The LinkedIn cover image is one of the most important elements of your LinkedIn profile. It’s the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so it needs to make a great first impression. But with limited space to work with, it can be tricky to design a cover that looks good and includes all the key information you want to convey. One of the most common questions is: what is the safe zone for your LinkedIn cover image?
The safe zone refers to the central area of the cover image that is visible on all devices. On desktop, LinkedIn cover images are 1584 x 396 pixels. However, on mobile devices, the sides of the image get cut off, so only about 1146 x 220 pixels are consistently visible. This central “safe” zone is where you want to place the most important visual elements and text that you want to be seen.
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the recommended safe zone for LinkedIn covers and provide tips on how to design eye-catching, effective covers that display well across desktop and mobile.
LinkedIn Cover Dimensions
Let’s start with the basic dimensions for LinkedIn covers:
- Desktop size: 1584 x 396 pixels
- Mobile size: 640 x 220 pixels (but a safe zone of about 1146 x 220 pixels is recommended)
On desktop, members see the full 1584 x 396 pixel cover when viewing profiles. But on mobile, the sides get cut off, so only about 1146 x 220 pixels are visible.
This means you need to be strategic with how you use the space. The edges might look great on desktop, but that content will be cropped on mobile.
The Safe Zone
To ensure all key information is seen, focus on the safe zone, which is approximately:
- 1146 pixels wide
- 220 pixels tall
This central area will remain visible across desktop and mobile. Place critical information like headline text, logos, and visuals here to ensure they aren’t cropped.
You can still use the full 1584 x 396 pixel space for backgrounds and decorative elements. Just avoid putting anything essential outside the 1146 x 220 pixel safe zone.
Tips for Designing Within the Safe Zone
Here are some best practices for designing effective LinkedIn covers within the safe zone:
Keep Headlines Short and Simple
Your headline is one of the first things people will look at. Keep it short, simple, and descriptive. Summarize who you are and what you have to offer in a few concise words.
Good headline examples include:
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Product Design Leader
- Passionate Educator
Long headlines will be harder to read and understand. Try to keep your headline under 40 characters.
Use High Quality Professional Photos
Include a professional headshot of yourself. This gives your profile a human touch and helps people easily recognize you. Make sure the photo is high quality, well-lit, and framed correctly. Avoid casual selfies or distracting backgrounds.
You can also include relevant photos of your business, products, services, or team. Just be sure they are professional.
Showcase Your Skills and Accomplishments
Provide a snapshot of your top skills, achievements, certifications, and credentials. For example:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Top Sales Award 2017 | 2018 | 2019
- 15+ years experience
This gives viewers an immediate understanding of what you bring to the table.
Keep Branding and Text Simple
If you want to include a logo or company name, choose a clean, simple design that won’t clutter the cover. Avoid long names or dense text.
Use an easy-to-read font in a size that remains legible and doesn’t dominate the cover. Recommended font sizes are 34-44 pts for headlines and 24-28 pts for body text.
Use High Contrast Colors
Ensure all text and important elements have high contrast from the background color. Dark text on a light background works best for readability. Avoid similar hues or low contrast combinations.
Include a Call-to-Action (Optional)
A relevant call-to-action like “Contact Me” or “Hire Me” can work well. Just keep it short and eye-catching. Use contrasting colors and make sure it stands out.
Examples of Effective Safe Zone Use
Here are a few examples of LinkedIn covers that effectively leverage the safe zone:
Minimalist Look with Headline and Photo
This cover focuses just on the essentials within the safe zone. It features a bold headline, professional headshot, and simple background.
Clean Branding and Call-to-Action
This cover incorporates branding through a simple logo and tagline. The dark text stands out clearly against the light background. A call-to-action button prompts viewers to get in touch.
Skill Highlights and Awards
This cover summarizes top skills and awards right below the member’s photo. The most important details are highlighted clearly within the safe zone.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some key do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
Do:
- Keep headlines short and simple
- Use high quality professional photos
- Showcase your top skills and achievements
- Ensure branding is clean and minimal
- Use high contrast colors
Don’t:
- Put important text or images outside the safe zone
- Use cluttered or complex branding
- Include long headlines or dense text
- Use low contrast color combinations
- Let your call-to-action overwhelm the cover
Conclusion
The LinkedIn cover image safe zone spans about 1146 x 220 pixels in the center of the desktop dimensions. This is the area that remains consistently visible across all devices. Keep all essential information like headlines, branding, photos, and calls-to-action within this space. Craft a clean, professional design that summarizes who you are and what you offer. Follow the tips in this article to create a LinkedIn cover that looks fantastic and conveys the right impression wherever it’s viewed.