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How to Edit Photos for Pinterest

6 min read
Quick Answer

To edit photos for Pinterest, resize your image to 1000x1500 pixels (2:3 aspect ratio) for standard pins. Upload to EditThisPic and describe the edit: 'resize for Pinterest,' 'extend the background for a tall pin,' or 'make the colors bright and saturated for Pinterest.' The AI handles resizing, background extension, and color enhancement in seconds. Free, no signup required.

Why Pinterest Photos Need Different Editing

Pinterest is a visual search engine, not just a social media feed. Pins compete for clicks in a dense masonry grid where tall, vertical images get the most real estate. The right dimensions, bright colors, and clean compositions directly impact how many clicks and saves your pin gets. Photos optimized for Instagram or TikTok won't perform the same way on Pinterest because the platform rewards different visual qualities.

Pinterest Pin Dimensions and Aspect Ratios

The recommended pin size is 1000x1500 pixels at a 2:3 aspect ratio. This is the ratio Pinterest displays best in its grid layout. Pins taller than 2:3 (like 1:2.1 or 1:3) get truncated in the feed and require users to tap to see the full image, which reduces engagement. Square pins (1:1) take up less grid space and get fewer impressions. For Idea Pins (multi-image), use 1080x1920 (9:16). Profile photos display at 165x165 pixels.

Color and Lighting for Pinterest Performance

Pinterest's own research shows that pins with warm, saturated colors get more repins than muted or dark images. Bright reds, oranges, and pinks outperform blue-heavy compositions. Good lighting is critical since pins appear as small thumbnails where dark, low-contrast photos disappear. Boost brightness and saturation slightly beyond what looks natural on a large screen because the final viewing context is a small pin thumbnail on a phone.

Essential Photo Edits for Pinterest Pins

  • Extending backgrounds vertically to convert landscape photos to 2:3 portrait
  • Removing cluttered backgrounds that compete with the subject for attention
  • Boosting color saturation and brightness for small-thumbnail visibility
  • Replacing backgrounds with solid or gradient colors for product pins
  • Removing unwanted objects to simplify the composition
  • Adding breathing room at top and bottom for text overlay space
  • Sharpening images so details are visible even at thumbnail size

Preparing Photos for Text Overlays

The highest-performing Pinterest pins combine a strong photo with a clear text headline. When editing your photo, leave negative space at the top or bottom third where text will go. A blurred, solid-color, or low-detail area works best for text readability. If your photo fills the entire frame with detailed content, use AI to extend the background above or below the subject to create that text-friendly zone.

Tips for Pinterest Photo Optimization

Keep one clear focal point per pin. Pinterest users scroll fast and a cluttered image with multiple competing subjects gets skipped. Vertical close-ups outperform wide establishing shots. For product pins, use a clean white or light background. For lifestyle pins, keep the scene simple with one hero subject. Test warm-toned edits since Pinterest's user base consistently engages more with warm color palettes.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Upload Your Photo

Drag or select your image in EditThisPic. Works with product shots, lifestyle photos, food photography, DIY project photos, and any other Pinterest content.

2

Resize to 2:3 for Pinterest

Describe the resize: 'make this 2:3 for a Pinterest pin' or 'extend the background to make this a vertical pin.' For landscape photos, the AI extends the scene above and below to create a tall pin without cropping your original content.

3

Enhance Colors and Clean Up

Follow up with edits like 'make the colors warmer and more saturated,' 'remove the cluttered background,' or 'add white space at the top for text.' Pinterest rewards bright, clean images.

4

Download and Pin

Save the edited image and upload it to Pinterest. The 2:3 format displays perfectly in the grid, taking up maximum visual space and driving more clicks.

Try These Tools

Pinterest Photo Editing Resize Photo Extend Photo Background Remove Background

Frequently Asked Questions

The optimal Pinterest pin size is 1000x1500 pixels at a 2:3 aspect ratio. This is the ratio Pinterest recommends and displays best in the grid. For Idea Pins, use 1080x1920 (9:16).
Pins taller than 2:3 (like very long infographic-style pins) get truncated in the feed. Pinterest clips them at approximately 2:3 and requires a tap to see the full image. Stick to 2:3 for maximum in-feed visibility.
Upload your landscape photo to EditThisPic and describe the edit: 'extend the background above and below to make this a 2:3 Pinterest pin.' The AI generates matching background content to create a vertical composition without cropping your original photo.
Warm, saturated colors consistently outperform cool and muted tones on Pinterest. Reds, oranges, and pinks get more saves and clicks. Bright, well-lit images with high contrast stand out in the dense pin grid where thumbnails are small.
Text overlays on pins can increase click-through rates significantly, especially for how-to, recipe, and tip content. Edit your photo to include clean background space where text will go, then add the text in Pinterest's editor or a design tool.
Yes. EditThisPic works in any mobile browser with no app download needed. Upload your photo, describe the edit, and save the result directly for pinning. Free, no signup required.

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