What size are profile pictures actually shown at?

Almost always a circle, often small enough that only the head is legible. Compose for the centre — the corners get cropped — and frame tight.

Why does my photo look muddy as a thumbnail?

Usually contrast. If your head does not separate from the background, the two merge into one shape once the image is small. Pick a background that contrasts with your hair.

Can I use the same photo everywhere?

Rarely well. A professional network expects a different register than a messaging app, and matching the place matters more than the objectively best photo.

Should the photo include other people?

No. A viewer cannot tell which person you are, and recognisability is the entire function.

A profile picture that still reads when it is tiny

The most-viewed photo most people own is usually a crop of something taken for another purpose. Almost every platform renders it as a small circle.

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Composing for a circle

Your profile picture is the most-viewed photo you own. It is usually a crop of something taken for another purpose.

Every platform crops to a circle

Almost always a circle, often small enough that only the head reads.

So compose for the centre — the corners get cut. And frame tight: head and the top of the shoulders.

Contrast makes a thumbnail readable

Your head has to separate from the background.

Dark hair on a dark wall becomes one shape when small. Light hair on a bright background does the same. Pick a background that contrasts with your hair, not one that looks nice full-size.

One face, and it should be yours

A group photo fails at the only job this photo has — nobody can tell which person you are.

So does a face behind sunglasses. Recognisability is the whole function.

Different platforms, different registers

One photo rarely suits everywhere. A professional network expects a different formality than a messaging app.

Matching the place beats picking the objectively best photo. See LinkedIn headshots and dating photos.

How to judge one

Upload three to five selfies, generate a few, then shrink them on your screen before deciding.

Most photos that fail as profile pictures look perfectly good full-size.

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Read the full answers

Covered in the press

TechCrunch, Forbes Australia, the Evening Standard and Khaleej Times have all written about Artisse, along with HackerNoon, Unite.AI, Tech Times and The Messenger. See the coverage

Common questions

What size are profile pictures actually shown at?: Almost always a circle, often small enough that only the head is legible. Compose for the centre — the corners get cropped — and frame tight.
Why does my photo look muddy as a thumbnail?: Usually contrast. If your head does not separate from the background, the two merge into one shape once the image is small. Pick a background that contrasts with your hair.
Can I use the same photo everywhere?: Rarely well. A professional network expects a different register than a messaging app, and matching the place matters more than the objectively best photo.
Should the photo include other people?: No. A viewer cannot tell which person you are, and recognisability is the entire function.
How do I judge a result?: Shrink it on your screen before deciding. Most photos that fail as profile pictures look perfectly good full-size.

Generate a few and judge them small

Upload three to five varied selfies, pick a profile or professional template, and compare at thumbnail size.

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A profile picture that still reads when it is tiny

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