Medium Profile Picture Ideas, Size and AI Prompts
A good Medium profile picture is a friendly, recognizable headshot (or a consistent illustrated avatar) that appears next to your name on every story. Medium does not publish a profile photo size in the help pages we checked; upload a square of at least 400 × 400 px.
Last reviewed . Platform specs change, so check the platform's help page if something looks different.
Medium profile picture size and specs
- Shape
- Square upload, shown as a circle
- Official profile photo size
- Not found in Medium's help pages we checked
- Our recommendation
- 1:1 square, 400 × 400 px or larger
- Story images (different from your profile photo)
- JPG, JPEG, GIF or PNG up to 25 MBFrom the platform
Who looks for Medium profile picture ideas
Writers and publication owners who want an author photo that builds trust. Because it sits beside your byline, it works best when it matches your other profiles.
6 Medium profile picture ideas that work
Friendly headshot
A smiling, centered portrait makes the author feel approachable and credible.
Match your other profiles
Use the same picture as on LinkedIn or X so readers recognize you across the web.
Illustrated avatar
A consistent avatar suits pseudonymous writers who want a recognizable identity.
Publication logo
A simple logo mark works for a publication account on a solid color.
Natural, uncluttered background
A soft background keeps attention on you at the small size beside a byline.
Warm natural light
Soft daylight looks professional without feeling stiff.
Medium profile picture mistakes to avoid
- Logos on a personal author account
- Group photos or heavily cropped photos
- Blurry or very dark images
- A picture that does not match your other profiles
- Over-filtered faces that look unlike you
Copy this AI prompt for a Medium profile picture
Paste it into an image model such as Midjourney, ChatGPT or Gemini and replace the [brackets]. If your tool accepts a reference photo, add one so the result keeps your real likeness.
Create a square 1:1 author profile picture for Medium: a friendly head-and-shoulders portrait of [describe yourself], soft natural window light, uncluttered neutral background, warm approachable smile, face filling about 60% of the frame, photorealistic.
Want a prompt tailored to your look and model? Try the free prompt generator.
Medium profile picture FAQ
What size should a Medium profile picture be?
We could not find an official profile photo size in Medium's help pages. Upload a square (1:1) image of at least 400 × 400 px with your face centered, since it is shown as a small circle beside your name.
Should my Medium photo match my other profiles?
Yes. Using the same recognizable photo across Medium, LinkedIn and X helps readers confirm they have found the right author.
Can I use an avatar instead of a photo on Medium?
Yes, a consistent illustrated avatar is common for writers who prefer privacy. Use the same one across your profiles.