Pinterest Pin Size: A Simple Guide for Beautiful Images

Designing Pins that disappear into the feed?It’s probably not the image, it’s the size and format. On Pinterest, visuals are everything, but if your Pins aren’t optimized for the platform’s layout, they’ll get cropped, ignored, or buried.

With millions of Pins posted daily, creating Pins that stand out isn’t just about looks, it’s about dimensions, file types, and choosing the right format for the right purpose.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the ideal Pinterest pin sizes, different types of pins, and tips for enhancing their engagement potential. By following these best practices, you’ll create professional and effective pins that boost your visibility and bring better results.

What is Aspect Ratio?

The aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image, expressed as two numbers separated by a colon. 

For instance, a 2:3 aspect ratio means your pin is 2 units wide and 3 units tall, a vertical rectangle commonly used on Pinterest.

Why does it matter?

Pinterest is a mobile-first platform, and vertical content performs best in its feed. Using the correct aspect ratio ensures that your pins:

• Display correctly without being cropped
• Occupy more space in the feed, which boosts visibility
• Maintain clarity across devices, especially mobile
• Are favored by Pinterest’s algorithm, increasing the chances of appearing in search and smart feeds.

Recommended Aspect Ratios on Pinterest:

• 2:3 (1000 x 1500 px): Ideal for Standard Pins. Best for blog posts, product highlights, and promotional content.
• 1:1 (1000 x 1000 px): Good for Square Pins or repurposed social content.
  
• 9:16 (1080 x 1920 px): Perfect for Idea Pins and Video Pins, optimized for mobile viewing.

Using improper aspect ratios, like wide horizontal formats, can result in pins being cut off, distorted, or underperformed in the feed. To stay Pinterest-friendly, always create pins within the recommended ratios.

Beyond the standard pin, Pinterest offers several formats, each serving a unique purpose. Understanding these pin types and their ideal dimensions will help you craft the perfect content for various marketing goals. Let’s explore the most effective pin types and how to make them work for your brand.

Types of Pinterest Pins

Pinterest offers a variety of pin formats, each designed for different content types and engagement strategies. Understanding these formats allows you to choose the right style for your brand’s goals, whether you're showcasing products, sharing tutorials, or crafting visually engaging stories.

1. Standard Pins

Standard pins are the most popular format, featuring a vertical layout that fits perfectly into Pinterest's feed. 

Recommended aspect ratio: 2:3 (1000 x 1500 pixels)

Ideal for: Product images, blog graphics, and promotional content.

2. Square Pins

Square pins create a cohesive and minimalist look for your brand.

Recommended size: 1:1 aspect ratio, (1000 x 1000 pixels), though creators can adjust based on design needs. 

Ideal for: Simple visuals and repurposed content from social media platforms like Instagram. 

3. Story Pins

Idea Pins, which have replaced Story Pins, are great for engaging users. These pins take up more screen space, making them highly engaging on mobile devices.

Recommended size: 9:16 aspect ratio. 

Ideal for: Step-by-step guides or behind-the-scenes content 

4. Video Pins

Video pins offer dynamic content opportunities, such as. They support flexible aspect ratios. 

Recommended size: 9:16 ratio at 1080 x 1920 pixels (mobile-optimized videos). 

Ideal for: Tutorials, product demonstrations, and storytelling

5. Carousel Pins

Carousel Pins allow you to include multiple images in one pin. Whether highlighting different product angles or presenting a step-by-step guide, Carousel Pins engage your audience interactively. 

Recommended size: 1:1 or 2:3 aspect ratio.
Ideal for: Storytelling or showcasing product collections.

6. Long Pins

Long pins are extended vertical graphics used to explain detailed processes or present infographics.

• Recommended max size: 1000 x 2100 px (aspect ratio around 1:2.1).
• Great for infographics, blog recaps, or checklists.
• Use them sparingly to avoid being cut off in user feeds—always preview before publishing

6. Collage Pins

Pinterest has recently started highlighting collage-style Pins, especially for shoppable content. These Pins combine multiple product images, lifestyle shots, and text labels in one cohesive visual.

• Why it works: Great for showcasing product bundles, styling ideas, or room makeovers.
• Best for: E-commerce brands, affiliate marketers, and fashion/home decor.
• Recommended size: 1000 x 1500 px (2:3 aspect ratio).

The following chart shows all the possible pin sizes:

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To ensure smooth uploading and optimal display, Pinterest recommends the following maximum file sizes:

• Image Pins: Keep under 20MB
• Video Pins: Keep under 2GB

Large files may slow down loading times or fail to upload, so optimize visuals without sacrificing quality.

By selecting the right format, you can better engage your audience and meet your marketing goals. Now, let’s explore how users discover your pins.

How Users Discover Your Pins

Even the most beautifully designed pin won’t succeed if it’s never seen. Understanding how users find your content on Pinterest helps you design and optimize pins with strategy.

Here are the primary discovery channels:

1. Pinterest Home Feed

This is the first screen users see when they open Pinterest. It’s algorithmically curated based on user behavior, past saves, and interests.

How to show up here:

• Consistently post fresh content.
• Use trending keywords and popular pin formats like Idea Pins and video.
• Design pins that encourage saves and clicks to signal relevance.

2. Pinterest Search

Pinterest is a visual search engine. Users type in keywords, and Pinterest shows results based on pin relevance and optimization.

Why it matters:

• Keyword-rich pin titles and descriptions improve discoverability.
• High-quality visuals and engagement improve ranking.
• Use long-tail keywords to reach niche, high-intent audiences.

3. Related Pins Section

When a user clicks on a pin, Pinterest displays visually and contextually similar pins below it.

How to be featured:

• Stay on-topic with clear visuals and copy.
• Use niche-specific keywords and image styles.
• Optimize for Pinterest SEO to match visual categories.

4. Shop Tab (for Product Pins)

If you’re using Rich Pins and have product metadata set up, your pins can appear in Pinterest’s Shop tab when users browse by category.

Boost your chances by:

• Enabling Product Rich Pins.
• Using clean product imagery and benefit-driven descriptions.
• Keeping pricing and availability metadata accurate.

Designing with discovery in mind ensures your pins don’t just look good, they get seen, clicked, and converted.

Now, let’s explore design strategies to ensure your pins are visually striking, shareable, and engaging for your audience.

Design Strategies

A well-designed pin stands out in users' feeds, making it more likely to be clicked and shared. Let’s explore key design elements to ensure your pins are as effective as they are visually appealing.

• Consistency is Key: Maintaining a consistent aspect ratio across your pins helps create a cohesive look for your Pinterest profile. This uniformity ensures that all your pins align with your brand, making your content easily recognizable.
• High-Quality Images: Quality is essential when designing pins. Use clear, crisp images to grab attention. Poor-quality visuals can make your pins look unprofessional and are less likely to engage viewers.
• Brand Identity: Incorporate your brand's colors and fonts into your pins. This not only makes your pins stand out but also strengthens your brand recognition and builds trust with your audience.

Mobile-First Design: Why It Matters

Did you know that 82-85% of Pinterest users access the platform via mobile?

That means your Pins need to be designed with small screens in mind, not just big ideas.

Here’s how to optimize your Pins for mobile-first performance:

• Use large, legible fonts: Small text gets lost on mobile screens.
• Keep high contrast between text and background: This improves readability.
• Stick to vertical formats (2:3 or 9:16): These maximize space in mobile feeds.
• Preview on mobile before publishing: Use Pinterest’s mobile preview or view your test pin on your phone to ensure everything looks crisp and click-worthy.

A pin that pops on mobile is more likely to be saved, shared, and clicked.

With these design tips in mind, let’s now explore how to enhance pin engagement by incorporating strategies to better connect with your audience.

How Can You Enhance Your Pin Engagement?

The more engaging your pins are, the higher your chances of boosting traffic, saving, and sharing, which ultimately drives success for your Pinterest strategy.

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Here are some tips to enhance your pin engagement: 

1. Text Overlays:

• Use bold, clear text to quickly convey key messages.
• Helps users understand the value of the content at a glance.
• Makes pins stand out in the feed and encourages clicks.

2. Use Video Pins:

• Incorporate video content into your pins to capture attention and increase engagement. 
• Significantly boost user interaction on the platform.

3. Utilize Rich Pins:

• Implement Rich Pins to provide more context and information directly on the pin.
• Enhances user experience and engagement.

4. Optimize Pin Descriptions with Keywords:

• Craft detailed pin descriptions using relevant keywords.
• Improves discoverability and attracts a targeted audience. 

5. Collaborate with Group Boards:

• Join and contribute to group boards
• Expand your reach and engage with a broader audience.

6. Call-to-Action (CTA):

• Include actionable phrases like “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Get Inspired.”
• Creates a sense of urgency or desire to take action.
• Increases the likelihood of clicks and further engagement.

7. Engage with Your Audience:

• Actively respond to comments and messages. 
• Build a community and encourage ongoing interaction with your pins.

With these strategies to enhance engagement in hand, let’s now explore how to optimize your pins for even better results.

Optimizing Pins for Effectiveness

To ensure your pins perform at their highest potential, it’s crucial to consistently optimize your strategies. Here’s how you can do it:

• Use Pinterest Analytics to gain insights into pin performance. Track key metrics like impressions, saves, click-through rates, and engagement.
• Analytics help you identify which types of content and designs are driving the most traffic.
• Regularly reviewing analytics ensures you can adjust your strategy based on real data, rather than guesswork.

Repurpose & Repost Tip

Don’t let your best Pins go stale. Every few months, create 2–4 fresh variations of your top-performing Pins.

• Change the layout, image, or headline.
• Update colors or add seasonal elements.
• Tweak the description with new keywords or a fresh CTA.

This keeps your content circulating in feeds, aligns with Pinterest’s preference for fresh visuals, and maximizes the lifespan of your winning content.

By optimizing your pins, you can fine-tune your strategy for maximum results. Now, let’s explore how PinMaker can aid you in creating stunning pins.

Create Stunning Pins with PinMaker

Designing captivating pins is easier than ever with PinMaker. Here’s how it helps you create high-performing visuals effortlessly:

• Customizable Templates for Every Pin Type: Choose from a wide range of templates tailored to fit different pin formats and aspect ratios, ensuring your content always looks polished and professional.
• No Design Skills Needed: Create stunning, high-quality pins with simple drag-and-drop tools—no graphic design experience is required.
• Save Time & Boost Engagement: Produce visually optimized pins in minutes, helping you attract and engage your audience more effectively.

Start designing beautiful, attention-grabbing pins today with PinMaker, and up your Pinterest marketing game!

FAQs

Q: What is the ideal Pinterest pin size for maximum engagement?

A: The best Pinterest pin size follows a 2:3 aspect ratio (1000 x 1500 pixels). This ensures that your pins display correctly without being cropped while maintaining high visibility and engagement.

Q: Can I create Pinterest pins without graphic design skills?

A: Yes! Tools like PinMaker offer easy-to-use templates that help you create high-quality Pinterest pins with no design experience needed.

Q: Why is the 2:3 ratio recommended for Pinterest pins?

A: The 2:3 ratio ensures that your pins appear correctly in the Pinterest feed without being cut off. It also maximizes visibility and engagement, as Pinterest favors this format in search results.

Q: What are Idea Pins, and how do they differ from Standard Pins?

A: Idea Pins (formerly Story Pins) allow you to create multi-page, immersive content with videos, images, and text. Unlike Standard Pins, Idea Pins do not include outbound links, making them ideal for storytelling and engagement rather than direct traffic.

Q: How can I make my pins more engaging?

A: Use high-quality images, bold text overlays, compelling descriptions, and a strong call-to-action (CTA). Adding video pins and using Rich Pins can also enhance engagement.