TikTok profile picture size?
TikTok only states a 20×20px minimum. In practice, upload a square of 200×200 or larger and keep the subject in the center because it is shown as a circle.
What size is a TikTok video or cover?
1080×1920 (9:16) is the standard. It matches the full-screen vertical player.
Can I use the same cover for Reels and Shorts?
Yes. All three platforms use 9:16, so one 1080×1920 image works, but check that nothing important is near the edges where each app places its buttons.