WhatsApp Marketing Message Image Size: Best Dimensions, File Limits and Design Tips
There are two different questions behind WhatsApp marketing message image size: the maximum file size WhatsApp accepts and the best pixel dimensions for an attractive marketing creative. They are not the same.
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Open WhatsApp Marketing →1. Official WhatsApp Cloud API media limits
Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform Postman collection lists these Cloud API media limits:
| Media type | Common supported formats | Maximum file size |
|---|---|---|
| Image | JPEG, PNG | 5 MB |
| Video | MP4, 3GPP | 16 MB |
| Audio | AAC, MP4 audio, MPEG, AMR, OGG/Opus | 16 MB |
| Document | PDF and common office document formats | 100 MB |
| Sticker | WebP | 100 KB in the current media table |
A marketing image can be much smaller than 5 MB and still look excellent on a phone. Smaller files are usually faster and easier to handle.
2. Practical marketing image dimensions
WhatsApp does not publish one universal pixel dimension that every promotional image must use. For everyday campaign design, these are practical starting points rather than official hard limits:
| Design | Suggested canvas | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Square | 1080 × 1080 px | Product offers, announcements, simple promotional cards |
| Portrait | 1080 × 1350 px | More screen presence and vertically stacked information |
| Landscape | 1200 × 628 px | Wide banners, events, product launches and web-style creative |
3. Design for a phone screen
- use large, readable type
- limit each creative to one main message
- do not place critical text too close to edges
- keep the offer, product and CTA visually distinct
- avoid adding long paragraphs inside the image
- compress before upload while checking text sharpness
4. Keep text in the message body too
Do not put the entire promotion only inside an image. A clear text body improves accessibility, gives customers searchable context and provides a place for personalization, offer details and the call to action.
5. Practical compression target
Although the image cap is 5 MB, aim well below it when quality allows. A clean promotional image of a few hundred kilobytes is often enough for excellent phone-screen quality. Export once, inspect the result on a real phone and avoid repeatedly re-saving low-quality JPEGs.
6. What should be in a marketing image?
Make the benefit obvious: discount, launch, event, restock or service.
Use recognizable visual identity without overwhelming the product or message.
Show the thing being promoted rather than relying only on decorative graphics.
“Shop now,” “Book,” “Reply,” or “Learn more” is usually enough.
To draft the accompanying message, use the free WhatsApp Message Template Generator.
Continue with message cost & pricing, message limits, image & media sizes, message template guide, or browse the complete resource hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum image file size for WhatsApp Cloud API media?
Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform Postman collection lists JPEG and PNG images up to 5 MB.
What image dimensions should I use?
WhatsApp does not publish one universal marketing-message pixel size. 1080×1080 square or 1080×1350 portrait are useful design starting points, not hard platform limits.
Can I send video?
The official Cloud API media table supports MP4 and 3GPP video up to 16 MB, subject to codec requirements.
Should I upload a 5 MB image just because it is allowed?
Usually no. Keep campaign images well below the maximum when possible so the user experience stays fast.
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