X profile checklist: banner size, bio and pinned post
Updated
X recommends a 1500x500 pixel banner and a 400x400 pixel profile photo, in JPG, GIF or PNG (animated GIFs aren't supported). Beyond sizes, a strong X profile tells a stranger in seconds what you post about and why to follow. So use a clear photo, a specific bio of up to 160 characters, a relevant link, and a pinned post that shows your best work.
Sizes and limits come from X's profile help page and username rules, read on November 3, 2026. The advice is our own.
The specs
| Item | What X says |
|---|---|
| Header (banner) | 1500x500 pixels recommended |
| Profile photo | 400x400 pixels recommended |
| File types | JPG, GIF or PNG. No animated GIFs for these images |
| Bio | Up to 160 characters |
| Display name | Up to 50 characters |
| Username | Up to 15 characters, using letters, numbers and underscores |
Profile photo
- Use a clear photo of your face if you're a person. People talk more readily to a face.
- For a brand, use a simple logo that works at a small size.
- Keep it recognizable. It's what people will spot in their replies.
- Don't use an AI-generated face to pass as someone who doesn't exist. X's authenticity policy mentions AI-generated photos in deceptive fake personas.
If you have a checkmark, note that changing your photo, name or handle causes a temporary loss of it during a review.
Banner
The banner is free space that many people leave empty. Good uses include:
- one line stating what you do or what people get
- a screenshot of your product or your work
- a visual of your topic, if it's clear at a glance
Your profile photo overlaps part of the banner, and it can look different on phones and desktops. Keep key text near the center and check it on both.
Display name and username
Use the name people will search for. Your display name can include a short role, like "Sam Lee | Shopify speed," but only if it's natural. Don't stuff in keywords.
Pick a username that's easy to say and spell. Changing it often makes you harder to find.
Bio
Say what you post about and who it's for. Skip lists of titles and inspirational quotes.
- Weak: "Dreamer. Builder. Coffee lover. Views my own."
- Better: "I help small Shopify stores load faster. Posting one fix a week, with the numbers."
These are invented examples. We have 11 more before-and-after bios, and a free bio generator.
Avoid angle brackets and quotation marks, which can fail to display properly.
Website and location
Link to the one page you most want a visitor to see, such as your product, your portfolio or your newsletter. Make sure that page says what you do straight away.
Add a location if it matters, for example for local clients or for time zones. It's optional.
Pinned post
A pinned post is the first post people see on your profile. To set one, open the post's menu and select Pin to your profile.
Think of it as your pitch to someone who just arrived. Pin one of these:
- Your best performer on your main topic. Proof that others found it useful.
- An introduction. Who you are, what you post and two or three of your best posts.
- Your offer. If you sell something, say what it is, who it's for and how to get it. Artists might pin their commission details, and freelancers an offer for clients.
- A useful resource. A guide or template you've written.
Don't pin an old joke, a months-old announcement or anything that no longer represents what you do. Change it when you have something better.
Here's an invented introduction you could adapt:
I run a two-person bookkeeping firm and post what small business owners get wrong about taxes. A few to start with: [link], [link]. If you have a question, ask below, and I'll try to answer it.
The two-minute stranger test
Ask someone who doesn't know your work to look at your profile for 10 seconds, and then ask:
- What does this person post about?
- Who is it for?
- What would you get by following?
- Is there anything confusing?
If they can't answer the first three, fix that before you spend more time posting. Everything else you do on X, including your replies, brings people here.
Keep it fresh
Update it when your work changes, and whenever something better could be pinned. Every month or so, check that your link works and that your bio is still accurate.
Common questions
What is the X banner size?
X recommends 1500x500 pixels. It may crop differently depending on the device, so keep important content near the middle.
What's the X profile picture size?
X recommends 400x400 pixels, in JPG, GIF or PNG. Animated GIFs aren't supported.
What does a pinned post do?
It stays at the top of your profile, so it's the first post visitors see. It doesn't tell X's feed to show it to more people, as far as we know, and we didn't find it in the published scoring weights.
Why are some posts on my profile larger?
X says posts with more engagement may appear slightly larger, so your best content is easy to find.
How often should I change my pinned post?
When you've got something better. Once a month is a good time to check.
Next step
Run the stranger test today, then fix the first thing they get wrong. If you'd like help with what comes next, Repli's free plan includes an account audit and your first daily plan. It's read-only, and you post everything yourself. See the demo.