TikTok photo carousels
Swipeable photo posts with sound: tell a story slide by slide and keep text clear of TikTok’s buttons.
Photo posts let people swipe through a series of images while a sound plays. They suit tutorials, lists, outfit and product series, and stories you can tell in a few frames.
At a glance
| Spec | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Size | 1,080 × 1,920 px (9:16) |
| Media per post | Up to 35 |
| File types | JPG, WEBP |
| Text length | 2,200 characters |
| Set per post | Visibility, comments, Duet/Stitch and commercial disclosure |
Safe zone
Photo posts sit in the same full-screen player as videos, so the same overlays apply: tabs at the top, buttons on the right, caption at the bottom.
Platforms don’t publish exact overlay sizes, and their apps move buttons between versions. These insets are deliberately conservative: preview on a phone before you post.
Hook
- The first photo is the cover. Put the promise of the post on it in large text.
- Signal the swipe. Numbers or “keep swiping” tell people there’s more.
- Pick a sound that fits. TikTok adds music to photo posts, and the right track sets the mood.
Design and edit
- Use 9:16 photos. Vertical images fill the screen; landscape ones look small.
- One idea per photo. Short text, large type.
- Keep a consistent look. Same font, color and text position on every slide.
- Five to ten photos usually works. You can add many more, but each one should earn its swipe.
Caption and copy
- Describe the post in searchable words. It helps people find it later.
- Add a few relevant hashtags.
- End with a question or a call to action. “Which one is your favorite?” invites comments.
Timing and cadence
- Mix photos and videos. Photo posts are quick to make, so they’re a good way to post more often.
- Repurpose carousels. An Instagram carousel resized to 9:16 makes a strong photo post.
What to measure
Likes, comments and shares show which photo posts resonate. Compare them with your videos to see which format your audience prefers.
How Octapost reports these metrics
Do it in Octapost
- Design slides in the image editor at Reels / Story size (1080 × 1920).
- Add all the images to one post; Octapost publishes them to TikTok as a photo post. Images can’t be mixed with video.
- Set visibility and interaction settings in the TikTok panel before scheduling.
Creating posts in the composer
Checklist
- All photos are 9:16, JPG or WebP.
- The first photo states the promise.
- Text stays inside the safe zone.
- Every photo adds something new.
- Visibility and interaction settings are chosen.
Sources
Platform guidance changes often. These are the official pages we check this guide against.