LinkedIn Profile Picture Size and Resume Photo Dimensions

A great headshot can still look off if it's cropped or sized incorrectly for where it's going. Here's exactly what LinkedIn and most resume formats expect, and how to get your photo cropped to fit without cutting off the wrong part.

LinkedIn profile picture size

LinkedIn accepts larger square images and scales them down automatically, so uploading at 800×800 px gives you a sharper result on high-resolution screens without any downside.

Resume and CV photo dimensions

There's no single global standard for resume photo size the way there is for LinkedIn, since resumes are static documents rather than a platform-controlled display. A square or slightly portrait-oriented headshot around 2×2 inches (the same proportions as a standard passport photo) at 300 DPI for print quality works well within most resume layouts without overwhelming the page or looking awkwardly small.

Before adding a photo at all, it's worth checking regional and industry norms — in the US and UK, many employers prefer resumes without photos specifically to reduce unconscious bias in early screening, while photos are more standard practice in much of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Step-by-step: cropping your headshot correctly

1. Open a free crop tool.
2. Upload your photo.
3. Select a 1:1 (square) aspect ratio for LinkedIn, since it displays profile pictures in a circular crop of a square source image.
4. Position the crop box so your face is centered with a small margin above your head — LinkedIn's circular display crops the corners of a square image, so keeping the subject centered avoids losing important detail.
5. Download the cropped result, then use a resize tool if you need to hit an exact pixel dimension like 400×400.

Composition tips for a professional look

• Leave a small margin above the head — cropping too tightly right at the hairline looks cramped, especially once the image is displayed in a small circular frame.
• Center the face horizontally — slightly off-center crops are far more noticeable in a small circular profile picture than in a full-size photo.
• Keep the background simple — a busy background competes for attention at small display sizes; if your original photo has a distracting background, consider reshooting against something plain rather than relying on cropping alone to fix it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ideal LinkedIn profile picture size?

LinkedIn recommends a square image of 400×400 pixels, displayed in a circular crop. Uploading a larger square image, such as 800×800, also works well since LinkedIn will scale it down without quality loss.

Should a resume photo be a specific size?

There's no single universal standard, but a square or portrait-oriented headshot around 2×2 inches (similar to a passport photo) at 300 DPI works well for most resume formats without distorting the layout.

Should I even include a photo on my resume?

This varies significantly by country and industry. Many US and UK employers prefer no photo to avoid bias concerns, while it's more commonly expected in parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Check norms for your specific region and field before deciding.

Why does my LinkedIn photo look cropped strangely?

LinkedIn displays profile pictures in a circular frame, so if your uploaded image isn't already roughly centered and square, important parts (like the top of your head or shoulders) can get cut off in the circular display even though the full square image was uploaded.