Your Facebook profile picture is one of the first things people notice when they visit your profile or come across your comments. It serves as a digital first impression, so it’s essential to choose an image that represents you well. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover Facebook profile picture sizes, best practices, and answer the most commonly asked questions to help you create the perfect profile image.
Working out image sizes for Facebook often isn’t as easy as it could be. I have a more comprehensive Facebook photo size guide that covers a bunch of different places where images are used on Facebook. But here, I’m focusing specifically on Facebook profile picture size.
| Display Type | Display Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Desktop/Laptop web browser | 168 pixels |
| Smartphones | 128 pixels |
| Feature Phones | 36 pixels |
In the new layout, the Facebook profile picture displays under the bottom left corner of the cover photo, with a slight overlap. There has been a more recent tweak to slightly enlarge the Profile Picture. It now displays as a circle of 168 pixels.
It has a thin white line around it that’s applied automatically—you can’t remove that or control it.
Note that Facebook automatically crops and resizes your profile picture into a square, so choose an image that maintains its subject and composition when cropped.
But the good news is that you don’t have to upload a circular image, something that would be a bit of a pain to create. Instead, you can upload any regular rectangular or square image. Whatever shape the image is that you upload, it will be cropped to a circle when it is displayed.
Facebook Profile Picture Display Sizes
Desktop/laptop web browser. In a regular Page view, such as when someone is checking out your profile, it displays in a desktop’s web browser as a circle with a 168 pixels diameter. That’s a shade smaller than the Facebook Classic size, which was 170 pixels.
Phones. The size the profile picture displays on mobile phones varies by type of phone. On modern smartphones, it displays as a circle with 128 pixels diameter. On older phones, it displays at 36 pixels in diameter.
When up select a photo to add a profile picture, you’ll get the option to move the focal area around (assuming it’s not square) as well as zoom in and out (so long as it exceeds the minimum resolution).
The profile image that appears next to your name on comments and posts in the timeline is the same image and is still a circle, but it’s automatically scaled down to a diameter of 40 pixels.
Size Requirement for Facebook Profile Picture
Because it displays so small, you’re unlikely to run into an issue with image sizes, but as a general rule of thumb, it’s better to use a larger image than the final display size. That allows for the most flexibility for any design changes on Facebook’s part as well as display on different devices and layout.
How to Add or Change a Facebook Profile Picture Using a Web Browser
When you’re logged into your Facebook account, go to your main page. Click on the small camera icon at the bottom right of the profile picture–as you hover, it will overlay to a “change image” link.
You can then select from photos you’ve already uploaded or from something new you want to upload.
Once it’s uploaded, you can reposition which part of the image to use. Simply drag the circular part to the section you want to use.
The circle part stays put, but the background moves.
If you want to zoom in, use the slider at the bottom:
When you’re done, click the blue SAVE button.
Best Practices for Facebook Profile Pictures
To make your profile picture stand out and look professional, follow these best practices:
- Use a high-quality image: Upload a high-resolution photo that is not blurry, pixelated, or distorted. This ensures your profile picture looks crisp and clear on all devices.
- Choose a relevant photo: Select an image that accurately represents you, your brand, or your personality. This could be a professional headshot, a picture of your artwork, or a logo if you’re representing a business.
- Keep it simple: Avoid using overly busy or cluttered images, as they may not be easily recognizable when viewed at a smaller size.
- Be mindful of the background: Use a background that complements your image, making it easy to distinguish you from your surroundings.
- Update your picture regularly: Change your profile picture periodically to keep your account fresh and engaging.
Things Worth Knowing
- If you find that your resulting profile picture, after it’s downsized on Facebook, is blurry, try uploading an image twice the size of the downsized image (that is, an image that is at least 336 by 336 pixels; or, better, even larger than that). I’ve found that in many instances, that can give a sharper result.
- Unlike the Facebook cover area, you can’t use videos or animated GIFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a GIF as my Facebook profile picture?
Yes, you can use a GIF as your profile picture. However, it will not be animated and will be displayed as a static image.
How do I change my Facebook profile picture?
To change your profile picture, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your Facebook account.
2. Click on your current profile picture.
3. Select “Update Profile Picture” from the dropdown menu.
4. Choose a photo from your computer or device, or take a new photo.
5. Click “Open” or “Save” to upload your new profile picture.
Can I make my Facebook profile picture private?
While you can’t make your profile picture completely private, you can limit its visibility.
To do so:
1. Click on your profile picture.
2. Select “Edit” from the dropdown menu.
3. Change the privacy settings to “Friends” or “Custom” to limit who can view your profile picture.
Why does my Facebook profile picture look blurry?
If your profile picture looks blurry, it’s likely due to a low-resolution image or an incorrect aspect ratio. Ensure that your photo meets the recommended dimensions (400×400 pixels minimum) and is high-quality before uploading.
Can I delete my Facebook profile picture?
Yes, you can delete your profile picture. However, doing so will leave a placeholder silhouette image as your profile picture. To delete your profile picture:
1. Click on your profile picture.
2. Select “Options” from the dropdown menu.
3. Click “Delete This Photo.”
4. Confirm your decision by clicking “Delete” in the popup window.
How can I add a temporary Facebook profile picture?
To add a temporary profile picture, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your Facebook account.
2. Click on your current profile picture.
3. Select “Update Profile Picture” from the dropdown menu.
4. Choose a photo from your computer or device, or take a new photo.
5. Click “Open” or “Save” to upload your new profile picture.
6. Check the box that says “Make temporary” and choose the duration for which you want the picture to be displayed.
7. Click “Save” to confirm your temporary profile picture selection.
Can I add a frame to my Facebook profile picture?
Yes, you can add a frame to your profile picture. To do so:
1. Log in to your Facebook account.
2. Go to the “Profile Picture Frames” page. Or create one in an app such as Canva.
3. Search for a frame by keyword or category.
4. Click on the frame you’d like to add to your profile picture.
5. Adjust the frame size and position if needed.
6. Click “Use as Profile Picture” to apply the frame.
