Short answer
A strong X profile has a clear photo, a header that says what you do, a display name people can search, a specific 160-character bio, one link, and a pinned post that shows your best work.
Key takeaways
- People decide in seconds: the photo, bio and pinned post do most of the work.
- Bios are capped at 160 characters; spend them on what you do and for whom.
- A professional account adds a category label and contact buttons for free.
Your profile is the page people check before deciding to follow you. On X it's small: a photo, a header, a name, 160 characters and a pinned post. Each part has a job.
What does each part of the profile need to do?
The photo identifies you, the header sets context, the name and bio explain you, and the pinned post proves it.
| Part | Limit | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Profile photo | Square, 400 × 400+ | Recognizable at 40 pixels |
| Header | 1500 × 500 | Context: your work, place or brand |
| Display name | 50 characters | The name people search for |
| Username | 15 characters | Easy to say and type |
| Bio | 160 characters | What you do, for whom |
| Location | 30 characters | Optional; helps local audiences |
| Website | One link | Your site, newsletter or shop |
| Pinned post | One post | Your best example |
How do I write a bio that works?
Lead with what you do, add who it's for, finish with something specific to you.
Weak: "Entrepreneur. Dreamer. Coffee lover." Strong: "I help small bakeries price their menus. Free calculators on my site. Sourdough every Sunday." Mentions of your company link automatically; one or two hashtags are fine if people actually search them. Read it out loud: if it sounds like a template, rewrite it.
What should my pinned post be?
The post you'd want a stranger to read first: a best-of thread, a current project or a clear introduction.
Update it when your focus changes. Premium subscribers can also curate a Highlights tab of chosen posts, and long-form Articles.
Should I switch to a professional account?
If you're a business, creator or public figure, yes: it's free and adds a category label and profile features.
A professional account shows a category under your name (like "Bookstore" or "Science & Technology") and can add a location, contact buttons or a shop module to the profile. See professional accounts explained.
How do I check the result?
Look at your profile logged out, on a phone, in dark mode.
Or mock up the whole thing first with our profile header generator, which uses x.com's layout so you can see the crop before you change anything.
Questions people ask
What should I put in my X bio?
What you do, who it's for and one detail that's yours: 'Product designer at a climate startup. Writing about onboarding and accessibility. Dog in every second photo.' Hashtags and mentions are allowed but use them sparingly.
Should I pin a post?
Yes. The pinned post is the first thing visitors read after the bio. Pin your best thread, your current project or an introduction.
Do I need a checkmark for a good profile?
No. Most successful accounts are known for their posts, not their badge. A complete profile and consistent posting matter more.