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How to Edit Photos for TikTok

6 min read
Quick Answer

To edit photos for TikTok, resize your image to 1080x1920 pixels (9:16) for full-screen display. Upload to EditThisPic and describe the edit: 'resize for TikTok,' 'extend the background to 9:16,' or 'make the colors pop for TikTok.' The AI handles resizing, background changes, and enhancement in seconds. Free, no signup required.

TikTok Photo Posts and Why Sizing Matters

TikTok photo carousels and cover images use the same vertical 9:16 format as videos. Photos that aren't sized correctly get auto-cropped or display with ugly black bars. Whether you're posting a photo carousel, setting a video cover image, or creating content for TikTok Shop, getting the dimensions right is the difference between professional-looking content and amateur posts.

TikTok Photo Dimensions and Formats

TikTok displays content at 1080x1920 pixels in 9:16 aspect ratio. Photo carousels support up to 35 images per post, each displayed at this same ratio. Cover images for videos also use 9:16. For TikTok profile photos, the display is a 200x200 circle. The platform accepts JPG, PNG, and WebP. Keep file sizes under 20MB per image for smooth uploads.

TikTok photo carousels are one of the fastest-growing content formats on the platform. Each slide needs to be 9:16 and visually consistent across the set. Use the same color treatment, lighting style, and composition approach for every photo in the carousel. If some photos are landscape and others portrait, extend the backgrounds to make them all 9:16 so the carousel feels cohesive when swiped.

Creating Eye-Catching Video Cover Photos

Your TikTok video cover is the thumbnail people see on your profile grid and in search results. A good cover uses bright colors, clear subjects, and clean composition. Remove distracting backgrounds, boost contrast, and make sure the main subject fills the frame. Leave a small area at the bottom center for the video duration overlay that TikTok adds automatically.

Popular Photo Edits for TikTok

  • Extending backgrounds to convert horizontal photos to vertical 9:16
  • Removing cluttered or messy backgrounds for cleaner compositions
  • Boosting color saturation and contrast for the mobile feed
  • Removing unwanted objects, people, or text from photos
  • Changing backgrounds to solid colors for product showcase posts
  • Sharpening photos that look soft on high-resolution phone screens
  • Color grading for a consistent aesthetic across your profile grid

Tips for TikTok Photo Content That Performs

High-contrast, saturated photos stop the scroll. TikTok's algorithm favors content that holds attention, and a visually striking first image in a carousel drives swipe-throughs. Use warm tones for lifestyle content and cool, clean tones for tech or minimalist aesthetics. Keep compositions simple with one clear focal point. If you're overlaying text in TikTok's editor, leave negative space in the photo for it.

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Upload Your Photo

Drag or select your image in EditThisPic. Works with photos from your phone camera, screenshots, product shots, or any downloaded image.

2

Resize to 9:16 for TikTok

Describe the resize: 'make this 9:16 for TikTok' or 'extend the background vertically for a TikTok post.' For landscape photos, the AI extends the scene naturally instead of cropping out important content.

3

Enhance and Edit

Add any other edits: 'make the colors more vibrant,' 'remove the messy background,' or 'change the background to solid white.' Chain multiple edits until the photo looks right.

4

Download and Post

Save the edited image and upload it to TikTok as a photo post, carousel slide, or video cover. The 9:16 format fills the entire screen.

Try These Tools

Resize Photo for TikTok Cover AI TikTok Photo Editor TikTok Photo Editing Extend Photo Background

Frequently Asked Questions

TikTok photos display at 1080x1920 pixels in a 9:16 aspect ratio. This applies to photo posts, carousel slides, and video cover images. Photos outside this ratio will be cropped or displayed with black bars.
TikTok allows up to 35 photos per carousel post. Each photo displays at 9:16. For the best results, keep all images the same dimensions and use a consistent editing style across the set.
Upload your landscape photo to EditThisPic and describe the edit: 'extend the background above and below to make this 9:16 for TikTok.' The AI generates matching content to fill the vertical frame without cropping your original photo.
A strong cover photo has bright colors, high contrast, and a single clear subject. Remove distracting backgrounds and make the main subject fill most of the frame. Avoid placing important details at the very bottom where TikTok overlays the video duration.
Yes. EditThisPic works in any mobile browser. No app download required. Upload your photo, describe the edit, and save it directly to your camera roll for posting to TikTok.
Yes, TikTok applies compression to uploaded images. Start with a high-quality image at 1080x1920 to minimize quality loss. Avoid uploading photos that have already been heavily compressed or resized multiple times.

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