Content Creation
Yasmina Akni Ebourki
Last updated: Oct 7, 2024
LinkedIn posts aren't meant to read like your old university textbooks.
They need to create instant visual impact while adding real value and clarity to your message.
Because here's the truth: if your post doesn’t hook someone in the first two seconds, they’ll scroll right past it.
One smart way to grab attention? Shake up your structure.
So, you’re ready to improve your content formats? Let me walk you through what actually works; and how to make it work for you.
TL;DR: The ideal LinkedIn post length is 1,500 to 2,000 characters. For documents, the recommended length is 8 to 25 pages, with a file size limit of 100 MB. For visual formats: image posts should be 1200 x 627 px, carousels work best at 1080 x 1080 px or 1920 x 1080 px, and videos can range from 256 x 144 px to 4096 x 2304 px.
What is The Optimal LinkedIn Text Post Size?
Let’s begin with LinkedIn’s most flexible format: the text post.
While you can write up to 3,000 characters, top-performing posts usually keep it much shorter.
Why? Because attention is limited, and clarity wins.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but based on top-performing posts, here are some key size and structure guidelines:
Text-only posts usually perform best between 1,200–1,500 characters.
Personal storytelling posts may stretch to 1,500, but make sure every line adds value.
Posts with media (videos, carousels, images) are often much shorter, 200 to 500 characters, since the visual carries most of the message.
Avoid dense paragraphs : use line breaks and formatting that guide the eye.
Build your post around one clear idea.
Study how top creators write: short, structured posts that get straight to the point and keep the reader engaged.
Why? Because attention is limited, and clarity wins. (Yes, it’s worth repeating.)
Finally, If you're just getting started with writing on LinkedIn, follow top creators like Lara Acosta or Justin Welsh.
Their posts rarely exceed 2,000 characters, yet they consistently drive engagement.
6 Ways to Format Your Posts to Improve Readability
Now, making sure your post is easy to read is equally important as your post size.
Here’s how to make your posts easy to scan and more appealing:
Use line breaks. Breaking up your text improves clarity and makes your content feel lighter. Harvard research shows that spacing helps readers process information faster.
Avoid ALL CAPS. They reduce legibility by creating blocky shapes that are harder for the brain to process.
Don’t underline text. It’s usually associated with hyperlinks and can confuse readers on platforms like LinkedIn.
Use bullets or numbered lists to structure information clearly; great for tips, steps, or frameworks.
Bold or italicize key phrases to guide the reader’s attention to the most important points.
Use emojis sparingly and intentionally. They can replace words, break visual monotony, or add tone, but avoid overusing them.
Before publishing, you can even run your draft through Hemingway. It’s a free tool that analyzes readability and flags overly complex sentences.
What are the Ideal LinkedIn Image and Video Sizes?
Now that we’ve covered text formats, it’s time to focus on the visual side of LinkedIn posts, because images and videos are what truly grab attention.
Visual content isn’t just for decoration; it’s a key part of generating engagement.
But to make the most of it, you need to use the right sizes and formats.
Here’s a quick guide:
The Perfect Image and Video Sizes for LinkedIn Posts
Image Posts
Recommended size: 1200 x 627 px.
LinkedIn Carousels (PDF format):
Ideal sizes: 1080 x 1080 px or 1920 x 1080 px.
Carousels remain one of the top-performing formats on LinkedIn, they consistently generate high reach and engagement.
Thanks to their visual and swipeable nature, they keep users interacting longer with your content.
LinkedIn Video Sizes
Minimum resolution: 256 x 144 px
Maximum resolution: 4096 x 2304 px
Optimal video length: Videos that perform best are between 30 seconds and 1 minute. However, for quick messages, aim for around 30 seconds. If you need more depth, you can extend up to 90 seconds.
Max duration: 10 minutes. The minimum duration is 3 seconds.
This format allows for dynamic storytelling and quick, impactful messaging, making it an effective tool for enhancing your content.
You can always download some LinkedIn videos and learn from their video structure.
By using the right formats and sizes, your visual content will not only look professional but will also be optimized for engagement on LinkedIn.
Remember, it’s not about choosing one content format over another, mixing images, creating carousels, and videos strategically will help you capture attention.
How the Right Text Formatting Drives LinkedIn Engagement?
Well-formatted text doesn’t just make your post easier to read, it makes your audience more likely to engage.
Formatting your posts in a way that’s easy to digest will naturally encourage likes, shares, comments, and most importantly, real engagement.
Here’s why formatting matters:
Readability: Using line breaks and short paragraphs makes your content easier to read and encourages users to engage, especially on mobile where space is limited.
Use of lists: People love quick, scannable content. Bullet points help break down information, making your post more engaging and easier to understand at a glance.
Highlight key points: Using bold or italics strategically can highlight critical insights and encourages your audience to focus on what’s most valuable.
Visual appeal: Spacing, line breaks, and even emojis (when used sparingly) can help break up the text, keeping the reader’s eye moving and increasing the likelihood of interaction.
A well-formatted post makes it easier for your audience to understand quickly and interact with your message.
The better your formatting, the more your audience will engage, and that’s the key to growing your presence on LinkedIn.
What Is the Recommended Document Size for LinkedIn?
Document posts are a great way to share valuable content visually and in more depth.
To share a document on LinkedIn, follow these guidelines:
Ideal Document Size: 816 x 1056 px (standard letter size).
Supported File Formats: PDF, PowerPoint, Word.
File Size Limit: Up to 100 MB.
Page Limit: LinkedIn supports documents of up to 300 pages, which is more than sufficient for most content types.
How to Share PDFs and Documents Effectively?
Sharing documents on LinkedIn is a great way to showcase your expertise and engage your audience. Here's how to do it effectively:
Start a New Post: Go to your LinkedIn homepage and click the "Write a post" option. Then, click the "Add a document" button.
Upload Your Document: Choose the document you want to share from your computer. LinkedIn supports PDFs, PowerPoint, and Word files.
Add a Compelling Title: Give your document a clear and relevant title that reflects its content. This will make it easier for your audience to understand what the document is about.
Click Share: Once your document is uploaded and the title is set, click "Post" to share it with your network.
6 Best Practices for Uploading Documents on LinkedIn
To get the most out of your document posts, keep these tips in mind:
Check the format: Ensure your document is in a supported format (PDF, PowerPoint, Word).
Size Matters: Make sure your file is under 100 MB. Compress the document if needed to avoid size issues.
Clear and relevant title: Choose a concise and attention-grabbing title for your document. This will increase visibility and encourage engagement.
Preview before posting: Double-check how your document will appear once uploaded to avoid formatting issues that could hinder readability.
Don’t overwhelm with length: While LinkedIn allows up to 300 pages, around 25 pages is typically enough to provide depth without overwhelming your audience.
Leverage LinkedIn’s document feature: Don’t forget to optimize your document for LinkedIn’s features (like previews) to grab attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best size for a LinkedIn post?
There’s no fixed size for text posts, but the sweet spot is typically 1,200–1,500 characters. It’s long enough to provide value without overwhelming your audience.
What is the upload size limit for LinkedIn content?
You can upload files up to 100 MB for documents, videos, and images. Make sure to compress your file if needed.
Does LinkedIn support 1080 x 1350 px images?
Yes! LinkedIn supports 1080 x 1350 px, especially for portrait-style images. This size helps occupy more vertical space and stands out in the feed.
What is the best size for videos on LinkedIn?
Square: 1080 x 1080 px
Vertical: 1080 x 1920 px (recommended for mobile)
Horizontal: 1920 x 1080 px
Max file size is 5 GB, with a max length of 10 minutes.
What size should a LinkedIn post image be?
Standard post image: 1200 x 627 px
Square image: 1080 x 1080 px
Portrait image: 1080 x 1350 px
What is the best size for a document on LinkedIn?
Documents should be sized to 816 x 1056 px, the equivalent of a standard letter-size page. This works best when designing in portrait format for easy readability.
What is the ideal size for a LinkedIn carousel?
You can use:
1080 x 1080 px (square, mobile-friendly)
1920 x 1080 px (horizontal, presentation-style)
Always save carousels as PDFs before uploading to maintain formatting.
