LinkedIn Carousel Post Size Guide [2025]: Dimensions, Formats & Best Practices

LinkedIn carousel posts have become one of the most engaging content formats on the platform, with studies showing they generate 3-5x more engagement than standard posts. However, creating visually appealing carousels requires understanding the technical specifications and design best practices.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about LinkedIn carousel dimensions, file requirements, and design strategies to create professional, high-performing carousel posts in 2025.

What Are LinkedIn Carousel Posts?

LinkedIn carousel posts are multi-slide, swipeable content pieces created by uploading document files (PDF, PowerPoint, or Word) to your LinkedIn post. They allow you to tell a more comprehensive story than a single image or text post, making them ideal for:

• Showcasing case studies

• Presenting data visualizations

• Sharing step-by-step guides

• Highlighting product features

• Explaining complex concepts

• Repurposing long-form content

LinkedIn Carousel Dimensions and Specifications

Recommended Dimensions (2025)

For optimal display across devices, use these dimensions:

Square (1:1) is the most versatile format, as it displays consistently across desktop and mobile devices.

File Specifications

Technical Requirements

• Resolution: 300 DPI minimum for professional quality

• Color Mode: RGB (not CMYK, which is for print)

• Text: Vector-based text for maximum clarity

• Safe Zone: Keep important content 15% away from edges

• File Naming: Use a descriptive name without special characters

How to Create a LinkedIn Carousel Post

Method 1: Upload an Existing Document

1. Start a new post on LinkedIn

2. Click the document icon in the post creation toolbar

3. Select your PDF, PowerPoint, or Word document

4. Add a compelling title and description

5. Complete your post with relevant text and hashtags

6. Click "Post"

Method 2: Create a Custom Carousel from Scratch

In PowerPoint:

1. Create a new presentation

2. Set slide size to your preferred format (File → Page Setup → Custom)

3. Design your slides with consistent branding

4. Save as PDF for best quality

5. Upload to LinkedIn following Method 1

In Canva:

1. Select "Presentation" template

2. Set custom dimensions (1080×1080px for square)

3. Create your slides with Canva's tools

4. Download as PDF

5. Upload to LinkedIn following Method 1

In Adobe InDesign:

1. Create a new document with multiple pages

2. Set page size to your preferred dimensions

3. Design your content with consistent styling

4. Export as PDF with "High Quality Print" preset

5. Upload to LinkedIn following Method 1

Carousel Design Best Practices

Visual Consistency

• Use the same background colors, fonts, and styling across all slides

• Maintain a consistent layout structure

• Create a visual theme that connects all slides

• Use the same filter/editing style for all images

Content Formatting

• Limit text to 2-3 key points per slide

• Use large, readable fonts (minimum 24pt in your design program)

• Include ample white space around text and images

• Place your logo consistently on each slide (typically bottom right)

Engagement Strategies

• Use the first slide as a strong "cover" with an attention-grabbing headline

• Add slide numbers (e.g., "1/7") to show progress

• Include a clear call-to-action on the final slide

• Create a natural flow between slides that encourages swiping

Common LinkedIn Carousel Mistakes to Avoid

Technical Errors

• Inconsistent dimensions: Each slide should have identical dimensions

• Low-resolution images: Blurry or pixelated images appear unprofessional

• Scanned documents: These create accessibility issues and look unprofessional

• Too many slides: While LinkedIn allows up to 300 slides, 5-12 slides is optimal for engagement

Design Mistakes

• Overcrowded slides: Too much text makes carousels unreadable

• Poor contrast: Text that blends with backgrounds reduces readability

• Tiny fonts: Small text is difficult to read, especially on mobile

• Complex animations: These don't translate to PDF format

• Inconsistent branding: Varying colors and styles create a disjointed experience

LinkedIn Carousel Templates

Square Format Template (1080×1080 px)

This versatile format works well across all devices and is ideal for:

• Case studies

• Data visualization

• Process explanations

• Feature highlights

Template structure:

• Slide 1: Bold headline + supporting image

• Slides 2-5: Main content with consistent layout

• Final slide: Summary + call-to-action

Portrait Format Template (1080×1350 px)

This mobile-friendly format offers more vertical space and works well for:

• Step-by-step guides

• Before/after comparisons

• Quote collections

• Product showcases

Template structure:

• Slide 1: Strong visual + headline

• Slides 2-6: Content with top/bottom structure

• Final slide: CTA with contact information

Landscape Format Template (1280×720 px)

This format is ideal for desktop viewing and works well for:

• Presentation-style content

• Detailed explanations

• Timeline presentations

• Wide visuals or graphs

Template structure:

• Slide 1: Title slide with clear topic introduction

• Slides 2-7: Content with left/right structure

• Final slide: Summary and next steps

Advanced Carousel Optimization Techniques

Cover Slide Optimization

The first slide is crucial as it determines whether users will swipe through your carousel:

• Use a compelling headline (5-7 words)

• Include the phrase "Swipe to see more" or similar prompt

• Feature a high-quality, relevant image

• Add a visual indicator (like an arrow) pointing right

• Include the total number of slides (e.g., "1/8")

Narrative Structure

Effective carousels tell a complete story. Use these storytelling frameworks:

1. Problem-Solution-Benefit:

   • Slides 1-2: Identify a problem

   • Slides 3-4: Present your solution

   • Slides 5-6: Showcase the benefits

   • Final slide: Call-to-action

2. Data Storytelling:

   • Slide 1: Surprising statistic or finding

   • Slides 2-4: Supporting data points

   • Slides 5-6: Implications and insights

   • Final slide: Conclusions and next steps

3. How-To Framework:

   • Slide 1: What the reader will learn

   • Slides 2-6: Step-by-step process

   • Final slide: Results and CTA

Text Optimization

For maximum readability:

• Limit headlines to 40-60 characters

• Keep body text under 120 characters per slide

• Use bullets for easy scanning

• Employ the 3-second rule: If it takes longer than 3 seconds to read, simplify

Mobile Optimization

Since approximately 57% of LinkedIn content is viewed on mobile:

• Test your carousel on mobile before posting

• Keep text away from the edges (15% margin minimum)

• Use fonts that remain readable at small sizes (Sans-serif recommended)

• Ensure any charts or graphs are simplified for small screens

Measuring Carousel Performance

LinkedIn provides several metrics to evaluate carousel effectiveness:

• Document clicks: Number of times users clicked to view your carousel

• Click-through rate: Percentage of people who clicked after seeing your post

• Impressions per slide: How many people viewed each individual slide

• Average slides viewed: How far users typically swipe through your carousel

For deeper analysis, track:

• Which slide experiences the highest drop-off

• Correlation between carousel length and engagement

• Performance differences between square, portrait, and landscape formats

Tools for Creating Professional LinkedIn Carousels

Design Tools:

• Canva Pro: Offers LinkedIn carousel templates with correct dimensions

• Adobe InDesign: Professional-grade design tool for complex layouts

• PowerPoint: Familiar interface with good export options

• Google Slides: Free option with collaboration features

Specialized Carousel Tools:

• LiGo's Content Creation Platform: Includes LinkedIn carousel templates optimized for engagement

• Carousel Hero: Purpose-built for social media carousel creation

• SlideCraft: Specialized in data visualization for carousels

Related Resources

To enhance your overall LinkedIn content strategy beyond carousels, explore these related guides:

• LinkedIn Post Formatting: A Complete Guide with Templates - Learn how to format text posts that complement your carousels

• How to Write LinkedIn Posts About Complex Topics - Master the art of explaining sophisticated concepts across multiple carousel slides

• LinkedIn Content Analytics for B2B Services: What Actually Drives Client Inquiries - Understand how to measure the business impact of your carousels

• Best Time to Post on LinkedIn for Each Industry: Data-Backed Analysis - Optimize your carousel posting schedule for maximum visibility

• LinkedIn Content Repurposing: Turning One Idea Into a Month's Worth of Engaging Posts - Learn how to transform your carousels into multiple content pieces

• Is Posting on LinkedIn Worth It? Data-Backed Answer - Explore the ROI of different content types, including carousels

Need help creating engaging LinkedIn carousels that align with your content strategy? LiGo helps you develop cohesive content that drives results. Learn more here.

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