Wondering what’s the best Pinterest Pin size?
You’re in good company. Pinterest is changing things up, and Pinners are confused.
What’s a Pinner to do? Well, let’s see what Pinterest says.
UPDATED with details from interviews and conferences with Pinterest in May–June 2018.
I keep my “finger on the pulse” of this important visual marketing concern, and promise that I have the latest info for you.
What does Pinterest say about Pin sizes?
Pinterest has been saying for years that the optimal Pin size is a 2:3 proportion.
For quite some time, that topped out at 736 x 1104 pixels, but they recently scaled down the size of the Pin when clicked. Now a 2:3 Pin will never appear larger than 564 x 846.
Pinterest says 600 x 900 pixels is optimal – or any 2:3 size.
In the same August 2017 webinar where they dropped a bomb about Pinterest hashtags, they also mentioned square images! For years they’d been saying 2:3 or taller, and now they were saying square up to 2:3 (1 1/2 times as tall as wide). This was new!
To confuse this a bit further: I’ve never found 2:3 Pins to be my best performers. In fact, my top blog posts for Pinterest traffic have tall infographics. This “infographics rule” stat extends to my top 12 of 18 posts for Pinterest traffic.
I had even started making my “regular” Pins taller than 2:3, because others have raved about how well tall Pins perform.
But now? Maybe not. Know what Pinterest called those feed-hogging, extra-tall Pins during that August webinar?
Giraffe Pins. And I don’t think they meant it in a cute way.
I think Pinterest is out to quash those space-hogging Pins.
PIN SIZE UPDATE! July 2018
In March, Pinterest confirmed that Pins longer than a 1:2.1 proportion will be cropped. While you may not see this yet, you should take this into consideration for your designs going forward.
In June, Pinterest said their algorithm will favor Pins that are approximately 2:3 proportion. Deviate much from that “golden ratio,” and you may struggle to get traction.
Pins longer than 2:3 will have to earn their right to be seen. If you take twice up as much height as a 2:3 Pin, you’ll need twice as much engagement to get into the Smart Feed as often.
As an example of the tall proportion that avoids being cropped in the feed, Pinterest says 600 x 1260 pixels. Longer Pins will still be seen in full when tapped.
Pins are organized into columns, so vertical Pins take up more space and tend to stand out more on our platform. The ideal aspect ratio for a vertical Pin is 2:3—600px wide x 900px high.
Square images—600px wide x 600px high—can work well, too. Pins longer than 1260px high will get cut off, and people will only see the entirety of the Pin when they tap it for a closeup. Pinterest optimizes Pins that fit within these preferred aspect ratios. source
OK, so what size should I make my Pins already?
I don’t think there’s ONE specific size you must follow.
I still believe in infographics! They still perform for me. In June 2018, NINE of my top Pinterest-traffic images are infographics.
Pins taller than 2:3 proportion must provide additional value. DO NOT stretch out a boring, text-based Pin to make a space-hogging “Giraffe Pin.”
Infographics and helpful multi-photo Pins (especially step-by-step “instructographics”) should continue to perform well.
I usually make my Pins the width of my blog’s content area, so I’ll continue to use 720 width. For an “optimal” 2:3 Pin image, that means 720 x 1080 for me.
I will still make and post infographics. For this post, I’m testing my old, taller Pin size against one that’s twice as tall as wide – AND a new “infographic” in a 2:3 shape! 👆
I’m no longer reluctant to post square quote images. I used to remake those in 2:3 shape! No more – though you can bet I’ll be keeping an eye on the stats.
Determine your best Pin size
I recommend making Pins no smaller than 564 x 564, 564 x 846 (2:3 and optimal), up to 564 x 1,184 (to not get cropped).
To make it simple, you can go with Pinterest’s 600 x 600, 600 x 900 (2:3 and optimal), and 600 x 1260 (to not get cropped).
Or go with your blog width and do some simple math: 1.5 x blog width.
Anything larger than 564 will be scaled down proportionally, so use the width that looks good on your blog.
Easiest: Best Pin sizes are square to twice as tall as wide.
| Pin Sizes | Pixel Dimensions | (choose any) | ||
| 1:1 Square pins | 564 x 564 px | 600 x 600 px | 735 x 735 px | 800 x 800 px |
| 2:3 Optimal pins | 564 x 846 px | 600 x 900 px | 735 x 1102 px | 800 x 1200 px |
| 1:2.1 Long pins | 564 x 1184 px | 600 x 1260 px | 735 x 1544 px | 800 x 1680 px |
What about collage Pins and infographics?
I’m sticking with infographics, where appropriate to my blog post. I do not expect their popularity to die down! Everyone loves a useful infographic – and when clicked, Pinners can still see the whole thing.
Even though long ones can be seen in their entirety once clicked, people get tired of scrolling. So, don’t make them 10+ times taller than wide.
I’ve had great success with splitting a tall infographic into several shorter ones. This gives you lots more Pins to share, multiplying your virality!
Examples:
- Facebook Insights infographics
- How to Design with the Force infographics
- Best Times to Post on Social Media infographics
If you make collage Pins with several products, or the steps to create a project, I suggest you test 2:3 Pins as well. See which Pins get more Saves and drive more traffic.
I would not continue making needlessly tall, “Giraffe Pins.” If you’re really tied to them, again I suggest you split test.
Most Pinners are reporting that Giraffe Pins are no longer performing as well as 2:3 shape.
Plus, space-hogging Pins are just obnoxious and many people won’t share them. 👋
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What’s the good news about Pin sizes?
If you make squares for Instagram, they will likely perform better on Pinterest than they have in the past.
If you post the tallest, portrait shape image on Instagram, these should also do well on Pinterest (8 x 10 proportion).
Note that the type of content that resonates with IGers isn’t always the same stuff that Pinners like! Quotes work well on both. But selfies are for Instagram and not Pinterest.
What Pin sizes perform for you?
I’ll keep testing and reporting back. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you’re finding to be the best Pinterest Pin size!
Hi Louise,
Thanks for the heads up about this! I’ve been using the 735×1104 size and they seem to perform well.
So, I guess I’ll be sticking with a 600×900 size going forward. Now I need to think about resizing my images – especially the ones that didn’t perfom well and see what magic happens. 🙂
Sharing this one for sure! Have a great week. 🙂
Cori
Hi Cori!
If the 735 x 1104 works for your blog layout, keep it. It will be sized down on Pinterest, but it’s the correct proportion of 2:3. It looks exactly the same to and on Pinterest as 600 x 900.
Hey Louise,
Thanks for the information. Pinterest is one of my biggest traffic source and not knowing about this update would have been a serious issue.
I was creating long images earlier but now they get hidden so I started experimenting with shorter 600 x 900 pins.
I’ll try 600 x 600 image sizes and will let you know the results.
Thanks again!
That would be great to hear! Best of luck with it.
Uh oh, I’ve been creating giraffe-sized portions. So far, the pins are doing well (I think) but I’ll keep an eye on it.
Sooooooo, I also happened to be reading blog posts from Tailwind (this one: blog.tailwindapp.com/traffic-from-pinterest/), and I noticed that the person they are referencing in their blog post is you! Talk about coincidence!
Yep, that’s me! 😀
Hi Louse,
Thanks for the heads up! I rolled out lots of giraffe-like pins in the past couple of months and they’ve been doing really well. Knowing that I have to create new ones with shorter margins feels like taking one step backward. I guess I have to cross my fingers and pray that they will perform just as the initial batch did. Thanks again.
Hi Virginia,
You know, if they’re working, keep doing it! I’d keep an eye on them though. I’ve heard a number of people who have moved to shorter pins say they’re doing better.
This is great, I have been looking for way to drive traffic from pinterest
It’s a great source of traffic.
Be sure to use your name if you comment again. We don’t allow keywords, so now you’re anonymous.
Hey Louise!
I recently started learning more about Pinterest for blog traffic. I keep reading about bloggers benefiting from this social network. So, I gotta give it a try.
I was looking on Google on the best Pinterest Image Size for blogging and there I stumbled upon your super helpful blog post here. You know your stuff, I must admit. 😉
I’m going to follow your Pinterest tips. I’m going to be using a 600×800 image size to promote my new blog posts on Pinterest.
Thank you so much for this information! Super helpful!
Best regards! 😀
Louise,
I am a freelance web developer. And it’s been a year I have started blogging. I search for traffic resource and got Pinterest one of them. I didn’t know the proportion of most pinnable image for Pinterest. I really appreciate your article. I am going to create 600×900 image size. Will let you know the update.
Thanks
Sounds good Anwer!
I found you because I was researching how to make those longer pins and what people use to make them. HA. Well, maybe I will just go back to my template and change up the font.
Thanks for the tip.
Perfect 🙂 Best of luck!
Hi Louise,
Do you design your pins at 2x for retina displays?
I do not. I believe those file sizes would be too large. Google loves a fast loading site! And Pinterest doesn’t recommend large pins either.
Hi Louise,
Thanks for the information, for now my best Pins is 735×1102, and sometimes I see that users like Pins 800×2000. I will try to post the Pins 600×900 and 600×1260, maybe it should be better.
Now Pinterest is the best source of traffic (excluding advertising in Google). It’s a great pity, that I can not use advertising in Pinterest.
Thank you for your tip 🙂
Hi Maria, the width doesn’t really matter, 735 x 1102 is the same proportion as 600 x 900.
800 × 2000 will be cut off in the feed though.
Why can’t you run ads?
Hi Louise,
Yes, now I see how does it work.
Well, we are not based in one of the 6 countries where you can pay for this advertisement. So while we do not have the opportunity to connect paid promotion, unfortunately.
Thanks
Ah. Maybe some day they’ll offer it there.
Hi Louise,
Thank you for this useful article!
So far I’ve been mainly focusing on Instagram, but I have been wanting to do more with Pinterest for a while.
I wonder if as a graphic designer you have any tips about the following: my illustrations and infographics become so pixelated when I upload them on Pinterest, they really don’t look good. Even when I pin them directly from my website where they look crisp.
Any thoughts about this? Thank you in advance!
Erika
Pinterest will compress images to low quality JPG no matter what you do. Crisp edges and red-magenta tones will show the most artifacts.
Oh that’s a shame! Especially for a platform that’s all about visuals.
Thanks for your quick reply Louise!
I use a service called Snappa and they help turn your blog or any type of image into a Pin ready image.
Its size is: 735px x 1102px.
Most of the services are using this previously-recommended size. The proportion is fine, however if you don’t need an image that wide I suggest you use Pinterest’s current recommendation.
Came off from Google as I was searching for the optimal pin size! Thank you for the information!
You’re welcome, Mridula! Nice to meet you 🙂
Hi Louise,
Thanks for this info.
Most of my pins are based on the previous Pinterest recommendation 735×1104. But I noticed that pins 600×600 do look better and seem to perform better.
Question: It is worth the effort to change old pin sizes?
Thanks.
There really should be no difference in how these 2 sizes perform. It’s probably the freshness of the new pins, and maybe some design improvements you’ve made, that cause them to perform better. So if you want to redesign your old pins, feel free to change the size… tho it really shouldn’t matter as long as they’re 2:3 proportion.
Wow.. You just solved my problem. I was actually planning some post for my blog, and Image size for pinterest was confusing me. So, I think 600×900 should be good option to be in safe spot.
Btw, whats your personal opinion which size works best for you?
Thanks,
Saurabh Ankush
There are too many factors to a pin’s success to say.
For those like me that has stationery cards with font text in their pictures, I found that the 2:3 final size of 564 x 846 works best. The idea is to provide Pinterest with an image size they won’t need to “resize”. Because when they do, the blurring is so bad that the text on the cards aren’t readable.
Thank you so much for your article too, it confirmed me which size were best and I will be going for 2:3 🙂
That makes sense to me. Have you noticed a difference? Mine are of various widths from 564 to 736 and I haven’t really noticed.
Hi Louise,
Thank you so much for this extremely useful information, all of your posts have been very informative – us newbs appreciate it greatly! I have not yet posted any of my blog articles on Pinterest but might attempt it soon. One thing that I’m uncertain of, do I need to place the image in my actual blog article too? I’m hesitant to do so as that 2:3 ratio image will look out of place there. Also, many articles mention using an A/B format so there might be more than one. Do you have any recommendations on how to avoid adding the Pinned image to the page?
Thanks in advance,
Elle
I sure do! Several ideas here:
https://louisem.com/238716/hide-pinterest-images-blog
Think about placing a Pin image at the bottom of the post if you’re concerned about splitting the post content. Most people won’t pin your post if they don’t see a Pin.
Thanks, Louise! I’ve only started really focusing on Pinterest as I’ve been tinkering around with different styles, and one finally hit the mark – garnering some nice traffic. Question for you…do you post multiple pins (different styles) from the blog post? I see different responses to this and would love to hear your thoughts.
Pinterest itself says to do this! No reason to poll others – so much misinformation online 🙁
Best of luck Traci!
Thank you so much for this extremely useful information. There’s so much misinformation, or dumb down of how to use Pinterest out there.
I have a question for you: I sell some stock illustrations. How do I pin them to let more people discover my work? Most of the illustrations are landscape size. Cropping would probably ruin the composition. Should I combine several illustrations in 1 artboard to make it vertical for pinning?
You could combine 2 with a section of text in the middle. I recommend also cropping some to 2×3 to see which perform better.
Thanks so much! It was very helpful!
Thank you very much Louise! Indeed, I got a resourceful post on the pin size.
But I was wondering how about 1080px by 1080px? It’s a square shape. It’ll usually cut down in the feed, isn’t it?
Actually, I would like to request some guidance for my promoting movie review blog on Pinterest. The images of my blog aren’t in 2:3 ratio.
Thanks in advance.
You can try to “Pin” those square images. They shouldn’t be cut in the feed, just less noticeable than a 2:3 shape.
Obrigada pela informação com este maravilhoso post! estava meio sem saber como estava as medidas para os pins para este ano, vou seguir suas dicas e fazer novas artes com os tamanhos que você ensinou!
Obrigada!
Very interesting and useful post! Thank you, Louise.
I was still operating under old the assumption that “giraffe” posts were best, but I’m glad I decided to do some research first. You just saved me a lot of headache, lost time and quite possibly, massive frustration.
I’m going to try a few of the long posts to see how they do, but my focus for now is now going to be on the 2:3 ratio model. Will check back in later if I have any startling discoveries or realizations. 😉
I look forward to hearing your results!