Direct Answer
OG image cropping happens because social platforms render the same source image in different card shapes. A 1200 by 630 image is the safest universal starting point, but WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Slack, and Discord can still crop, scale, or frame it differently. The fix is to design with a safe area and preview the image across platforms before sharing.
Use LinkPeek's Open Graph preview tool to compare the card layouts side by side.
Why Cropping Differs by Platform
Open Graph only tells platforms which image to use. It does not force every app to render that image with the same dimensions. Each app has its own card UI, feed width, thumbnail rules, rounded corners, dark mode treatment, and text layout.
That means the same image can look good on LinkedIn but feel cramped on WhatsApp, or look clear on X but lose edge text in Slack.
Start With the Universal Image Size
For most pages, create a 1200 by 630 image. It maps to the common 1.91:1 social preview ratio and works across major platforms.
Keep the most important content away from the edges:
- Place logos and faces near the center
- Avoid important text in the outer 10 percent of the canvas
- Use large text that survives mobile scaling
- Keep file size compressed for crawler reliability
- Use JPG or PNG for broad compatibility
The Open Graph image size guide covers dimensions in more detail.
Check WhatsApp Cropping
WhatsApp can show compact thumbnails or larger cards depending on the image and context. If the image is too small or visually busy, the preview can feel weak even when the metadata is valid.
Use the WhatsApp link preview checker and verify that the center of the image still communicates the page topic.
Check LinkedIn and X Separately
LinkedIn and X both support large image cards, but the feed context changes how users scan them. X users move quickly through a dense feed, so the image should be instantly readable. LinkedIn cards often sit beside longer professional commentary, so the image should reinforce credibility and not look like a cropped ad.
Use the LinkedIn preview checker and Twitter/X card preview tool before publishing important posts.
Build a Safe-Area Review Workflow
Before launch, check the same image in every target surface:
- Preview the URL in LinkPeek.
- Switch between WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, Slack, Discord, and Instagram-style cards.
- Watch for clipped logos, unreadable text, awkward face crops, and low contrast.
- Adjust the source image, not just the CSS on the page.
- Retest after uploading the new image URL.
Try LinkPeek
Use the Open Graph preview tool for the full cross-platform comparison, then use the platform-specific tools when WhatsApp, LinkedIn, X, or Slack is the main sharing surface.
FAQ
Q: What is the safest OG image size?
A: 1200 by 630 pixels is the safest starting point for broad social preview compatibility.
Q: Why does my OG image look different on every platform?
A: Platforms use different card layouts, thumbnail rules, and feed widths, so the same source image can be cropped or scaled differently.
Q: Should I put text in my OG image?
A: Yes, but keep it large and centered. Small text near the edges is likely to become unreadable or cropped.
Q: Can LinkPeek show OG image crop differences?
A: Yes. LinkPeek renders platform-specific previews so you can compare how the same image appears across major card layouts.
Try LinkPeek
Preview the card before you share the URL
Test Open Graph tags, Twitter Cards, WhatsApp previews, LinkedIn cards, Slack unfurls, Discord cards, Instagram-style previews, and localhost URLs before the link reaches your audience.
Open the preview checker