Everything You Need to Know Headshot Sizes
Ever notice how some headshots look crisp and professional on every platform, while others end up blurry, stretched, or awkwardly cropped? The difference often comes down to one crucial detail: size.
Use the wrong dimensions, and that polished photo you invested in could end up looking amateur.
This guide breaks down exactly what size you need, where you need it, and how to make sure your headshot maintains its impact everywhere it appears.
Size Matters (And Here's Why)
Different platforms have different size requirements, you’ll want to bookmark this section and come back to it whenever you’re about to post a headshot to LinkedIn, X, Instagram or Facebook.
Headshot sizes by platform
- LinkedIn: 400×400px (The holy grail of professional networking)
- X: 400×400px minimum (Because your hot takes deserve a sharp avatar)
- Instagram: 320×320px (Keep it clean, keep it crisp)
- Facebook: 400×400px (Yes, it still matters)
Headshot sizes for the ‘Print Purists’
- Standard Headshot: 8×10 inches at 300 DPI
- Digital High-Res: 1500×2100px (Future-proof your image game)
Headshot Sizing on Autopilot
The Bettershot Difference
Meet Rachelle, Bettershot's Co-founder.
"The biggest mistake I see? People taking amazing photos but destroying them with wrong sizing," she explains from her minimalist home office. "Someone will take a perfect headshot, then crush it down to tiny pixels for LinkedIn, or try to stretch a small photo into a giant banner. That’s why we built our AI to automatically optimize every headshot for different platforms – from LinkedIn’s 400x400 sweet spot to the high-res versions you need for speaking engagements. No more guesswork, no more pixelation."
The Secret Sauce: How to Nail Your Headshot
The Good
- Meet Calvin White, VP of Sales at Vault Credit:
Before: An old black-and-white photo from a business retreat back in 2019
After: Navy blazer, slight head tilt, subtle smirk – got new headshots for his whole team because it was too easy not to.
How to Actually Use Bettershot for Perfectly Sized Headshots
- Pick Your Base Photos
- Open up your phone and find photos with good natural light (outside, near a window or with a ring light)
- Pick 10 photos showing off different angles and backgrounds (this is where people get stuck but trust the process, it’ll be worth it!)
- Let our AI Do Its Thing
- Upload your pics
- Do your thing while our AI does its things to turn your casual shots into scroll-stopping headshots
- Pick your power poses from 70+ options
- Share your faves with friends to get their votes on your best look
Pro Tips That Actually Work
Platform-Specific Power Moves
- LinkedIn: Subtle authority (think: "I could buy your company, but I’m cool")
- X: Approachable expert (the "I post wisdom between closing deals" look)
- Instagram: Creative edge (because even professionals can be interesting)
A couple more tips
- Update your headshots often, now that you can (stay fresh, stay relevant)
- Use a few key versions for media, speaking gigs, and daily professional use
The Bottom Line
Your headshot isn’t just a box to check – it’s a power move. In a world where first impressions happen on screens, you can’t afford to look anything less than exceptional.
Those $800 photoshoots? They’re so 2023.
Try Bettershot and join the 1000s of professionals who are turning to AI for their headshots.