Uploading a very small image
TikTok technically accepts images from 20×20px — but those will look completely blurry and pixelated on any modern screen. Always upload at 200×200px minimum, ideally much larger.
TikTok recommends a 200×200px profile photo — but there's more to it. Here's everything you need to look sharp on the world's fastest-growing platform.
Preview My TikTok Photo Free →No account needed · Instant preview
Quick Reference
Profile Photos
TikTok recommends uploading a profile photo at 200×200 pixels, though the platform technically accepts images as small as 20×20px (which will look terrible — don't do it). For the best quality across all devices and screen densities, upload the largest, clearest image you have.
Like Instagram and LinkedIn, TikTok crops profile photos into a circle. Your subject needs to be centred, and nothing important should be near the edges of your square image.
Your profile photo appears in multiple places on TikTok: your profile page, in the video feed next to your username, in comments, in Duets, in search results, and on the For You Page when your content is shown to new audiences. That's a lot of touchpoints — it's worth getting right.
Step by Step
TikTok compresses images on upload. Give it the best starting quality you can — at minimum 200×200px, but ideally much larger (like 800×800 or 1080×1080).
TikTok shows profiles as circles, so crop your image to a perfect square first. Use your phone's built-in photo editor, Canva, or any image editor.
Whether it's your face or a logo, it should fill most of the frame and sit dead centre. TikTok viewers will see this very small — make it count.
Use SocialPreviewing to see exactly how your image will look in TikTok's interface before you upload — on both mobile and desktop.
On the For You Page, your profile picture appears next to your video. Check that it still reads well against different types of backgrounds and content.
Common Mistakes
TikTok technically accepts images from 20×20px — but those will look completely blurry and pixelated on any modern screen. Always upload at 200×200px minimum, ideally much larger.
On the FYP, your circular profile photo floats over video content. Make sure there's enough contrast in your image that it reads clearly against both light and dark video backgrounds.
TikTok and Instagram often share audiences. If you use wildly different profile photos, it makes you harder to recognise and weakens your overall brand recognition across platforms.
TikTok profile photos appear tiny in the feed. If your face only takes up 30% of the frame, it becomes unrecognisable. Fill the frame and make a strong visual impression.
FAQ
TikTok recommends a profile photo of at least 200×200 pixels. The platform accepts images as small as 20×20px, but that will appear blurry. Upload the highest-resolution square image you have for the best result.
Yes. TikTok, like most social platforms, displays profile photos in a circular crop. Upload a square (1:1) image with your subject centred to avoid anything important being cut off.
TikTok does allow video profile pictures for some users (typically those with a certain follower count or on creator accounts). For standard accounts, static images (JPG/PNG) are the norm.
For TikTok ads, the profile photo should be 98×98 pixels with a maximum file size of 50KB. This appears next to your brand name in in-feed ad placements.
Use SocialPreviewing.com — our free tool shows you exactly how your photo will look in TikTok's circular crop before you upload it, so you can check framing and quality in advance.
See exactly how your photo looks in TikTok's circle crop — on mobile and desktop — before you upload. Free.
Preview My TikTok Photo →