Before we talk about the Twitter profile picture size, I’d like to clarify what  the profile picture is. It’s the image that appears in the top left corner of your Twitter profile page and next to every tweet you make.

Twitter Profile Picture size  | Twitter Avatar Example

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You don’t have to have one, but you will be taken more seriously by people on Twitter if you do. If you have branded your page (and we strongly suggest you do), your profile picture or avatar should also be part of your branding. If you are a business, you may wish to use your logo or product image as your profile picture. If you are an individual, you may wish to use an image of yourself. It’s a marketing opportunity that you should give thought to, because this is the image that will become associated with you and your brand. So you really want to make sure it looks clear and professional and is appropriate for your business.

Twitter Profile Picture Size

Whatever picture you choose to upload, it will be displayed at 6 different sizes depending upon where and when it is shown on Twitter:

1. 25 x 25px:

In the right hand column under ‘Following’, Twitter displays 10 profile pictures of your followers at this size.

 

 

 

 

2. 33 x 33px:

Twitter will suggest Twitter uses who have similar interests to you. Their profile picture at this size, will appear in the right hand column of your profile page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. 48 x 48 px:

This version is displayed longside your tweets and also when your tweet is retweeted. Therefore, this is the most viewed size.

 

4. 128 x 128px:

Your profile picture is viewable to visitors who are not logged into Twitter. In these instances, this is the profile picture size that will be shown.

6. The Original Picture Size:

If you double click on your own or someone else’s profile picture, from their profile page, Twitter would open up a new tab in your browser and this would be the picture size you would see.

 

 

Twitter automatically re-sizes whatever picture you upload. So you only have to upload your image once for it to be rendered to any of the above sizes.

Uploading Your Twitter Profile Picture

Currently, the Twitter profile picture size is limited to 700kb and can be formatted as jpg, gif or PNG. To upload you picture follow these simple steps:

 

 

 

• Log in to Twitter

• Click on the little down arrow in the top right hand corner of the page, next to your Twitter username.

• Select settings from the drop down menu.

• You are now on your Twitter settings page. Click on the Profile tab.

• Click the browse button and navigate to the file on your computer.

• Once you have found the file, click on it, click open

• And then click the save button.

• You should now be able to see a preview of your new image next to the browse button.

 

 

Good And Bad Examples Of  Twitter Profile Pictures

As mentioned earlier, your Twitter profile picture should be professional looking and clear. That doesn’t mean that you can’t use a cartoon or drawn image. The gif format used for animation is no longer supported by Twitter, so you can’t upload an animated image.

So, now that you are well versed with the Twitter profile picture, let’s look at some good and bad examples of profile pictures and logos:

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14 Tips for A Great Twitter Profile Picture:

• Make your face the centre of attention in portrait pictures.

• Make sure you image is well lit.

• Use an unfussy background.

• Try to avoid having other objects besides you in the picture.

• You can be creative E.g. looking up, down to the side.

• Make sure the picture is clear and not blurry.

• Take close up shots at arms length.

• You can use a caricature image of yourself.

• Give your image a decent file name. If your image is clicked from your profile page, the image name appears in the browser address bar.

• Avoid a full length profile picture, it won’t render well at the smaller sizes.

• Don’t use pictures taken on your mobile phone unless it’s a high resolution phone.

• Wordy logos will not be readable at the small image size

• Crop your logo with thought. It must still be recognized as your brand.

• Twitter allows a square shape for your profile picture. Create a new version of your logo if necessary.

  

  Original Logo

  

  Square Version

• Think about colour. E.g. Will pale grey text on a white background be readable?

• Keep your picture big. Let Twitter do the re-sizing.

• If you are going to change your profile picture from time to time. Make sure it is similar to your previous picture. So, if you use a close up picture of yourself as your profile image, use a different close up picture of yourself, so people can instantly recognize it as you. And point out that you have changed your profile picture. Maybe explain why or ask for opinions.

• Don’t just use it on Twitter, use it also on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, your blog etc.

What has been your biggest challenge with regards to your Twitter profile picture?

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What issues are you experiences with the Twitter Profile Picture Size?