WhatsApp Sticker Size & Format Explained
The exact WhatsApp sticker dimensions, format, and file-size limits for 2026 — plus a comparison table for Telegram, iMessage, and Discord, and how to resize any image to 512×512.
Updated 2026-07-06 · 6 min read · by StickerSit
Getting the WhatsApp sticker size right is the single biggest difference between a sticker that looks crisp and one that looks blurry or distorted. The rules are strict but simple: one square dimension, one format, and a tight file-size budget. This guide lays out the exact numbers for static and animated WhatsApp stickers, explains the tray icon, compares the requirements across the other major chat apps, and shows you how to resize any image to the correct 512×512 pixels.
Static WhatsApp sticker specs
512 × 512 pixels · WebP · ≤ 100 KB · transparent background
Every static sticker in a WhatsApp pack must be a square exactly 512 pixels wide and 512 pixels tall, saved in WebP format with a transparent background, kept under 100 KB. WebP is required because it produces small, clean files with full alpha transparency — exactly what a die-cut sticker needs to float on a chat bubble without a white box around it.
Animated WhatsApp sticker specs
512 × 512 pixels · APNG or animated WebP · ≤ 500 KB · 10–16 fps
Animated stickers share the same 512×512 canvas but can move. WhatsApp accepts APNG and animated WebP at roughly 10 to 16 frames per second, with each file staying under about 500 KB. Keep the loop seamless so the animation does not visibly jump when it restarts, and keep the duration short — a few seconds is usually plenty for a reaction.
The tray icon (96 × 96)
Each pack also needs a tray icon — the small thumbnail that represents the pack in WhatsApp’s sticker picker. It must be 96 × 96 pixels, in PNG format, and ideally under 50 KB. Think of it as the pack’s app icon: simple, bold, and recognizable at a tiny size. A single emoji-style face or one strong symbol works better than a detailed illustration.
Why 512×512?
512×512 is the sweet spot. It is sharp enough to look clean on modern phone screens and when a sticker is tapped to fill the view, but small enough that a pack of 30 stickers stays lightweight and instant to send. The square shape also means a sticker works equally well as a quick reaction or a full-size image, with no orientation to worry about.
Sticker sizes across chat apps
Each platform has its own requirements. If you make stickers for more than one app, design at the largest size you need (usually 512×512) and downscale.
Note: iMessage renders stickers at small, medium, and large sizes automatically from a single source image; Discord stickers are smaller at 320×320.
How to resize an image to 512×512
1. Start from an image that is at least 512 pixels on its longest side so it does not need upscaling.
2. Crop it to a square centered on the subject. Most sticker maker apps do this automatically; by hand, use any image editor with a square crop.
3. Resize the square to exactly 512×512.
4. Export as PNG or WebP with transparency. If the result is over 100 KB, reduce colors or simplify the design.
Common sizing mistakes
WhatsApp sticker size FAQ
What is the exact WhatsApp sticker size?▾
Each sticker must be exactly 512 × 512 pixels. Static stickers use the WebP format and should be 100 KB or smaller; animated stickers use APNG or animated WebP and can be up to about 500 KB. The pack also needs a 96 × 96 pixel tray icon in PNG format.
Why does WhatsApp use 512×512?▾
512×512 is large enough to look sharp on modern phone screens and when zoomed, but small enough to keep packs lightweight and fast to send. The square shape and the transparent WebP format also let stickers sit cleanly on top of chat bubbles without a visible background box.
Can I use PNG instead of WebP for WhatsApp stickers?▾
For an official pack submitted through a sticker provider, WebP is required. In practice, sticker maker apps accept ordinary PNG and JPG photos and convert them to WebP for you, so you rarely need to do the conversion yourself. If you are adding a single sticker through WhatsApp's built-in maker, you can work with a PNG directly.
What happens if my sticker is the wrong size?▾
Images that are not 512×512 get stretched or cropped, which causes blur, distortion, or cut-off subjects. Images smaller than 512×512 are upscaled and look soft. Sticker maker apps fix this automatically by cropping to a square and resizing; if you are preparing files by hand, start from a square image at 512×512 or larger.
What is the WhatsApp sticker file-size limit?▾
Static stickers should be at most 100 KB each, and animated stickers at most about 500 KB each. The tray icon should be 50 KB or smaller. Larger files may be rejected or automatically compressed, which can introduce artifacts.
How do I make an image transparent for a sticker?▾
Remove the background so only the subject remains, then export as PNG or WebP with transparency. AI sticker tools output transparent die-cut images automatically. From a photo, a sticker maker app or iOS 17's built-in cutout removes the background for you.
Related Guides
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