Skip to main content

Snapchat sizes

Snapchat is organized around 9:16 vertical content, but its organic and paid documentation do not publish one universal pixel size. The organic guides in this hub use a 1080×1920 authoring canvas; Snapchat for Business currently lists 720×1280 as the requirement for its core ad formats.

Safe areas also depend on the surface. Use the page for the exact format you are creating, and preview paid creative in Ads Manager rather than applying one fixed inset to every Snapchat asset.

Quick reference

FormatDimensionsRatioMax size
Story1080 × 1920 px9:165MB
Ad1080 × 1920 px9:16
Spotlight1080 × 1920 px9:1632MB
Profile Picture320 × 320 px1:15MB

Story1080×1920px

Snapchat Stories are 1080×1920 pixels in a 9:16 full-screen vertical format. All Snapchat content is designed for vertical, full-screen viewing — there's no landscape or square option for Stories. Images display for up to 10 seconds, and videos can be up to 60 seconds per snap.

Snapchat was the platform that popularized the 9:16 vertical full-screen format that Instagram Stories, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts later adopted. Every snap fills the entire phone screen, so there's no choice of aspect ratio — it's 9:16 or nothing. If you upload content that isn't 9:16, Snapchat will either letterbox it or crop it to fit.

Dimensions

1080 × 1920 px

Aspect ratio

9:16

Max file size

5MB

Formats

JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV

Safe zone: Snapchat overlays the username and timestamp at the top and swipe-up/action elements at the bottom. Keep critical content at least 150px from the top and bottom edges.

Best practices

  • Design at 1080×1920px — Snapchat is exclusively vertical. No landscape or square options.
  • Keep text and key visuals at least 150px from the top and bottom edges to avoid UI overlaps.
  • Image snaps max at 5MB. Use JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with text or transparency.
Full specs, tips, and FAQ →

Spotlight1080×1920px

Snapchat Spotlight videos are 1080×1920 pixels in a 9:16 vertical format. Spotlight is Snapchat's TikTok competitor — a feed of short-form vertical videos from the community. Videos can be up to 60 seconds long and are displayed in a full-screen, swipeable feed.

Spotlight is Snapchat's public-facing short video feed, similar to TikTok's For You page or Instagram's Reels tab. Unlike Stories (which go to friends), Spotlight is designed for broader discovery inside Snapchat.

Dimensions

1080 × 1920 px

Aspect ratio

9:16

Max file size

32MB

Formats

MP4, MOV

Safe zone: Spotlight overlays the creator name at the top and action buttons (like, share, sound) on the right side and bottom. Keep key content centered.

Best practices

  • Design at 1080×1920px (9:16) — same as all Snapchat content. Keep subjects centered.
  • Aim for a concise format that communicates the idea quickly in a vertical, swipeable feed.
  • Spotlight is public, unlike Stories — treat it like TikTok content for discovery.
Full specs, tips, and FAQ →

Profile Picture320×320px

Snapchat profile pictures are 320×320 pixels in a 1:1 square format, displayed as circles. However, most Snapchat users use a Bitmoji avatar instead of a traditional photo. You can set a custom profile picture by tapping your Bitmoji/avatar on the profile screen and selecting a photo from your camera roll.

Snapchat's profile picture system is unique among social platforms. By default, your profile shows your Bitmoji (Snapchat's personalized cartoon avatar) rather than a traditional photo. You can override this with a custom photo, but the Bitmoji remains the dominant convention on the platform.

Dimensions

320 × 320 px

Aspect ratio

1:1

Max file size

5MB

Formats

JPG, PNG

Best practices

  • Upload at 320×320px — displayed as a circle, so design within a circular safe zone.
  • Most Snapchat users use Bitmoji instead of photos — brands should use a custom logo for recognition.
  • The profile picture appears in Spotlight credits and story attribution — keep it recognizable at small sizes.
Full specs, tips, and FAQ →

Design any of these with Moda

Start a canvas at the size you need and let AI generate your design.

Start designing →

Frequently asked questions

What size is Snapchat content?

Snapchat content is generally 9:16 vertical. This hub uses 1080×1920px for organic Stories and Spotlight, while Snapchat for Business currently lists 720×1280px for its core paid ad formats. Profile pictures are square.

Does Snapchat support landscape or square content?

No. Snapchat is exclusively vertical (9:16). Non-vertical content will be letterboxed or cropped to fit the full-screen format.

What video format does Snapchat require?

For its core paid formats, Snapchat lists MP4, MOV, JPG, or PNG; Commercials use H.264-encoded MP4 or MOV. Check the exact content page for organic upload requirements.

What is the Snapchat ad safe zone?

Snapchat's public ad-format page does not publish one numeric safe zone for every format. Preview the selected format in Ads Manager and keep important artwork clear of interface overlays.

Guide last verified: August 28, 2026. This hub summarizes 4 formats and cites 5 sources across this page and the linked format pages.

← All sizes