Key takeaways
- Product Hunt recommends 1270×760 px (1.67:1) for gallery images and a square 240×240 thumbnail.
- Use a sharp PNG for static UI screenshots and a GIF only for short demos. A GIF thumbnail must be under 3 MB and only animates on hover.
- Your first image is a launch poster — it needs to answer "what does this do?" in under two seconds.
- Browser frame and 10–20% padding matter more than decoration. Without them, screenshots look compressed in the carousel.
- Each gallery slot should show a different product moment, not the same screen at different zoom levels.
Product Hunt gallery screenshot sizes
Use these specs when preparing your launch gallery. Product Hunt's launch preparation page and posting guide were checked on October 13, 2026.
| Spec | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Gallery image size | 1270×760 px (Product Hunt's recommendation) |
| Aspect ratio | 1.67:1 (wide) |
| Thumbnail | Square, 240×240 recommended |
| GIF thumbnail | Under 3 MB; animates only on hover, so the first frame must work on its own |
| Animated gallery images | GIFs allowed |
| Minimum gallery images | 2 images (gallery is not shown below this) |
| Video | YouTube link only |
| Max file size and max gallery count | Not stated in those pages; the upload form shows any limit |
| First image role | Launch poster — your strongest product moment |
The 1.67:1 ratio is wider than a 4:3 photo and narrower than a 16:9 video frame. Exporting at exactly 1270×760 means you decide the crop and padding, instead of hoping a differently shaped image displays well.
The size spec is just the starting point
Getting the dimensions right takes ten seconds. The harder problem is making the image look like it belongs on a polished product page rather than a screenshot someone resized in Preview.
Two screenshots can both be 1270×760 and look completely different in the carousel. One has a browser frame, clear padding, and a short label on the key feature. The other is a raw app screenshot stretched to fill the canvas. Visitors scroll past the second one in the time it takes to read this sentence.
The rest of this guide covers those decisions: what to show in each image, how to compose the first image, common mistakes that are easy to avoid, and a browser workflow that handles framing and export without opening Figma.
Make a 1270×760 Product Hunt screenshot now
Drop your screenshot into the free browser mockup tool, add a frame and padding, choose the Product Hunt 1270×760 preset, and download a sharp PNG — no upload, no signup.
Open the free browser mockup toolHow to make a 1270×760 Product Hunt screenshot
The goal is not to decorate the screenshot. The goal is to make the product easy to understand at carousel size.
- Capture the most recognizable screen. Use the screen that shows the core value — not a settings page, an empty state, or a loading screen. If a new user cannot tell what the product does from the image alone, pick a different screen.
- Add a browser frame. A browser mockup generator gives web products context and makes the image feel intentionally prepared. A raw screenshot without a frame reads as unfinished.
- Set 10–20% padding. Do not let the UI touch the edges of the 1270×760 canvas. Padding keeps the screenshot readable when Product Hunt scales it in the carousel or in social embeds.
- Add one annotation. One arrow, label, or highlight pointing at the main feature or outcome is enough. More than one annotation dilutes attention. If you need to explain multiple things, use multiple gallery images.
- Export as PNG at 1270×760. Export at 2× if your tool supports it, then scale down — this produces a sharper result than exporting at exactly 1270×760 from a low-density display.
For the broader launch workflow across Product Hunt, social, and press, see product screenshots for launch posts. For export size requirements on other channels, see screenshot sizes for social media.
What makes a strong first Product Hunt image
Your first image has one job: answer "what does this product do?" in under two seconds.
- A recognizable UI view. Show the actual product in its most useful state — a dashboard, a key output screen, or the feature that makes it different. Not a marketing graphic with abstract shapes.
- One short headline. 3–7 words that name the outcome, not the feature. "Turn screenshots into polished visuals" works at carousel size. "Screenshot editor with browser mockups and export presets" does not.
- A browser frame. It signals this is a working web product, not a mockup or concept. It also creates natural padding and separation from the carousel background.
- Enough contrast. Product Hunt users scan at speed. Light text on a light background, or a primary content area that is small relative to the canvas, gets passed over.
Avoid screenshots that depend on tiny text or detailed UI that requires zooming. If the content in the image needs explanation, add a label instead of expecting the viewer to read it at thumbnail size.
Common Product Hunt screenshot mistakes
These are the patterns that make otherwise strong products look unprepared on launch day:
- Uploading the same screen at different zoom levels. Each gallery slot is an opportunity to show something different. A second image that is just a zoomed version of the first wastes the slot.
- No browser frame on a web product. Without a frame, a web UI screenshot looks like a flat design mockup. The frame is quick to add and significantly improves how intentional the image looks.
- UI touching the edges. No padding makes the product look compressed against the canvas. It also looks different from polished launch galleries, which makes it stand out for the wrong reason.
- Using a settings page as the first image. Settings pages look like every other settings page. The first image should show the product doing its most valuable thing, not how to configure it.
- Uploading a 4:3 or 16:9 image as is. It won't match the recommended 1270×760 frame, so the composition you planned is not what people see. Re-export at the target size.
- Too many annotations on one image. Three arrows pointing at three things means no clear focal point. One callout per image, placed on the most important element.
Product Hunt gallery checklist
Before uploading, run each image through this list:
- Canvas is 1270×760 px.
- Format is PNG for static screenshots or GIF for short demos.
- A GIF thumbnail is under 3 MB and its first frame works as a still image.
- UI does not touch the edges — at least 10% padding on all sides.
- Text is readable at thumbnail size without zooming.
- All gallery images use consistent framing, padding, and background style.
- First image answers "what does this do?" in under two seconds.
- Each image shows a different product moment.
- No more than one annotation per image.
FAQ
What size are Product Hunt gallery screenshots?
Product Hunt gallery screenshots should be prepared at 1270×760 px. This is a 1.67:1 wide canvas — wider than a 4:3 photo, narrower than 16:9 video. Prepare the square 240×240 thumbnail separately.
What aspect ratio does Product Hunt use?
The recommended 1270×760 px is about 1.67:1. If you work on a 4:3 or 16:9 canvas, re-export at 1270×760 so the content isn't cropped awkwardly.
Should Product Hunt screenshots be PNG or GIF?
Use PNG for static product screenshots. Use GIF only for short demos where motion explains the feature better than a still image. If the thumbnail is a GIF, keep it under 3 MB; Product Hunt doesn't publish a size limit for other gallery images in its posting guides, so check the upload form.
How many screenshots should I upload to Product Hunt?
Product Hunt requires at least 2 gallery images before the gallery is visible. 4–6 images is a reasonable target when each one shows a distinct product moment. A weak sixth image is worse than stopping at five.
What should each Product Hunt gallery image show?
Each image should show a different part of the product story. A common structure: first image covers what the product does; second shows the key output or result; third and fourth cover specific features or use cases; fifth shows a before/after or workflow summary. Avoid showing the same screen twice.
Does the first Product Hunt screenshot affect conversion?
Yes. The first gallery image appears in the carousel, in social shares, and in most embeds. It functions like a launch poster. A clear, well-composed first image increases dwell time on the launch page before anyone reads the headline copy — it is the highest-leverage image in the gallery.
Do I need Figma to make Product Hunt screenshots?
No. If your product runs in Chrome, FramedShot can capture the tab, add a browser frame, set padding, annotate the image, and export at 1270×760 px. The whole workflow runs in the browser without uploading anything to a design tool.
Why is my Product Hunt screenshot blurry?
Usually because the source screenshot is too dense, exported at the wrong size, or scaled down from a very large monitor capture. Use fewer UI details, add more padding, and export at the target size. Exporting at 2× and scaling down in the upload produces a sharper result on retina displays.
Polish your Product Hunt gallery in under a minute
FramedShot is a Chrome extension for capturing, framing, annotating, and exporting launch screenshots. No account required.
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