How to Compress Images for Reddit (Posts, Avatars, Communities — 2026)
Last updated:
Quick Answer
Reddit image specs for 2026: Image posts — under 20MB, JPG or PNG, no dimension requirement but 1200×628px (landscape) or 1080×1080px (square) performs best. Community icon — 256×256px, under 500KB, JPG or PNG. Community banner — 1920×384px. Profile avatar — 256×256px. Reddit compresses all uploaded images — pre-optimizing to 500KB–1MB prevents Reddit's heavy-handed re-compression from visibly degrading your images.
Step-by-step
- 1
Post image: resize to 1200×628px (landscape) or 1080×1080px (square), JPG quality 82, target 300–600KB.
- 2
Community icon (subreddit): resize to 256×256px, PNG for logos, JPG for photos, under 500KB.
- 3
Community banner: resize to 1920×384px, JPG quality 80, target 300–500KB.
- 4
Profile avatar: resize to 256×256px, JPG quality 90, under 100KB.
- 5
Gallery posts: each image should be under 20MB. For gallery posts with 10+ images, compress to 500KB each for faster upload.
Expected output
Format
JPG for photos, PNG for logos and graphics
Quality setting
JPG quality 80–85
Estimated size
Post image: 300–600KB / Icon: under 500KB
Why you might need this
- →r/photography and art subreddits — 1200×628px at 600KB ensures maximum quality after Reddit's re-compression
- →Meme posts — 1080×1080px square JPG at 300KB for fast load in meme subreddits
- →Community icon for new subreddits — 256×256px PNG for sharp branding in subreddit header
- →AMA promotional images — 1200×628px landscape for event announcement posts
- →Product launch posts on niche subreddits — compressed to under 500KB to avoid Reddit quality loss
Troubleshooting
Reddit post image shows thumbnail instead of full image
Reddit generates thumbnails automatically. The full image shows on click. Your image is fine — Reddit just displays thumbnails in feeds.
Subreddit community icon is blurry
Upload at exactly 256×256px. If you upload at higher resolution, Reddit downsamples to 256px and results vary. Exact 256px gives the most control.
Reddit rejects my PNG post image
Reddit accepts PNG but some subreddits have posting rules requiring JPG. Check the subreddit rules. PNG over 20MB will also be rejected.
r/photography posts look lower quality on Reddit than on Instagram
Reddit's JPEG re-encoding is more aggressive than Instagram's. Pre-compress to 500KB JPG quality 85 — Reddit's re-encoding will then leave it mostly intact.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Reddit image upload size limit?
20MB per image for posts. Reddit recommends images under 5MB for best display quality. Community icons: 500KB max.
Does Reddit compress my uploaded images?
Yes, aggressively. Reddit re-encodes all images. Pre-compressing to 500KB–1MB at quality 82 matches or beats Reddit's output.
What is the best image size for Reddit posts in 2026?
1200×628px for landscape (matches link preview dimensions), 1080×1080px for square. Reddit displays at variable sizes depending on client.
Can I upload GIFs to Reddit?
Yes — Reddit converts GIFs to .gifv (their in-house format) automatically. For high-quality GIF posts, keep GIFs under 100MB and use FileCurve GIF Compressor first.
What is the Reddit community banner size?
1920×384px recommended. Reddit crops banners on mobile to approximately 1200×240px (center-cropped). Keep text out of the edges.