Last updated: April 28, 2026

GitHub Image Size Cheat Sheet 2026

Q: What size should a GitHub profile picture be?

GitHub recommends 500x500 pixels for profile pictures. The image is displayed at various sizes across the platform, from 40px in commit history to 500px on profile pages. PNG and JPEG formats are supported, with a 1 MB size limit.

Q: What is the GitHub social preview image size?

GitHub social preview images should be 1280x640 pixels (2:1 aspect ratio). This image appears when your repository URL is shared on social media, Slack, Discord, and other platforms. Set it via your repository's Settings > Social Preview.

Q: Does GitHub crop profile pictures?

Yes. GitHub displays profile pictures as circles. The full square image is stored, but only the inscribed circle is visible. Keep important content away from the corners to ensure it remains visible.

Q: Can I use a GIF as my GitHub profile picture?

GitHub accepts animated GIFs as profile pictures, but they are displayed as static images (only the first frame shows). For animated avatars, the image still needs to be square and under 1 MB.

GitHub uses profile pictures across the platform at sizes from 40px in commit lists to 500px on profile pages. Social preview images appear when repositories are shared on social media and messaging apps, displaying at 1280x640 pixels. FastEdit helps you prepare both with one-click presets that handle sizing and format automatically.

Start editing GitHub Profile Picture

Pick this preset, drop your file, and FastEdit starts from the GitHub Profile Picture dimensions, format, and file-size target.

GitHub Image Size Cheat Sheet

Profile Picture

500x500 PNG / JPEG Max 1 MB

GitHub avatar displayed across the platform. Shown as small as 40px in commit lists and up to 500px on profile pages. Use a square image with the subject centered.

Open GitHub Profile Picture preset →

Social Preview

1280x640 PNG / JPEG Max 1 MB

Repository social preview image. Displayed when a repo URL is shared on Twitter, Slack, Discord, and other platforms. Set via Settings > Social Preview in your repository.

Open GitHub Social Preview preset →

What can you create for GitHub?

Use these rows when you know the asset you need but not the exact settings. Each one points to the matching FastEdit workflow.

How to prepare GitHub Profile Picture

Open FastEdit with the GitHub Profile Picture preset selected, drop your file, then export to this row's target: 500x500, PNG / JPEG, max 1 MB.

github profile picture sizegithub profile picture dimensionsresize github profile picturecreate github profile picture

Open GitHub Profile Picture preset →

How to prepare GitHub Social Preview

Open FastEdit with the GitHub Social Preview preset selected, drop your file, then export to this row's target: 1280x640, PNG / JPEG, max 1 MB.

github social preview sizegithub social preview dimensionsresize github social previewcreate github social preview

Open GitHub Social Preview preset →

Before you upload

GitHub avatars are displayed as circles: keep the subject centered and avoid important content in the corners.
Social preview images should have a 2:1 aspect ratio (1280x640). Images with other ratios will be cropped.
Use PNG for avatars with transparency or sharp edges. Use JPEG for photographic social previews to keep file sizes small.
If no social preview is set, GitHub auto-generates one from the repo name and description. A custom image stands out much better in shared links.

FAQ

What size should a GitHub profile picture be?

What is the GitHub social preview image size?

Does GitHub crop profile pictures?

Can I use a GIF as my GitHub profile picture?