Quick Reference

Standard Pin
1000×1500 px
Idea Pin
1080×1920 px
Video Pin
1000×1500 px
Infographic
1000×3000 px
Square Pin
1000×1000 px
Profile Picture
165×165 px

Standard Pins

Standard Pin (Recommended)

Dimensions: 1000×1500 px
Aspect Ratio: 2:3 (Pinterest's official recommendation)
Minimum Width: 1000 px (crucial for reach)
File Size: Under 5 MB recommended (20 MB max)
Format: JPG or PNG
Pro Tip: Pinterest officially recommends 2:3 aspect ratio. Other ratios may negatively impact performance. Pins under 600px wide get significantly reduced distribution. Always aim for 1000px minimum width.

Square Pin

Dimensions: 1000×1000 px
Aspect Ratio: 1:1
Performance: Lower than 2:3 pins
Use Case: Product photos, repurposed Instagram content
Pro Tip: Square pins work but take up less vertical space in feeds, reducing visibility. Use for product-focused content or when repurposing from Instagram, but prefer 2:3 for maximum engagement.

Infographic Pin

Dimensions: 1000×3000 px
Aspect Ratio: 1:3
Max Length: No strict limit, but 3000px is optimal
Use Case: Step-by-step guides, data visualizations
Pro Tip: Infographic pins are perfect for educational content, recipes, tutorials, and listicles. The extra vertical space allows for detailed storytelling. Ensure text is large enough to read on mobile.

Video Pins

Standard Video Pin (2:3)

Dimensions: 1000×1500 px
Aspect Ratio: 2:3 (recommended)
Duration: 4 sec - 15 min (optimal: 6-15 sec)
File Size: 2 GB max
Format: MP4 or MOV
Audio: Optional (videos autoplay muted)
Pro Tip: Video pins get 3x more engagement than static pins. Keep videos short (6-15 seconds) for maximum completion rates. Add captions since videos autoplay without sound.

Vertical Video Pin (9:16)

Dimensions: 1080×1920 px
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (mobile-optimized)
Duration: 4 sec - 15 min (optimal: 6-15 sec)
File Size: 2 GB max
Format: MP4 or MOV
Pro Tip: 9:16 vertical videos work great for content repurposed from TikTok or Instagram Reels. Takes up maximum screen space on mobile devices where most Pinterest browsing happens.

Idea Pins (Formerly Story Pins)

Idea Pin

Dimensions: 1080×1920 px (recommended)
Alternative: 1000×1500 px
Aspect Ratio: 9:16 or 2:3
Pages: 2-20 pages per Idea Pin
Video Length: Up to 60 sec per page
Format: Image (JPG/PNG) or Video (MP4/MOV)
Pro Tip: Idea Pins are Pinterest's most engaging format. They're full-screen, multi-page, and cannot link out (keeping users on Pinterest longer). Perfect for tutorials, recipes, and step-by-step guides. Use all 20 pages for maximum storytelling.

Idea Pin Best Practices

Cover Design: Eye-catching first page with clear value prop
Text Overlay: Large, readable text (mobile-friendly)
Content Flow: Build narrative across pages
Call-to-Action: Final page with next steps
Topics: Tag up to 10 relevant topics
Pro Tip: Idea Pins get prioritized in Pinterest's algorithm. They're especially effective for building followers since users can't click away. Use motion, music, and voiceover to increase engagement.

Profile & Board Images

Profile Picture

Display Size: 165×165 px
Recommended Upload: 400×400 px or larger
Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (Square)
Display Shape: Circle crop
Format: JPG or PNG
Pro Tip: Your profile picture displays as a circle. Center your logo or face and avoid important elements near edges. Upload at least 400×400 px for crisp display on high-DPI screens.

Board Cover

Dimensions: 1000×1500 px (2:3 ratio)
Alternative: 600×900 px minimum
Display: Uses first pin or custom cover
Format: JPG or PNG
Pro Tip: Custom board covers create a cohesive, professional look on your profile. Design branded covers with your logo and board theme. Consistent aesthetics increase follower trust and engagement.

Pinterest Ads Specifications

Promoted Pins (Static)

Dimensions: 1000×1500 px (2:3)
Aspect Ratio: 2:3 or 1:1
File Size: 10 MB max (PNG), 32 MB max (JPG)
Format: JPG or PNG
Pro Tip: Promoted pins look identical to organic pins. Use high-quality images with minimal text overlay (less than 20% of image). Test multiple creative variations for best performance.

Video Ads

Dimensions: 1000×1500 px or 1080×1920 px
Duration: 4 sec - 15 min (6-15 sec optimal)
File Size: 2 GB max
Format: MP4, MOV, M4V
Encoding: H.264 or H.265
Pro Tip: Video ads autoplay without sound. Add captions or text overlays to communicate your message. Hook viewers in the first 2 seconds to prevent scrolling past.

Best Practices for Pinterest Success

Vertical is King

Pinterest is a vertical platform. 2:3 ratio (1000×1500) performs best, taking up more feed space and getting more engagement. Avoid horizontal images unless absolutely necessary.

High-Quality Imagery

Use crisp, high-resolution images (minimum 1000px wide). Blurry or pixelated pins get suppressed by Pinterest's algorithm. Invest in quality photography or graphics.

Text Overlay (But Not Too Much)

Add descriptive text to pins so users know what they're clicking. But keep it under 20% of the image for ads, and ensure it's readable on mobile devices.

Brand Consistently

Include your logo (small, non-intrusive) on all pins. Use consistent fonts, colors, and style to build brand recognition. Pinterest is long-term; pins can drive traffic for years.

Mobile-First Design

80%+ of Pinterest users are on mobile. Design for small screens: large text, simple layouts, clear focal points. Test how pins look on a phone before publishing.

Rich Descriptions & Keywords

Pinterest is a visual search engine. Write detailed pin descriptions (50-500 characters) with relevant keywords. Use hashtags (3-5 per pin) strategically.

Fresh Content Wins

Pinterest rewards fresh pins over re-pins. Create new pins (even for the same URL) regularly. Try different images, titles, and descriptions for the same content.

Idea Pins for Growth

Idea Pins get prioritized in feeds and recommendations. Use them to build followers. While they don't link out, they establish authority and drive profile visits.

Optimize for CTR

Create curiosity gaps that make users want to click through. Use arrows, numbers, "before/after" comparisons. But never use clickbait; Pinterest penalizes misleading pins.

Pin Design Checklist

Before Publishing, Verify:

  • ✓ Dimensions: 1000×1500 px (2:3 ratio) for standard pins
  • ✓ File Size: Under 5 MB for fast loading
  • ✓ Text Readability: Large enough to read on mobile (48pt minimum for headlines)
  • ✓ Brand Elements: Logo placed subtly (bottom corner works well)
  • ✓ Color Contrast: Bright, eye-catching colors (reds, oranges perform well)
  • ✓ Focal Point: Clear subject in upper 2/3 of image (visible in feed crops)
  • ✓ Call-to-Action: Clear next step (e.g., "Get the Recipe", "Shop Now")
  • ✓ Face Test: Pins with faces get 23% more engagement
  • ✓ Description: 100+ characters with keywords and hashtags
  • ✓ URL: Direct link to relevant landing page (not homepage)

Colors That Perform Best on Pinterest

Research shows these colors drive highest engagement:

  • Red: Gets 2x more repins than blue
  • Orange: High energy, drives action
  • Pink/Coral: Especially for lifestyle, DIY, fashion
  • Avoid: All-blue images (lowest engagement), pure black/white