Creating a pin starts with uploading an image and adding a description
To create a pin on Pinterest, you need a Pinterest account, an image (either one you upload or one already on the web), and a destination link where the pin will send people when they click it. The process takes about two minutes. You can create a pin from your phone using the Pinterest app or from a computer using the Pinterest website — both work the same way.
A pin is not the same as a bookmark. When you save something to a board, you are storing it for yourself. When you create a pin, you are making new content that other people can find, save, and click through to. Most people create pins to share their own website, blog post, product, or article with the Pinterest community.
Key Takeaways
- You create a pin by uploading an image, writing a title and description, and linking to a webpage or article you want to share.
- The image should be vertical (taller than it is wide) and at least 1000 pixels tall so it looks good on all devices.
- Your pin title and description should tell people what they will find when they click, because Pinterest uses these words to show your pin to the right audience.
- You choose which board to save the pin to, and you can create a new board during the pin creation process if you do not have one yet.
How to create a pin on your phone
Open the Pinterest app and tap the plus sign (+) at the bottom of the screen. This opens the pin creation menu. Tap "Create a pin" (not "Save a pin" — that option is for bookmarking something you found). You will see two choices: "Upload an image" or "Use a link".
If you choose "Upload an image", select a photo from your phone's camera roll. The image should be vertical — taller than it is wide — and at least 1000 pixels tall. Pinterest will show you a preview of how the pin will look. Tap "Next" when you are ready to add text.
If you choose "Use a link", paste the web address of the article or page you want to share. Pinterest will pull an image from that page automatically. You can replace it with your own image if you want. Either way, tap "Next" to continue.
How to create a pin on your computer
Go to Pinterest.com and click the plus sign (+) in the top left corner. Select "Create a pin". You will see the same two options: upload an image or use a link. Click your choice.
For "Upload an image", click "Choose an image" and select a file from your computer. For "Use a link", paste the web address into the box. Pinterest will fetch an image from that page, but you can click "Change image" to upload your own instead.
Once you have your image, you will see a preview on the left side of the screen and a form on the right. This is where you add the information that makes your pin discoverable.
Writing a title and description that people will find
The title is the first thing people see when your pin appears in search results or on a board. Make it clear and specific about what the pin leads to. Instead of "Check this out", write "Chocolate chip cookie recipe with brown butter". Instead of "My blog", write "How to fix a leaky kitchen faucet without calling a plumber".
The description goes below the title and gives more detail. This is where you explain why someone should click. If your pin links to a recipe, mention the prep time or key ingredients. If it links to an article about fixing something, mention what tools you need or how long it takes. Pinterest uses both the title and description to show your pin to people searching for those topics, so specific words matter.
You do not need to fill every field — the title is required, but the description is optional. However, a good description gets more clicks because people know what they are getting before they tap.
Choosing or creating a board for your pin
A board is a collection of pins, organized by topic. Before you finish creating your pin, you must choose which board to save it to. If you already have a board for the topic — like "Home Repair" or "Dessert Recipes" — select it from the dropdown menu.
If you do not have a board yet, click "Create a new board" right there in the form. Give it a name that describes what pins will go on it. You can make the board public (other people can see it and save from it) or secret (only you can see it). Most people make boards public so their pins reach more people, but the choice is yours.
You can change which board a pin is on later, so do not worry if you are not sure right now. Just pick a board and move forward.
Adding a link so people can click through
The destination link is the web address that opens when someone clicks your pin. This is required — you cannot create a pin without one. Paste the full web address into the "Link" field, starting with "https://".
The link should point to the actual page you are sharing — the recipe page, the article, the product page, or whatever the pin is about. Do not link to your homepage or a general website. People click a pin because they want to read or see the specific thing the pin describes, so send them directly there.
If you are sharing your own content, make sure the link works before you finish creating the pin. Click it yourself to confirm it opens the right page. If the link is broken, people will click your pin and hit an error page, and they will not come back.
Finishing and publishing your pin
Once you have added an image, title, description, board, and link, scroll down and click "Save" (on a computer) or tap "Save" (on your phone). Your pin is now live. It will appear on your board immediately, and it will start showing up in search results and in the feeds of people who follow you or follow that board.
You can edit a pin after you create it. On a computer, hover over the pin and click the pencil icon. On your phone, tap the three dots on the pin and select "Edit pin". You can change the title, description, image, or link anytime. Changes take effect right away.
If you want to create more pins, repeat the process. Many people create several pins for the same article or page — different images, different titles, different descriptions — because different versions reach different people in search.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size image should I use for a pin?
Pinterest works best with vertical images that are 1000 pixels tall and 600 pixels wide. You can use other sizes, but vertical images take up more space on the screen and get more attention. If your image is smaller than 1000 pixels tall, Pinterest will still let you use it, but it may look blurry on some devices.
Can I create a pin without linking to a website?
No. Every pin must have a destination link. If you just want to save an image for yourself without sharing it, use the bookmark feature instead — tap the bookmark icon on any image you find on Pinterest or the web.
What happens if I create a pin and no one clicks it?
Pins that do not get clicks or saves will appear less often in search results over time. If a pin is not performing, you can edit it with a better title or description, or delete it and create a new version. Pinterest does not penalize you for pins that do not get engagement.
Can I schedule a pin to post at a specific time?
On a computer, yes. When you create a pin, look for the "Schedule" option below the save button. You can choose a date and time for the pin to publish. On the Pinterest app, you cannot schedule pins — they publish immediately when you tap save.
Do I need to be a business to create pins?
No. Any account can create pins. You do not need a business account or special permission. If you run a website, blog, or online store, creating pins is a free way to send traffic to it.