Every social network uses a different shape for its header image, and a banner designed for one platform is usually cropped badly on another. This cheat sheet lists the commonly recommended dimensions and, more usefully, the aspect ratio of each, so you can tell at a glance whether one design can be reused.
Platforms adjust their layouts regularly. Treat these numbers as a starting point and check the platform's own help pages if an upload looks wrong.
Header and cover image sizes
| Platform | Recommended size | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn profile background | 1584 × 396 px | 4 : 1 | Max 8 MB. Profile photo covers the lower-left. |
| LinkedIn company page cover | 1128 × 191 px | ≈ 5.9 : 1 | Much narrower than a personal banner. |
| X (Twitter) header | 1500 × 500 px | 3 : 1 | Max 5 MB. Profile photo overlaps the lower-left. |
| Facebook page cover | 851 × 315 px or larger | ≈ 2.7 : 1 | Cropped differently on desktop and mobile; keep text centred. |
| YouTube channel banner | 2560 × 1440 px | 16 : 9 | Only the central 1546 × 423 area is visible on every device. |
Can I reuse my LinkedIn banner elsewhere?
Only partly. LinkedIn's 4:1 strip is wider than X's 3:1, so if you upload a LinkedIn banner to X, it will be cropped at the sides and text near the edges may be cut. Facebook and YouTube are far taller, so the banner would be heavily cropped or surrounded by empty space.
A practical approach if you want a consistent look:
- Choose one background photo and one line of text.
- Create the LinkedIn version first with our banner maker, which exports exactly 1584 × 396.
- For other platforms, reuse the same photo (Unsplash images are high resolution) and recreate the text at the right ratio in any image editor, keeping it in that platform's safe area.
Universal rules for any header image
- Design for the safe area, not the full canvas. Every platform crops or overlaps part of the header on some devices.
- Upload at the recommended size or larger. Smaller images are stretched and look blurry.
- Use PNG for images with text. JPG compression creates fuzzy halos around letters.
- Check on a phone. Most profile views now happen on mobile.
For LinkedIn specifically, the LinkedIn banner size guide goes into the safe zone and text sizing in more detail.
Make your banner now: the free Social Banner Maker exports a ready-to-upload 1584 × 396 PNG in under a minute, with no sign-up.