Twitch Profile Picture Size: Use a Clear Square Avatar
Updated September 2026 · By Joseph Pugliese, founder of Linklay
Last verified: September 7, 2026
Twitch account-settings guidance lists a 256 × 256 pixel profile picture reference and a 10 MB file limit. Use a square image with a simple centered subject because Twitch shows the avatar at small sizes across chat and channel surfaces.
Quick answer
Use a square Twitch profile picture and keep it within Twitch’s current file rules. Twitch account-settings guidance lists 256 × 256 pixels and a maximum file size of 10 MB, with GIF, JPG and PNG supported.
At a glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Published profile-picture reference | 256 × 256 px |
| Maximum file size | 10 MB |
| Supported formats | GIF, JPG, PNG |
| Best composition | Simple centered square |
What should you use?
A Twitch avatar is viewed much smaller than a banner or offline screen. That means visual simplicity matters more than squeezing detail into the square. Use a face, monogram or bold mark and keep it centered so it survives circular or compact presentation.
How Twitch handles this
If your original image is larger than the published reference, crop it to a clean square before upload instead of relying on an unpredictable edge crop. Do not place small text around the outside of the frame.
Practical guidance
The profile picture, 1200 × 480 profile banner and offline/video-player banner are three separate branding surfaces. Link them from one Twitch platform hub so a creator can move between the correct specs without confusing one asset for another.
Sources and verification
Verified against Twitch Help on September 7, 2026.
Twitch Help pages can show slightly different field details depending on locale, so check the upload screen if a value looks different.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Twitch profile picture?
Twitch account-settings guidance lists 256 × 256 pixels.
How large can the file be?
Up to 10 MB according to Twitch account-settings guidance.
What file types are supported?
GIF, JPG and PNG are listed.
Should I use the same image as my Twitch banner?
Use the same branding, but create a dedicated square crop for the avatar.
Sources
- Twitch Help, Twitch Account Settings https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/twitch-account-settings
- Twitch Help, Channel Page Setup https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/channel-page-setup?language=en_US