LinkedIn Marketing

LinkedIn Carousel Size Guide: Exact Dimensions, Formats & Specs

Matt
Matt
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

18 min read

Comprehensive guide with practical insights you can apply today.

Quick answer: LinkedIn carousel posts use 1080 x 1080 pixels (square) or 1080 x 1350 pixels (portrait). You can upload PDFs or multiple images with 2-20 slides. Maximum file size is 100MB for PDFs and 5MB per image.

Related LinkedIn guides: For all LinkedIn image specs see our LinkedIn image specs guide. Need carousel captions? Try our LinkedIn carousel caption generator. Resize images with the free LinkedIn photo resizer.

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LinkedIn Carousel Sizes Cheat Sheet

📐 Square Format (Recommended)

  • Dimensions: 1080 x 1080 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 1:1
  • Best For: Most carousel content
  • Display: Consistent on desktop & mobile

📱 Portrait Format

  • Dimensions: 1080 x 1350 pixels
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:5
  • Best For: More screen real estate
  • Display: Takes up more feed space
TypeDimensionsRatioMax SlidesMax File Size
Image (Square)1080 x 1080 px1:1105MB/image
Image (Portrait)1080 x 1350 px4:5105MB/image
PDF (Square)1080 x 1080 px1:1300100MB
PDF (Portrait)1080 x 1350 px4:5300100MB
Carousel Ad1080 x 1080 px1:11010MB/card

Upload multiple images directly as a carousel post:

  • Square: 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1)
  • Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5)
  • Landscape: 1200 x 627 pixels (1.91:1)
  • Slides: 2 to 10 images
  • File size: Maximum 5MB per image
  • Formats: JPG, PNG
  • Color space: sRGB

Square (1080 x 1080) gives the most consistent display across devices. Portrait (1080 x 1350) takes up more feed space but may crop differently on some views. For single image post specs, see the LinkedIn image specs guide.

🧠 Quick Quiz: LinkedIn Carousel Formats

Question: How many slides can a PDF carousel have on LinkedIn?

A) 10 slides

❌ That's the limit for image carousels. PDF carousels allow far more.

B) 50 slides

❌ Still too low. LinkedIn is quite generous with PDF document posts.

C) 300 slides

✅ Correct! PDF carousels support up to 300 pages, though 8-12 slides tends to be the sweet spot for keeping readers engaged.

Upload a PDF and LinkedIn converts each page into a swipeable carousel:

  • Page size: 1080 x 1080 or 1080 x 1350 pixels
  • Slides: 1 to 300 pages
  • File size: Maximum 100MB
  • Format: PDF
  • Resolution: 150 DPI minimum, 300 DPI recommended for sharp text
  • Color mode: RGB

PDF carousels have three advantages over image carousels: more slides (300 vs 10), consistent formatting with vector graphics, and clickable links on desktop.

  • Image size: 1080 x 1080 pixels per card
  • Cards: 2 to 10 per ad
  • File size: Maximum 10MB per card
  • Format: JPG or PNG
  • Headline: Up to 45 characters per card
  • Intro text: Up to 255 characters

Square vs Portrait, Which to Pick

Square (1080 x 1080)

Use for most content. It displays identically on desktop and mobile, works across platforms (Instagram carousels too), and most LinkedIn templates use this size. If you're not sure, go square.

Portrait (1080 x 1350)

Use when you want more screen space on mobile. The taller format works well for infographics, long lists, or content where vertical space helps readability. Portrait carousels take up more room in the feed, which can stop the scroll.

In Canva

  1. Create a custom design at 1080 x 1080 pixels
  2. Add pages for each slide
  3. Export as PDF

In PowerPoint / Google Slides

  1. Set slide dimensions to 1080 x 1080 pixels (28.575 x 28.575 cm)
  2. Design your slides
  3. Export as PDF

In Figma

  1. Create frames at 1080 x 1080 pixels
  2. Design slides as individual frames
  3. Export all frames as a single PDF

PDF Export Settings

  • Resolution: 150-300 DPI
  • Color mode: RGB (not CMYK)
  • Fonts: Embed all fonts or convert text to outlines
  • File size: Compress images if over 100MB

🧠 Quick Quiz: Carousel Design

Question: What's the minimum font size recommended for carousel text on mobile?

A) 12pt

❌ Way too small. At 12pt, text becomes unreadable on mobile screens, especially when the carousel is viewed in the feed.

B) 24pt

✅ Correct! 24pt is the recommended minimum. Your carousel will be viewed on small screens, so text needs to be large enough to read without zooming.

C) 36pt

❌ 36pt works great for headlines, but it's not the minimum. You'd run out of space quickly if all text was this large.

Design Do's and Don'ts

Do

  • Strong hook on slide 1
  • Minimum 24pt font for mobile
  • Consistent branding across slides
  • Number your slides
  • CTA on the final slide
  • High-contrast text on backgrounds

Avoid

  • Walls of text per slide
  • Tiny fonts unreadable on mobile
  • Inconsistent colors between slides
  • More than 20 slides
  • Low-resolution images
  • Skipping the first slide hook

How LinkedIn Displays Carousels

Desktop: Full post width with left/right arrows on hover. Slide counter at the bottom (e.g., "3/10"). PDF carousels show a download button.

Mobile: Swipe left/right. Fills screen width. Portrait carousels take up more vertical space.

Feed preview: The first slide appears as the thumbnail. LinkedIn adds a small icon indicating it's a multi-slide post.

Size guides:

Tools:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best LinkedIn carousel size?

1080 x 1080 pixels (square). It displays consistently on desktop and mobile, works as both image and PDF carousel, and is the standard used by most templates.

Can I upload a PDF as a LinkedIn carousel?

Yes. Upload a PDF as a document post and LinkedIn converts each page into a swipeable slide. Supports up to 300 pages and 100MB. Design each page at 1080 x 1080 or 1080 x 1350 pixels.

What file format should I use?

For image carousels: JPG for photos, PNG for graphics with text. For document carousels: PDF. PDF is generally preferred because it allows more slides, keeps formatting consistent, and supports vector graphics for sharp text at any zoom level.

How many slides should I use?

Image carousels support 2-10 slides. PDF carousels support up to 300 pages, though 8-12 slides tends to keep readers engaged without losing attention.

What is the difference between a PDF carousel and an image carousel on LinkedIn?

Image carousels let you upload 2-10 individual images. PDF carousels upload a single PDF file where each page becomes a slide, supporting up to 300 pages. PDFs also keep text sharp at any zoom level since they support vector graphics, and links within the PDF are clickable on desktop.

Can I use portrait (1080 x 1350) for LinkedIn carousel ads?

No. LinkedIn carousel ads only support square images at 1080 x 1080 pixels. The portrait format (1080 x 1350) is only available for organic image and PDF carousels.

Do LinkedIn carousels work on mobile?

Yes. On mobile, users swipe left and right to move between slides. The carousel fills the full screen width. Both square and portrait formats work, though portrait takes up more vertical space in the feed.

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