Photo guidelines
How to get crisp, well-framed photos everywhere they appear.
When you add a photo, we let you frame it to the right shape first, then save that framed version. That way your photo looks the same — and your subject stays in view — on every screen, whether you’re on the website or the mobile app. Here’s what to expect.
Shapes & sizes by type
Each kind of photo is cropped to a fixed shape so cards and banners line up neatly:
| Photo | Shape | Best size (or larger) |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace listing photos (up to 8) | 4:3 landscape | 1600 × 1200 |
| Event, news & fundraiser covers | 16:9 wide banner | 1600 × 900 |
| Business & community logos | 1:1 square | 1024 × 1024 |
| Chat photos | Any — not cropped | Shown in full |
You can zoom and drag to choose exactly what’s in frame before saving.
Formats & file size
- We accept JPEG, PNG, WebP, and HEIC (the format iPhones use).
- Maximum file size is 10 MB. We automatically shrink large photos for you before they upload, so most end up well under that.
- Logos are saved as PNG so a transparent background stays transparent.
Why was my photo rejected?
“This photo is too small.”
For a sharp result, photos need a minimum resolution — at least 1080 × 810 for listings, 1280 × 720 for covers, and 512 × 512 for logos. Zoom out in the cropper, or pick a higher-resolution image. (Zooming in too far on a small photo can also push it under the minimum.)
“Couldn’t read this image” on a computer.
Desktop browsers can’t open Apple’s HEIC photos. On a computer, export the photo as JPEG first — or just upload it straight from your phone, where HEIC works fine.
Tips for the best-looking photos
- Start with the highest-resolution photo you have — you can always crop down, but not up.
- Keep the subject roughly centered so it survives the crop on every screen.
- For covers, choose a wide shot with room on the sides; for logos, a clean square works best.
- Good lighting and a simple background make listings and covers pop.
On mobile
The mobile apps follow these same shapes and sizes, so a photo you add on your phone looks identical on the website and vice-versa. This page works on your phone too — you can open it any time from a photo field.
Need more help? Reach your community’s admins, or contact us through Settings.