A LinkedIn banner is an important part of your LinkedIn profile. It appears just below your profile photo and headline and is essentially your “cover photo” for your LinkedIn profile. Your LinkedIn banner acts as a background image for your profile and is a great way to showcase your personality, field of work or industry. It’s also an opportunity to use eye-catching visuals to draw people into your profile.
When designing your LinkedIn banner, you want to make sure you are using the correct dimensions and file types to ensure it displays properly across desktop and mobile. You also want to optimize the image and text for maximum visibility and impact. Here are the key things to consider when creating a LinkedIn banner in the ideal format.
What are the LinkedIn banner dimensions?
LinkedIn banners display differently depending on the device, so you need to design your banner in both desktop and mobile sizes:
- Desktop banner size: 1536 x 768 pixels
- Mobile banner size: 1128 x 376 pixels
Designing your banner for both desktop and mobile ensures it will look great regardless of how users view your profile. The desktop size allows your banner to make a visual impact on larger screens, while the mobile version keeps things readable on small screens.
What file type should a LinkedIn banner be?
LinkedIn recommends using JPG or PNG file formats for your banner image. These are the best formats for maintaining image quality while keeping file sizes small.
Avoid using GIFs for your banner, as these will not render properly. Stick to high resolution JPG or PNG files.
How can I optimize the image and text?
To make your banner look great, you need to optimize both the visuals and text:
- Use high quality, eye-catching images that represent you or your industry
- Include imagery such as products, workspace, or graphics
- Add readable, compelling text like your name, tagline, or call-to-action
- Use bold colors that stand out on the white background
- Place text in the right spots for maximum visibility
Because banners have a light background, darker visuals and text tend to stand out best. Play around with image filters to make your colors pop. Avoid cluttering the banner space with too many competing elements. Use clean, simple text for the most impact.
Where to Place Text and Images
When designing your LinkedIn banner, you need to strategically place text and images for optimal visibility. Because people view banners differently depending on their device, this positioning will vary.
Text and Image Placement for Desktop
For desktop banners, you want to place text and important imagery near the left-hand side, since this shows up prominently on wider screens. Here are the best places to position elements on a desktop banner:
- Left aligned text in the bottom left corner
- Logo or branding in the top left corner
- Key visuals on the left side
Avoid placing text or important visuals near the right side, since this area gets cut off on some desktop displays. Keep essential elements left aligned.
Text and Image Placement for Mobile
On mobile devices, the center and top center areas have the most visibility. Place important text and images there:
- Centered text near the top
- Logos or branding at the top center
- Visuals in the vertical center of the banner
The sides of mobile banners are more likely to get cut off, so keep visuals and text near the vertical center. Make sure imagery is still clear and readable on small screens.
Ideal Text Size and Style
When adding text to your LinkedIn banner, you want to ensure it is readable and eye-catching. Follow these best practices for text:
- Use at least a 24px font size
- Larger headline text can be 48px or more
- Stick to simple, clean fonts like Arial or Helvetica
- Use bold fonts for maximum impact
- Keep text brief and compelling
- Employ title case or all caps for prominence
Avoid using lengthy paragraphs of text that are hard to read. Instead, make text concise and scannable. Use strong, keyword-rich headings to draw attention.
Examples of Effective LinkedIn Banner Formats
To give you an idea of how to use visuals, text, color, and more to create an eye-catching LinkedIn banner, here are some examples of effective designs:
Minimalist Banner
| Visuals | – Simple logo in top left – Plain background color |
| Text | – Name prominently displayed – Tagline/subtitle centrally aligned |
| Colors | – Dark background color like blue, black, or green – White or light text |
A minimalist banner uses limited visuals and text contrasted against a bold background to create impact. The focus is on the name/branding and concise text.
Industry-Focused Banner
| Visuals | – Relevant industry image like a tech workspace or financial charts – Small logo in corner |
| Text | – Industry name or professional role – Short value proposition/tagline |
| Colors | – Image colors complement the background – Bright text stands out against the image |
An industry-focused banner uses imagery related to the field and eye-catching text to create visual interest and communicate expertise.
Creative Graphic Banner
| Visuals | – Attention-grabbing graphic or illustration – Imaginative imagery |
| Text | – Creative phrasing or slogan – Short and sweet |
| Colors | – Vibrant, multi-colored visuals – White or colored text |
A creative graphic banner uses vivid imagery, illustrations or photos paired with clever text in a colorful, eye-catching layout.
Conclusion
Optimizing your LinkedIn banner with the ideal image sizes, text placement, fonts and visuals can greatly enhance your profile’s impact and branding. Use bold, industry-relevant imagery and simple, compelling text positioned strategically to create a banner that engages viewers on both desktop and mobile. With a well-designed banner that represents you or your business, you can make a memorable impression on anyone who visits your LinkedIn profile.