Your profile picture is often the first thing people see on LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Zoom or a work chat, and it's shown tiny. A few simple choices make it look clear and friendly even as a small circle.
The photo
- Face the light. Stand facing a window during the day. Light from behind makes your face dark.
- Head and shoulders. Your face should fill about 60% of the circle. A full-body photo becomes a dot.
- Eyes level with the camera. Hold the phone at eye height, an arm's length away, or ask someone to take it.
- Plain background. A wall, a hedge or the sky works. You can also remove the background later.
- Look like you do now. People should recognise you when they meet you.
The size
Sites crop your picture into a circle and show it small, but keep a larger copy. A square of 800 × 800 pixels works on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Zoom and Teams. Keep your face in the middle, because the corners are cut off.
Make it in a minute
The profile picture maker puts your photo in a circle. Drag and zoom to centre your face, then optionally remove the background and pick a colour or gradient behind you, add a ring, and add words along the ring such as “Open to work” or “Hiring”. Download it round (PNG) or square (JPG). Everything happens on your device.
For job applications
- Use the same picture on LinkedIn, your email and your CV (if you add one), so people know it's you.
- Need an official ID photo instead? The passport photo maker follows the size rules.