How to Make a LinkedIn Carousel That Gets Saved
Ideas, a slide by slide structure, design rules and how to upload a PDF carousel, from someone whose carousels run 30+ slides.
A LinkedIn carousel is a PDF uploaded as a document post that people swipe through slide by slide. To make one: pick one useful idea, outline 7 to 12 slides, write a cover slide that works like a hook, keep each slide to one point with very few words, design it in a tool like Canva at 1080 x 1350 pixels, export as PDF and upload it with a short caption.
Carousels have been one of my best formats for growth. They are easy to save, easy to share and great for frameworks and step by step content. People often notice that my carousels have 30+ slides with fewer than 10 words on each. That is the whole trick: make every slide effortless to read.
Here is exactly how to make one, from idea to upload.
What is a LinkedIn carousel?
LinkedIn's native carousel post type was retired, so "carousel" now means a document post: you upload a PDF and LinkedIn displays it as swipeable slides in the feed. Each page of the PDF becomes one slide.
Why carousels work
- They hold attention. Every swipe keeps someone on your post longer.
- They get saved. Frameworks and checklists are things people want to come back to.
- They teach well. Steps, comparisons and examples are easier to show than to describe.
- They stand out. A strong cover slide is visually different from text posts in the feed.
Best carousel ideas
- Step by step guides: "How to [result] in 7 steps".
- Checklists: "The 10 point LinkedIn profile checklist".
- Mistakes: "7 mistakes that kill your [result]".
- Before and after: rewrites of headlines, posts or emails.
- Frameworks: your method, broken into parts.
- Tool or resource lists: "The 5 tools I use for [task]".
Carousel structure, slide by slide
| Slide | Job |
|---|---|
| 1. Cover | The hook. Big title, clear promise, your name or face |
| 2. Problem or context | Why this matters to the reader |
| 3 to 10. Value | One point, step or example per slide |
| Second to last. Summary | The whole idea in one slide, perfect for screenshots |
| Last. Call to action | Follow, save, comment or visit your Featured section |
How to write the cover slide
The cover does the same job as a post hook: it decides whether anyone swipes. Strong covers are short and specific, such as "How to Write a LinkedIn Headline (With 30 Examples)" or "7 Profile Fixes That Take 10 Minutes". Use large text, high contrast and a promise the reader can see at a glance. My hook formulas in how to write LinkedIn posts work just as well for covers.
Design rules
- Size: portrait 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5) takes up the most space on mobile. Square 1080 x 1080 also works.
- Few words per slide: aim for under 10 to 20 words. If a slide needs a paragraph, split it.
- Big fonts: titles that are readable on a phone without zooming.
- Consistent template: the same layout, colors and fonts on every slide, so it looks like yours.
- Visual progress: number your slides or steps so readers know where they are.
- Brand lightly: your name and photo on the cover and a small handle on each slide is enough.
Tools to make a carousel
- Canva: the easiest option, with plenty of templates. Set a custom size of 1080 x 1350.
- Google Slides, Keynote or PowerPoint: set the slide size to 4:5 and export as PDF.
- Figma: great if you want full design control.
- Carousel generators: several tools turn text into slides. Useful for speed, but customize the design.
How to upload a carousel to LinkedIn
- Export your slides as a single PDF.
- Start a post on LinkedIn and choose the document option (on mobile it is under the "+" or "more" menu).
- Upload the PDF and give the document a clear title. That title shows on the post.
- Write a short caption: a hook line, one or two lines of context and a question or call to action.
- Post, then stay online to reply to comments.
How many slides should a carousel have?
As many as the idea needs and no more. 7 to 12 slides is a good default. Longer carousels can work very well when each slide is quick to read, which is why my longer ones keep the word count so low. If people drop off, cut slides or simplify them.
Carousel mistakes
- Text-heavy slides that look like a slide deck from a boardroom.
- A vague cover that does not promise anything.
- Tiny fonts that are unreadable on mobile.
- No summary slide, so there is nothing to screenshot or save.
- Writing a long caption that repeats the whole carousel.
Make carousels part of your weekly plan
One carousel a week is a great anchor for your content calendar. See LinkedIn content strategy for how to fit it in, and how the LinkedIn algorithm works for why saves matter.
Want carousel templates and feedback on your slides? Both are free inside The Growth Innovator community on Skool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a LinkedIn carousel?
A LinkedIn carousel is a PDF uploaded as a document post, which LinkedIn displays as swipeable slides in the feed.
What size should a LinkedIn carousel be?
Portrait 1080 x 1350 pixels (4:5) takes up the most space on mobile. Square 1080 x 1080 also works.
How many slides should a LinkedIn carousel have?
As many as the idea needs. Seven to twelve slides is a good default, and longer carousels work when every slide is quick to read.
How do I upload a carousel to LinkedIn?
Export your slides as one PDF, start a post, choose the document option, upload the PDF, give it a title and add a short caption.
What is the best tool to make LinkedIn carousels?
Canva is the easiest for most people. Google Slides, Keynote, PowerPoint and Figma also work if you export a PDF.
