I got far too deep in writhing this article trying to cover the ideal NFT image size for all use cases. Then I realized that there were way too many variables to cover all use cases, so I decided just to go directly into what I do, and provide a mercifully brief explanation as to why I do it.

Here's the artwork NFT image sizes that I use

Ideal image dimensions

For the time being, and foreseeable future, I plan on using a square aspect ratio for my artwork NFT images. Ideally, I would use the following image size for my artwork NFT collections on Highlight.xyz (A great NFT Publishing app for artists).

• 4000 x 4000px (16 Megapixels)

• Color: sRGB IEC61966-2.1

• File format: JPG (Quality 100)

For smaller image file sizes

In the case that image storage space/cost becomes a limiting factor, I will use the following sizes:

• 3700 x 3700px (13.69 Megapixels)

• Color: sRGB IEC61966-2.1

• File format: JPG (Quality 99)

For the smallest image file sizes

Below is the smallest image size that I have used for one of my NFT collections on Highlight.xyz. I should say that this is the smallest image size I would use, and would ideally use one of the previous two image sizes listed above.

• 3000 x 3000px (9 Megapixels)

• Color: sRGB IEC61966-2.1

• File format: JPG (Quality 99)

Food for thought

Keep in mind that I create Series collections on Highlight.xyz consisting of hundreds of NFTs. The size of NFT Series that I can create is dependent on Highlight's 3.5GB Storage limit. In the case of my future collections, I may create a Series collection of 100 NFTs, instead of my current favourite number of 400 NFTs. For under 100 NFTs, I will use my ideal artwork NFT image dimensions of 4000 x 4000px.

Since you're still here, I'll go into more detail about how I arrived at the previously listed image sizes

My square artwork NFTs are meant to be displayed on large wall-hanging NFT displays. Because of that, I searched for large square NFT displays, and the displays I found aided in my decision to arrive at a specific artwork NFT image size.

Research time: Square NFT displays

As a result of researching available Square NFT Displays, it appears an image resolution between 2 and 7 megapixels would be suitable for currently available square NFT displays.

Here are some of the square NFT displays I researched, as well as their display resolutions.

• 33" SQR Tokenframe

  • The product page does not list the pixel dimensions of the display, but does say it has a 2K resolution.

  • Since exact pixel dimensions are not provided, an educated guess lands the display's megapixel count at around 2 megapixels.

• Muse Frame (33" Square Version)

  • Like the square Tokenframe, the Muse Frame lists the Resolution as being 2K.

  • Since exact pixel dimensions are not provided, an educated guess lands the display's megapixel count at around 2 megapixels.

• Gallery 10 Square Canvas (126")

  • This absolutely gigantic and very expensive display will likely only be used in a gallery setting because of it's cost.

  • This 2560x2560px display has 6.55 megapixels.

• Luma Canvas

  • This 1280 x 1440 NFT display has 1.84 Megapixels.

  • While this display is not an exact square, I feel square artwork will still work well in it.

Futureproofing for higher resolution displays

While you could just create gigantic image files that will be suitable for huge displays 100 years from now, image storage costs could get prohibitive. Especially in the case you are creating a large number of artworks, like in a series collection that has hundreds or thousands of NFTs.

I aimed to arrive at image sizes that will be relatively well future-proofed, while keeping the file sizes as small as possible in an effort to save on image storage usage.

If image storage costs are not a concern for you, then your only limit is whatever the maximum size is set by the the platform you use to mint your NFTs.

Finally, lets talk about file formats and image compression

Finding a balance between file size and image quality can be tricky. PNG and JPG files are my file format of choice.

PNG

If file size is of no concern, an uncompressed PNG file would be ideal for most situations.

JPG

I have found that JPG at a quality level of 100 produces a smaller image file as compared to an uncompressed PNG file while retaining a nearly indistinguishable difference in image quality. JPG artifacting is nearly non-existent.

A JPG quality level of 99 saves on file size while generating a very minimal amount of JPG artifacting. JPG quality levels under 99 create artifacting that is unacceptably visible for my artwork NFTs.

For the reasons above, I only use JPG at quality levels of 100, or 99.

Here's where I landed on image compression

Ultimately, I decided that a comparatively lower resolution image with minimal compression is less distracting than a relatively higher resolution image with a noticeable amount of compression artifacts.

For example: In my tests, I preferred a 6MB 3000x3000px image saved as a JPG at 99 quality versus a 6MB 4000x4000px image saved as a JPG at 80 quality.

In conclusion

For the reasons listed in the article above, my square artwork NFT image sizes will be between 3000x3000px, and 4000x4000px.