Substack specs
Substack profile photo size: 800×800+ square for masthead & about
Photo size & upload specs
- Pixel dimensions
- 800×800 or larger
- Aspect ratio
- 1:1 (square)
- File size cap
- Under 5 MB
- Ideal upload
- 1000×1000 to 2000×2000
- Formats
- JPG or PNG
- Circle-crop safe area
- Center for the masthead and about-page circle. Leave breathing room above the hair; skip busy backgrounds that muddy a small avatar.
Substack profile photos should be square at 800×800 or larger (1000×1000–2000×2000 is ideal), under 5 MB, JPG/PNG. The same file feeds the masthead, about page, and welcome email — often as a circle.
Center for the crop; skip busy backgrounds. HeadshotCam generates a creator-grade square — Writer, Brand Strategist, or Polished & Pro — that already fits.
Built for Substack Creator Headshot
800×800 or larger — sized for Substack
Upload 1:1 (square), 1000×1000 to 2000×2000 ideal, under 5 mb. JPG or PNG — no awkward zoom, no clipped chin.
Circle-crop safe framing
Center for the masthead and about-page circle. Leave breathing room above the hair; skip busy backgrounds that muddy a small avatar.
Edit with words
Type "remove glasses", "navy blazer", or "lighter background" — the AI updates the detail while your face stays the same.
High-res, no watermark
Download print-quality files — no tiny logos, no "made with" stamps in the corner.
Best styles
Our picks for Substack Creator Headshot.
Tips
- 1 Warm window light reads "thoughtful". Editorial classic.
- 2 Solid colour top, no logos. The photo is about your point of view, not the brand.
- 3 Use the same photo on Substack, Medium, Twitter / X, and LinkedIn. Recognition compounds subscribers.
- 4 Refresh per major brand pivot. Otherwise leave it alone.
FAQs
What size should my Substack photo be?
Substack expects 800×800 or larger at 1:1 (square), under 5 mb, in JPG or PNG. Practical upload: 1000×1000 to 2000×2000.
How do I keep my face inside the Substack circle crop?
Center for the masthead and about-page circle. Leave breathing room above the hair; skip busy backgrounds that muddy a small avatar.
Will it pass on Substack?
Yes. The output is a realistic likeness of you, not a cartoon or filter. Pick a Foundations or Corporate style and the photo reads as a normal studio shoot.
Can I keep my face exactly the same?
Yes — your face, hair, and skin tone stay locked. Only clothing, lighting, and background change.
How fast is generation?
Most headshots are ready in 5 to 15 seconds. You can iterate, then "Edit with words" for tweaks, all in under a minute.
Related
Create your headshot
Skip the studio. Pro headshots in seconds, from one selfie. Free to download on iOS and Android.
Free to download on iOS & Android
- Free download
- 1 selfie
- 5–15 seconds
- No watermark
Scan to download
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