LinkedIn Carousel Size Guide: Dimensions, PDF Format, and Export Checklist
Use the right LinkedIn carousel size, PDF settings, slide count, and export checklist before publishing a document post.
A LinkedIn carousel is usually published as a document post: a multi-page PDF uploaded to LinkedIn so readers can swipe through each page in the feed. The right size is not only about pixels. You also need a clean PDF, consistent page sizes, readable text, and a first slide that works on mobile.
Direct answer: use 1080 × 1350 px when you want a taller portrait carousel with more feed presence, and 1080 × 1080 px when you want a square carousel that is easier to reuse across platforms. Export as a PDF for LinkedIn document posts, keep every page the same size, avoid animations, and check the final file before uploading. LinkedIn’s official document-upload help says supported file types include PPT, PPTX, DOC, DOCX, and PDF, with a maximum file size of 100 MB and 300 pages. LinkedIn Help document upload
Recommended LinkedIn carousel dimensions
LinkedIn’s official help page gives document file requirements but does not provide a single official “carousel design dimension.” In practice, most carousel tools and creators use one of two formats:
| Format | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | 1080 × 1350 px | More vertical feed presence, stronger mobile readability |
| Square | 1080 × 1080 px | Simple layouts, cross-platform reuse, safer templates |
| Landscape | 1920 × 1080 px | Presentation-style content, screenshots, webinar summaries |
Taplio and Typegrow both describe 1080 × 1080 and 1080 × 1350 as common LinkedIn carousel sizes, with the taller format often preferred for more space. Taplio carousel Typegrow carousel
The safest default: 1080 × 1350 px
For most SlideDrift articles, use 1080 × 1350 px as the default recommendation. It gives you more vertical space without forcing every slide to become crowded.
Use portrait format when:
- The carousel is educational.
- You have short paragraphs or step-by-step instructions.
- The reader is likely viewing on mobile.
- You need room for a large title and one supporting point.
- You want more visual presence in the LinkedIn feed.
A portrait carousel can still look bad if you overload it. A good slide usually has one job: define a problem, make a point, show an example, ask a question, or move the story forward.
When to use 1080 × 1080 px
Use square format when:
- You want to repurpose the carousel for Instagram.
- The content is highly visual.
- You have one sentence per slide.
- You prefer compact, poster-like layouts.
- The deck is built around quotes, stats, or short checklists.
Square carousels are less spacious, so they require more editing discipline. If a slide needs more than two short lines and one supporting visual, portrait is usually better.
PDF vs PNG: which should you export?
For a standard LinkedIn carousel, export as PDF.
LinkedIn’s document-upload guidance supports PDFs, recommends converting documents to PDFs where possible, and notes that PDFs with multiple layers should be flattened or merged. LinkedIn Help document upload
| Export type | Use it when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| You want a swipeable LinkedIn document post | Check that fonts, spacing, and slide order survived export | |
| PNG | You need individual images for other platforms or custom workflows | Uploading images to LinkedIn is not the same as a document carousel |
| Share link | You want someone to preview the deck outside LinkedIn | Do not use public links for private content |
SlideDrift’s own PDF export docs describe PDF as the recommended format for LinkedIn carousel posts and advise opening the final file to check every slide before uploading. SlideDrift export PDF
How many slides should a LinkedIn carousel have?
The best slide count depends on the idea, but most useful LinkedIn carousels sit between 6 and 12 slides.
| Slide count | Best use |
|---|---|
| 3–5 | Short opinion, quick reminder, simple quote sequence |
| 6–8 | Checklist, mini-framework, mistake post |
| 9–12 | Tutorial, case study, article summary |
| 13+ | Detailed guide, research summary, report extract |
LinkedIn allows far more pages than you should usually use. The official document limit is 300 pages, but a 300-page carousel is not a practical LinkedIn post. LinkedIn Help document upload
The better question is: how many slides does the reader need before the point becomes clear?
Slide-by-slide structure for a standard carousel
Use this 8-slide structure for most professional posts:
| Slide | Job |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hook: make the reader care |
| 2 | Context: explain why this matters |
| 3 | Problem: name the mistake or tension |
| 4 | Insight: give the main idea |
| 5 | Example: make it concrete |
| 6 | Framework: show how to apply it |
| 7 | Recap: compress the lesson |
| 8 | CTA: ask for a reply, save, follow, or action |
This is the structure SlideDrift should usually generate unless the source clearly calls for a case study, list, or hot take.
Typography rules for readability
Design dimensions do not matter if the text is unreadable.
Use these rules:
- Keep slide titles large enough to read without zooming.
- Use one core idea per slide.
- Avoid full paragraphs unless the carousel is intentionally essay-like.
- Use high contrast between text and background.
- Keep important text away from edges.
- Leave breathing room between title, body, and visual elements.
- Do not rely on tiny captions for key information.
A useful test: preview the carousel at mobile size. If you cannot read it quickly, the slide is too dense.
Readable slides usually have one idea, clear hierarchy, and generous margins.
LinkedIn document upload checklist
Before publishing, check:
- The file is a PDF.
- The file is under 100 MB.
- Every page is the same size.
- The first page works as a cover slide.
- The PDF is flattened if it has complex layers.
- There are no animations or embedded videos that need to play.
- The title clearly describes the document.
- The caption does not depend on an external link.
- The final slide gives the reader a clear next step.
LinkedIn states that videos and animations in documents are not supported and display as static images instead. LinkedIn Help document upload
A final PDF check prevents broken layouts after upload.
Size recommendations by content type
| Content type | Recommended size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Educational framework | 1080 × 1350 | More room for title, points, and examples |
| Checklist | 1080 × 1350 | Better readability for multiple items |
| Quote carousel | 1080 × 1080 | Clean and reusable |
| Research summary | 1080 × 1350 | More space for figures and interpretation |
| Product tutorial | 1080 × 1350 or 1920 × 1080 | Depends on screenshot shape |
| Cross-platform social carousel | 1080 × 1080 | Easier reuse outside LinkedIn |
How SlideDrift handles the format problem
SlideDrift is designed to reduce the number of format decisions you need to make. You can start from a URL, text, notes, or a rough idea, then review and export the carousel. The editor supports design controls, and the docs recommend reviewing the story, slide order, and layout before exporting. SlideDrift docs
Use SlideDrift when you want the format, structure, and export process handled in one workflow rather than jumping between a writing tool, design tool, and PDF exporter.
Final recommendation
Use 1080 × 1350 px as your default LinkedIn carousel size. Export as PDF. Keep every slide focused on one job. Check the final document before uploading. For reusable cross-platform carousels, use 1080 × 1080 px.
If you want to skip manual sizing and PDF setup, create your carousel in SlideDrift, review the deck, and export it as a LinkedIn-ready PDF.
FAQ
What size should a LinkedIn carousel be?
A practical default is 1080 × 1350 px for portrait LinkedIn carousels. Use 1080 × 1080 px when you want a square carousel that is easier to reuse across platforms.
What format should I upload for a LinkedIn carousel?
Upload a PDF if you want a standard LinkedIn document carousel. LinkedIn also supports PPT, PPTX, DOC, and DOCX documents, but PDF is usually the safest format for visual consistency.
How many pages can a LinkedIn document post have?
LinkedIn’s official document-upload help lists a maximum of 300 pages and 100 MB. For normal carousels, 6–12 pages is usually more practical.
Should a LinkedIn carousel be square or portrait?
Portrait is usually better for educational carousels because it gives more vertical space. Square is better for compact, visual, or cross-platform carousel designs.
