Pinterest's algorithm penalizes pins with incorrect dimensions — they get lower feed placement and reduced distribution. Getting pin size right isn't optional; it's one of the easiest algorithm wins available.
Standard Pin Dimensions (2026)
The standard pin format is the workhorse of Pinterest content. It appears in home feeds, search results, and board grids.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1000 × 1500 px |
| Aspect ratio | 2:3 |
| Minimum size | 600 × 900 px |
| Maximum file size | 20 MB |
| Supported formats | JPG, PNG, WebP |
Why 2:3? Pinterest's feed layout is optimized for tall pins. A 2:3 pin takes up more vertical space, which increases visual real estate, dwell time, and close-up rate — all positive signals to the algorithm.
Square Pin Dimensions
Square pins (1:1) work for product catalog content and infographics. They perform slightly worse in feeds due to less vertical real estate, but they're the required format for certain board types.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1000 × 1000 px |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1 |
| Minimum size | 600 × 600 px |
Idea Pin Dimensions
Idea Pins (formerly Story Pins) use a vertical video/story format. They do not link out, but high Idea Pin engagement directly boosts your standard pin distribution.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1080 × 1920 px |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 |
| Maximum pages | 20 slides |
| Supported formats | JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV |
Video Pin Dimensions
Video pins play inline in feeds. They follow the same aspect ratio rules as image pins but have additional duration and bitrate constraints.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended aspect ratio | 2:3 or 9:16 |
| Recommended resolution | 1080 × 1920 px |
| Duration | 4 seconds – 15 minutes |
| Max file size | 2 GB |
| Supported formats | MP4, MOV, M4V |
| Minimum bitrate | 1,000 kbps |
Shopping Pin Dimensions
Shopping pins (product pins with pricing metadata) use standard pin dimensions but have an additional image quality requirement — product must be clearly visible without background clutter.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1000 × 1500 px |
| Aspect ratio | 2:3 |
| Background | Clean, uncluttered |
| Product coverage | 70%+ of image area |
Text Overlay Guidelines
Text overlays on pins are read by Pinterest's image recognition system and influence topic classification. Follow these rules to maximize readability and correct classification:
- 20–30% of image area — enough to be readable on mobile without dominating the visual
- Minimum 24pt font for titles, 16pt for body text
- High contrast — white text on dark or 50% opacity dark overlay on light backgrounds
- Position: Lower third of image preferred — avoids cropping in grid view
- Avoid text in top 10% or bottom 5% — these areas are cropped in thumbnail display
Why Image Dimensions Affect Algorithm Score
Pinterest's algorithm uses image metadata and rendering behavior as quality signals. Incorrectly sized images:
- Get cropped in grid view, reducing close-up rate
- Display at lower resolution on Retina screens, reducing perceived quality
- Render with black bars in video pins, signaling low production quality
The algorithm treats these as negative engagement signals and reduces distribution accordingly.
Get Algorithm-Optimized Pins in the Right Dimensions
PinGenius generates DALL-E pin images at the optimal 2:3 ratio (1000×1500px) with niche-matched compositions — no manual resizing, no cropping guesswork. Your pin arrives ready to post at spec.
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