Published January 15, 2025 · 5 min read
How to Create a LinkedIn Profile Picture
LinkedIn profiles with a professional photo get 14× more profile views and 36× more messages than profiles without one (LinkedIn's own data). Here's how to create a professional-looking photo in under 10 minutes, for free.
LinkedIn profile picture requirements
- Dimensions: 400 × 400 px (displays as 152×152 in feed, cropped to circle)
- Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square)
- Format: JPG or PNG
- Max file size: 8 MB
- Face should fill: 60% of frame
What makes a good LinkedIn photo
- Face visible. No sunglasses, no hats, no shadows on face.
- Professional attire. Business casual is fine; a suit is not required.
- Neutral expression or gentle smile. Not overly serious, not a forced grin.
- Solid, neutral background. White, light grey, or navy — not a busy scene.
- Natural lighting. Soft, even light — no harsh shadows or overexposure.
- Face centered and forward-facing. Not turned in profile.
Step-by-step: creating your LinkedIn photo
Step 1 — Take or choose a source photo
If you don't have a professional headshot, don't worry. Any reasonably lit photo of your face will work. Just make sure:
- Face is well-lit (window light from front is best)
- Eyes are visible (no sunglasses)
- Face fills 40–60% of the frame
- You're facing the camera (not 3/4 turned)
A selfie against a plain wall works if you're careful. Avoid harsh phone flash — it creates shadows.
Step 2 — Remove the background
Open the AI background remover. Upload your photo. Wait 5–15 seconds. Download the transparent PNG.
If your original photo has a solid white wall behind you, use the transparent PNG maker instead — it runs locally and is instant.
Step 3 — Add a clean background
Open the profile picture maker. Upload the transparent PNG. Choose a background color:
- White: Neutral, professional, works in any industry
- Light grey: Modern, tech-friendly
- Navy: Authoritative (finance, law, consulting)
- Warm beige: Approachable (coaching, therapy, service)
- Brand color: Distinctive (founders, creators)
Step 4 — Crop and export
In the profile picture maker:
- Choose "Circle" shape (LinkedIn crops to circle)
- Set size to 400×400 px
- Adjust zoom so your face fills about 60% of the frame
- Position so your eyes are in the upper third
- Download
Step 5 — Upload to LinkedIn
- Open LinkedIn → Profile → Edit profile
- Click your profile picture → Add photo
- Upload the PNG
- Adjust the crop (LinkedIn will show a circle guide)
- Save
Background color psychology
The color of your background subtly influences how people perceive you:
- White: Neutral, traditional, safe. Default recommendation.
- Light grey: Modern, thoughtful, creative.
- Navy: Trustworthy, authoritative, serious.
- Warm beige: Approachable, human, caring.
- Yellow or brand color: Energetic, distinctive, memorable.
Common mistakes
- Cropping too tightly. Cut off the top of your head and it looks cramped. Leave a small margin.
- Ignoring the circle crop. LinkedIn displays photos as circles. Check that your face is centered in the circle, not just the square.
- Using a group photo. Profile pictures are about you. Crop yourself out.
- Wrong colors. If your brand color clashes with your skin tone or clothing, choose a neutral instead.
- Old photo. Use a photo from the last 1–2 years. People want to recognize you at networking events.
Do you need a professional headshot photographer?
No. A well-lit smartphone photo with a clean background works for 95% of LinkedIn profiles. Professional headshots are nice for senior executives, public speakers, and authors — but not required for most roles.
AI headshot services vs BG Remove
AI headshot services (Aragon, HeadshotPro, etc.) generate professional-looking portraits from selfies for $30–$100. They're impressive but overkill for a standard LinkedIn profile.
BG Remove's free workflow (remove background + clean color + crop) costs $0 and produces a professional result. It won't look like a studio shoot, but it will look clean, professional, and appropriate.