Key Takeaways:
- The recommended TikTok carousel size is 1080x1920px (9:16) or 1080x1350px (4:5)
- Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, and WebP
- Maximum slides per carousel: 35
- Keep all slides the same dimensions to avoid cropping
- Export at high quality because TikTok compresses images on upload
Getting the wrong image size on a TikTok carousel means cropped text, blurry slides, or awkward blank space. This guide covers every spec you need to get it right the first time.
TikTok carousel dimensions at a glance
Here are the two image sizes that work best for TikTok carousels:
| Spec | 9:16 (Full Screen) | 4:5 (Square-ish) |
|---|---|---|
| Pixels | 1080 x 1920 | 1080 x 1350 |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 | 4:5 |
| Screen coverage | Full screen | About 85% of screen |
| Caption visibility | Caption overlaps bottom of image | Caption shows below image |
| Best for | Visual-heavy slides, photography | Text-heavy slides, educational content |
Both sizes work. Your choice depends on how much text you're putting on each slide.
Which size should you pick?
Use 9:16 (1080x1920) when your slides are mostly visual. This fills the entire phone screen and gives your content maximum impact. The downside is that TikTok's caption will overlap the bottom portion of your image, so keep important text and elements in the upper 80% of the slide.
Use 4:5 (1080x1350) when your slides have a lot of text. This size leaves a gap below the image where TikTok displays your caption, so nothing gets covered up. Most educational carousels and listicle-style posts use this format.
If you're not sure, start with 1080x1350. It's more forgiving for beginners and keeps your text fully visible.
Supported file formats
TikTok accepts these image formats for carousels:
- JPEG (.jpg): Best for photos and colorful images. Smaller file size.
- PNG (.png): Best for text-heavy slides and graphics with sharp edges. Larger file size but no compression artifacts.
- WebP (.webp): Newer format with good quality at small file sizes. Supported on most devices.
If you're designing slides with text overlays, PNG usually gives you the sharpest result. For photo-based carousels, JPEG works fine.
File size and resolution
TikTok compresses every image you upload. Starting with high-quality files means your slides still look good after compression.
- Minimum width: 1080px. Anything smaller will look blurry on modern phones.
- Recommended export quality: Maximum quality in your editing tool (100% for JPEG, no compression for PNG).
- File size: Keep individual images under 20MB. In practice, a 1080x1350 JPEG at high quality is usually around 1-3MB.
If your images look blurry after uploading, the most common fix is increasing the export resolution. Don't export at 720p and expect TikTok to upscale it for you.
How many slides can you use?
TikTok allows up to 35 slides per carousel. But more isn't always better.
Here's what the data shows:
- 3-5 slides: Good for quick tips and simple lists
- 5-10 slides: The sweet spot for most content. Long enough to deliver real value, short enough to keep attention.
- 10-15 slides: Works for detailed tutorials and storytelling
- 15+ slides: Risky. Most viewers drop off before the end unless the content is extremely engaging.
If you're new to carousels, aim for 7 slides. That gives you a hook slide, 5 value slides, and a CTA slide.
For a full walkthrough of creating your first post, see our step-by-step carousel guide.
What happens when your images are the wrong size?
TikTok handles incorrect sizes in a few ways, and none of them are great:
- Too wide (landscape images): TikTok adds black bars above and below. Your image appears tiny in the center of the screen.
- Mismatched sizes within the same carousel: TikTok picks one aspect ratio and forces all images to fit it. This crops slides that don't match.
- Too low resolution: Images appear pixelated, especially on newer phones with high-density displays.
The fix is simple: use the same dimensions for every slide in your carousel. If you mix a 1080x1920 image with a 1080x1350 image, one of them is getting cropped.
Safe zones: where to place text and key elements
Even with the correct image size, some areas of your slide get covered by TikTok's interface elements.
Top of the slide: The username and "Following" button overlap the top-right corner. Keep important text at least 150px from the top edge.
Bottom of the slide (9:16 only): The caption, music info, and engagement buttons overlap the bottom 300-400px. Don't put important text here if you're using full-screen 1080x1920 slides.
Center is safe: The center 60-70% of the slide is always fully visible. This is where your main content should live.
Quick setup for popular design tools
Canva: Create a custom size of 1080x1350 or 1080x1920. Use the "Presentation" layout to design multiple slides.
Figma: Create a frame at 1080x1350 or 1080x1920. Duplicate frames for each slide and export as PNG.
PostWaffle: PostWaffle generates carousel slides at 1080x1350 by default. No size configuration needed. Slides are ready to post directly to TikTok.
Tips for keeping your carousels sharp
- Design at 1x, not 2x. Unlike app development, TikTok carousels don't need @2x assets. Design at the exact pixel dimensions (1080x1350 or 1080x1920).
- Use PNG for text-heavy slides. JPEG compression can make text edges look fuzzy.
- Don't add borders or frames. They eat into your already limited space.
- Test on your phone before posting. Preview how your slides look at actual size. Text that's readable on a laptop monitor might be tiny on a phone.
Need help with what to put on those slides? Our carousel tips guide covers hooks, CTAs, and engagement strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What aspect ratio is best for TikTok carousels?
The 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920px) takes up the most screen space and is what TikTok recommends. The 4:5 aspect ratio (1080x1350px) also works well and leaves room for your caption to show below the image without overlapping.
Can you mix different image sizes in one TikTok carousel?
Technically yes, but TikTok will crop or resize mismatched images to fit a single aspect ratio. This usually cuts off parts of your content. For the best results, keep all slides the same dimensions.
What is the maximum file size for TikTok carousel images?
TikTok doesn't publish an official per-image file size limit, but images should be under 20MB each. In practice, JPEG images at 1080px wide rarely exceed 2-3MB. If your file is too large, compress it or reduce the resolution.
Does image resolution affect TikTok carousel quality?
Yes. TikTok compresses all uploaded images, so starting with high-resolution files helps your slides stay sharp after compression. Use at least 1080px width and export at the highest quality your tool allows.