A LinkedIn profile photo is square and shown as a circle, often tiny: in search results, comments and message lists. No official rule says how to frame it, but the photos that work share three things. The face fills most of the circle, the background is plain, and the light is soft and even. This tool crops to a square with the head at a size that reads well in a circle, gives framing tips rather than pass or fail, and exports 800×800 and 400×400 PNGs.
Make and check a LinkedIn photo photo Free checker; files from A$6.99.
Specification
| Photo size | 40 × 40 mm (1.57 × 1.57 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels at 300 / 600 dpi | 472 × 472 px / 945 × 945 px |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 20–28 mm |
| Eye line from bottom | not specified |
| Head width | not specified |
| Space above the crown | not specified |
| Background | plain and light |
| Background editing | allowed as an opt-in |
| Glasses | allowed |
| Expression | neutral or a natural closed-mouth smile |
| Recency | taken in the last 24 months |
| Print requirements | no printed photo |
| Digital upload | 800×800 px JPEG (LinkedIn profile photo (sharp on high-DPI screens)); 400×400 px JPEG (LinkedIn profile photo (the commonly recommended size)); 800×800 px JPEG, 0–2 MB (Any profile that wants a JPEG) |
| Self-taken photos | accepted |
| Prints needed | none |
| Infant rules | eyes open, mouth closed (under 1) |
| Official source | LinkedIn Help |
Check the official source. Some values on this page could not be confirmed from the official page when it was last checked (2026-10-29).
- Headshots have no official specification. LinkedIn's member profile photo help page could not be fetched on 2026-10-29; the 400×400 recommendation comes from third-party guides citing LinkedIn.
Can I take it myself? Yes
Yes. No authority sets rules for a profile or CV photo, so anything that looks like you, is sharp and is well framed will do. A photo someone else takes from a couple of metres, at eye level, in soft window light, looks far better than an arm's-length selfie. The tool here gives framing tips rather than pass or fail, and exports the sizes each use expects.
How to take the photo
- Wear what you would wear to work. Plain colours photograph better than busy patterns.
- Stand a metre in front of a plain wall, facing a window. Overcast daylight is ideal.
- Have someone take the photo from about two metres at eye level, slightly zoomed in, rather than a close-up selfie.
- Relax your shoulders, turn your body slightly and face the camera; a natural closed or open smile is fine.
- Load it here, check the circle preview's framing tips and export the 800×800 PNG. Upload it on LinkedIn and adjust the crop there if needed.
Why LinkedIn photo photos get rejected
- Face too small in a circular crop. Use the head-size control; aim for the head to fill about 60 per cent of the frame.
- Busy background competes with the face. Stand in front of a plain wall or use the background option.
- Harsh shadows. Face a window; avoid overhead light.
- Low resolution on high-DPI screens. Export the 800 px version and let the platform downscale.
- Cropped through the top of the head. Leave a little space above the hair; the tool's crown allowance does this.
Infants and children
Not applicable to professional headshots. For a baby's passport photo, use the baby passport pages, which apply each country's infant rules.
What it costs
LinkedIn is free to update. Our Single licence (A$6.99, 30 days) covers every headshot size on the site as one document: LinkedIn, CV, Seek and team page.
LinkedIn photo photo FAQ
What size should a LinkedIn profile photo be?
400×400 pixels is the size most guides attribute to LinkedIn; uploading 800×800 keeps it sharp on high-resolution screens. The official help page could not be checked when this page was written.
Should I smile?
A natural smile usually reads as more approachable on LinkedIn. There is no rule either way.
Can I remove the background?
Yes. Headshots have no rule against it; choose a plain light colour.
Does the photo have to be recent?
It should look like you now. A photo that is years out of date surprises people when they meet you.
Why is the photo shown as a circle?
LinkedIn displays profile photos in a circle. Keep the head centred with space around it so the circle does not cut your hair or chin.
Is this a passport-compliant photo?
No. Headshots use guidance only. For an official document, use that document's page.
Last verified 2026-10-29 against LinkedIn Help. Spotted a mistake? Report an error.