How to Convert Images for Facebook Posts and Ads
Facebook processes billions of images daily, and its compression is some of the most aggressive of any platform. Upload a beautiful photo and it can come out looking washed out, blurry, or full of compression artifacts. The key to getting sharp images on Facebook is understanding its requirements and preparing your files correctly before uploading.
This guide covers image format requirements for Facebook posts, ads, stories, and cover photos, plus techniques to minimize quality loss from Facebook's compression.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Know Facebook's format and size requirements
Facebook supports JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF. Maximum file size is 30 MB. However, Facebook converts everything to JPG internally, so uploading in JPG gives you the most predictable results. For photos, use JPG at 90-95% quality. For graphics with text or sharp edges, PNG produces slightly better results after Facebook's recompression.
- Use the right dimensions
Feed posts: 1200x630 pixels for link shares, 2048x2048 max for photo uploads. Facebook Stories: 1080x1920 pixels. Cover photo: 820x312 pixels on desktop (640x360 on mobile). Profile picture: 170x170 pixels. Ad images: 1080x1080 for most placements. Upload at these exact sizes to prevent unwanted resizing.
- Convert your images to JPG
Open imageconvert.co and drag your images onto the converter. Select JPG and set quality to 90-95%. For ad images, use the highest quality possible since Facebook's ad delivery system applies additional compression. Download the converted files.
- Upload and preview across devices
After posting, check the image on both the Facebook mobile app and desktop website. Facebook crops and displays images differently on each platform. Cover photos in particular display at different dimensions on mobile versus desktop, so ensure important content is centered.
Facebook's Image Compression Explained
Facebook applies its own compression to every uploaded image, converting everything to JPG at approximately 85% quality. This compression is visible on images with gradients, text, and fine details. You cannot prevent this compression, but you can minimize its impact by uploading high-quality source files at the recommended dimensions.
One known technique: if you upload an image that is exactly 2048 pixels on the longest edge, Facebook applies less compression than on other sizes. This is an undocumented behavior that photographers and social media managers have observed.
Optimizing Facebook Ad Images
Facebook ad images go through multiple compression passes as they are served across different placements (feed, sidebar, Stories, Audience Network). Starting with the highest possible quality is essential for ads. Use 1080x1080 pixels for the most versatile placement compatibility, JPG at 95% quality.
Facebook's ad guidelines recommend keeping text to under 20% of the image area for better delivery. While this is no longer a hard requirement, images with minimal text tend to perform better in terms of both delivery and cost per click.
Cover Photos and Profile Pictures
Cover photos display at different sizes on desktop (820x312) and mobile (640x360). Design your cover photo to look good at both dimensions by keeping important content in the center. For profile pictures, upload a square image at least 170x170 pixels. Facebook rounds the profile picture into a circle, so keep your face or logo centered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best image format for Facebook?
JPG at 90-95% quality for photographs and most content. Facebook converts all images to JPG internally, so starting with JPG gives you the most predictable results. Use PNG for images with text overlays or sharp graphics.
Why do my Facebook photos look blurry?
Facebook compresses all uploaded images to approximately 85% JPG quality. To minimize this effect, upload at the recommended dimensions (2048 pixels on the longest edge for photos) and at 95% quality. Avoid uploading images that have already been compressed.
What size should Facebook ad images be?
Use 1080x1080 pixels for the most versatile ad placement. This size works for feed ads, right column, Marketplace, and Stories. For link click ads, 1200x628 is optimal for the link preview card format.
Convert images to JPG for Facebook