The OG image is the picture that appears when someone shares your link on Facebook, LinkedIn, Slack, WhatsApp or X. A missing or badly cropped one makes a link look untrustworthy and gets fewer clicks.
This guide gives you the right dimensions, file size targets and the safe-zone rule, plus how to fix a preview that will not update.
Key Takeaway: Make one 1200 x 630 image, keep important text well inside the edges, and compress it. That single file covers nearly every platform.
OG Image Size by Platform
| Platform | Recommended size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 x 630 px | Minimum 600 x 315; larger is sharper | |
| 1200 x 627 px | 1200 x 630 is fine | |
| X (Twitter) large card | 1200 x 600 px (2:1) | Crops slightly at 1.91:1 |
| WhatsApp, Slack, Discord | 1200 x 630 px | Smaller files preview faster |
Platforms change their rules from time to time, so confirm against each platform's current documentation if exact sizing matters. For regular post images rather than link previews, see our social media image sizes guide.
File Size, Format and Safe Zone
- Format: JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with sharp text. WebP is not read by every scraper, so JPG or PNG is the safe choice for og:image.
- File size: aim for under about 1MB. Some apps, such as WhatsApp, skip images that are too large, so smaller is safer.
- Safe zone: keep text and logos in the central area. Different platforms crop the edges slightly, and small thumbnails cut more.
Use the Resize tool to set the exact pixel size, then run it through the compressor. The compression guide covers quality settings.
How to Add the OG Image Tag
Add these tags inside the <head> of the page, using an absolute URL:
<meta property="og:image" content="https://example.com/og.jpg" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
The URL must be publicly reachable, not behind a login. It also helps to add og:image:width and og:image:height so platforms can lay out the preview before the image loads. More on this in our image SEO guide.
Why Your Preview Is Not Updating
Platforms cache link previews. After you change the image, clear the cache with each platform's debugger tool (Facebook Sharing Debugger, LinkedIn Post Inspector) and reshare. If the old image still shows, rename the file so the URL changes.
Pro Tip: Use a new file name each time you replace the image. A changed URL forces every platform to fetch it fresh.
Note: Recommended image sizes reflect published guidelines and common practice for each platform at the time of writing. Platforms change their layouts and limits without notice, so check the current official help pages before you publish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best OG image size?
1200 x 630 pixels. It fits Facebook, LinkedIn and most link previews, and it is large enough to look sharp on high-density screens.
What size is the Twitter (X) card image?
For the large summary card, 1200 x 600 pixels (2:1) matches exactly. A 1200 x 630 image also works but may be cropped slightly at the edges.
How big should an og:image file be?
Under about 1MB is a safe target. Very large files can fail to load in apps like WhatsApp or take too long to fetch.
Can I use WebP for og:image?
It is safer to use JPG or PNG. Not every platform's link scraper supports WebP, so a preview may not appear.
Why does my OG image look cropped?
Different platforms use slightly different ratios. Keep text and logos inside the central safe zone so nothing important is cut.
Summary: Use 1200 x 630, keep text in the safe zone, stay under about 1MB and use JPG or PNG. Resize and compress with the free Resize tool and compressor.