[FAQ]

I’ve been noticing that when I upload my photographs to X (Twitter), they sometimes seem to be losing a bit of sharpness and clarity compared to the original files. I’m a photographer, so the visual quality is really important to me.

I currently export everything as a high-quality JPG, but I’m wondering if using a PNG would be better to avoid compression artifacts. What’s the best workflow for getting the sharpest possible images on the platform? Does the aspect ratio of the photo make a difference to how it’s displayed in the feed?

[Jeff Bullas]

A great question. Navigating each platform’s unique image compression is a constant battle for quality-focused creators.

Brief Answer: For photographs on X, the best format is a high-quality JPG, not PNG. The platform’s aggressive compression handles a well-saved JPG more gracefully than the very large file size of a photographic PNG, often resulting in a sharper final image.

Your goal is not to upload a technically ‘perfect’ file, but rather to provide a file that is best optimised to survive X’s mandatory re-compression process with minimal damage.

The reason for this comes down to how the platform handles different file types. A PNG file of a photograph is lossless, which means the file size is enormous. When X’s algorithm sees this huge file, it aggressively compresses it to save bandwidth, which often results in visible banding and a loss of detail. A JPG, on the other hand, is a lossy format that you can control. By exporting your photo as a high-quality JPG (around 90-95% quality), you create a much smaller initial file. The platform’s algorithm then applies a gentler touch to this already-optimised file, paradoxically preserving more of the perceived quality. You should reserve PNGs only for simple graphics with flat colours and sharp lines, like logos or screenshots of text.

The dimensions of your image also matter for how it’s displayed in the feed. To avoid awkward timeline cropping, a 16:9 aspect ratio is the safest bet for a single landscape photo. For vertical photos, a 2:3 or 4:5 ratio will display well on mobile devices without being cut off. Sticking to these ratios ensures people see your composition as you intended, encouraging them to stop and read the text of your tweet.

This same logic applies to video content. It is always better to upload a video file that you have already compressed to a reasonable size with good settings, rather than uploading a massive, raw file and letting the platform’s algorithm make drastic and often poor choices for you.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Author]

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