The LinkedIn cover photo is one of the most important elements of your LinkedIn profile. It’s the large banner image that appears just below your profile photo and serves as the backdrop for your profile. The size of the LinkedIn cover photo is standardized so that it renders properly across all devices and profiles. Knowing the ideal dimensions to use when designing your LinkedIn cover image is key to creating an eye-catching and effective cover photo.
Recommended Size for LinkedIn Cover Photos
The recommended size for a LinkedIn cover photo is 1584 x 396 pixels. These are the optimum dimensions that will ensure your cover photo displays properly at full size on desktop, mobile devices, and across various screens.
Here is a breakdown of the key dimensions:
Width | 1584 pixels |
Height | 396 pixels |
When uploading your cover photo to LinkedIn, the image will be automatically cropped to fit this 1584 x 396 pixel size. Any parts of the photo that extend beyond these dimensions will not be visible.
The cover photo displays at this full 1584 x 396 size on desktop. On mobile devices and smaller screens, it will scale down proportionally while maintaining the same widescreen horizontal orientation.
Cover Photo Dimensions for Different Devices
While 1584 x 396 pixels is the one standard size for all LinkedIn cover photos, the way the image displays varies slightly across different devices and screens.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of how the cover photo dimensions render on different interfaces:
Desktop Display
On desktop, the LinkedIn cover photo will display at its full 1584 x 396 pixel size. This allows it to make the biggest visual impact on larger computer screens.
Mobile Display
On mobile devices like smartphones, the cover photo will scale down to fit the smaller screen but maintain its widescreen horizontal proportions. The height will reduce more significantly than the width.
Common mobile cover photo sizes:
– iPhone – 1555 x 303 pixels
– Android – 1536 x 307 pixels
So the photo will be nearly the full 1584 pixel width but the height condenses to about 300 pixels instead of 396.
LinkedIn Mobile App
In the LinkedIn mobile app, the cover photo is cropped into a square shape rather than a horizontal banner. Only the center square portion of your cover photo will be shown.
The mobile app cover photo dimensions are:
– 768 x 768 pixels (square crop)
This means you should focus the most important visual elements of your cover photo in the center, since the sides will be cropped in the mobile app view.
Shared Links, Feed Posts, and Other Displays
When your profile with the cover photo is displayed in LinkedIn feed updates, shared links, and other spots around the site, it will be cropped and resized accordingly. You generally don’t need to worry about optimizing your cover photo for these secondary displays. The key is that it looks great at the 1584 x 396 full size.
Design Tips for 1584 x 396 Pixel Cover Photos
When creating a LinkedIn cover photo that pops, keep these design tips in mind:
Use High Resolution Images
Since LinkedIn cover photos can display up to a wide 1584 pixel width on desktop, you’ll want to use high resolution images that won’t become distorted, pixelated, or blurry at larger sizes. Using photos taken on your phone may not produce crisp enough quality.
Include Relevant Visuals
The cover photo is valuable visual real estate for expressing your professional brand. Make sure to use images, logos, text, colors, and other elements that represent you, your industry, or your company.
Highlight Your Face
Studies show LinkedIn profiles are more effective when your face is visible. Include a professional headshot or full body image of yourself.
Use Minimal Text
You don’t want a cover photo cluttered with too much text. Aim for short, eye-catching phrases. Or no text at all.
Focus on Central Area
Remember the central section of your photo will be most visible, especially on mobile. Place important elements in the middle for maximum impact.
Review on Multiple Devices
Preview how your cover photo looks on desktop and mobile after uploading. This will help you perfect the design for different displays.
Image File Type Requirements
Along with size, the other key requirement for LinkedIn cover photos is using the right image file format.
LinkedIn only accepts JPG or PNG file types when uploading cover photos. Other formats like GIF will not work.
Here are the requirements:
File Type | JPG or PNG |
Max File Size | 8 MB |
PNG files are lossless and offer transparency, so they’re ideal if you’re overlaying text or logos on the cover image. JPG compresses with some data loss but may be smaller for photo-centric images.
Tools to Create Cover Photos
You don’t need fancy graphic design skills to make a stunning LinkedIn cover photo. There are many easy online tools and templates to help you.
Here are some popular options:
LinkedIn Cover Photo Templates
LinkedIn provides customizable templates right in the cover photo uploader tool. You can select a template and add your own images and text.
Canva
Canva offers professionally designed templates sized for LinkedIn cover photos. You can customize the templates and export your design.
Creative Market
Creative Market has cover photo templates and graphics available for purchase and download.
PicMonkey
PicMonkey is an easy to use online photo editor with templates and design tools to create great looking cover photos.
Adobe Photoshop
For advanced graphic design work, Adobe Photoshop remains an industry standard tool for compositing images and text into polished cover photo designs.
Tips for Taking Your Own Cover Photo
Taking your own cover photo can be a smart way to get an original shot that represents your personal brand.
Here are some tips for DIY LinkedIn cover photography:
Use a DSLR Camera
A digital SLR camera will provide higher resolution photos that won’t be pixelated or blurry when displayed at 1584 pixel width.
Shoot Horizontally
Compose your shot horizontally to match the widescreen cover photo shape.
Use Simple Backdrops
Plain solid color or subtle gradient backgrounds work best for drawing focus on you.
Portraits and Full Body Shots
Capture headshots, three-quarter body shots, or full body images to showcase your professionalism.
Natural Lighting
Shoot near windows or outdoors on overcast days to get soft, flattering lighting on you.
Focus on Center Area
Remember the central portion of the photo will be most prominent, especially on mobile displays.
Get Sharp Focus
Make sure focus is tack sharp on your eyes and face. Shallow depth of field can help blur the background.
Shoot High Resolution
Capture photos at the highest megapixel setting on your camera, like 300dpi, for maximum flexibility in sizing and cropping.
Add Variety
Take multiple shots with different poses and perspectives for more options when selecting your top choices to test on your profile.
Common LinkedIn Cover Photo Mistakes to Avoid
While creating your LinkedIn cover image, be sure to steer clear of these common mistakes that could make your profile look unprofessional:
Pixelated Images
Low resolution photos will degrade into visible pixels and fuzziness when displayed in the wide cover photo dimensions. Always use high res photos.
Stock Photos
Generic stock imagery lacks personality. Use original photos that authentically represent you whenever possible.
Outdated Photos
Old photos with different looks, hairstyles, etc can appear inconsistent. Use recent photos that reflect how you currently appear.
Messy Backgrounds
Cluttered backgrounds with too many elements distract from you. Clean backdrops work best.
Too Much Text
Avoid cramming a lot of tiny text that will be unreadable. Keep text short and easy to absorb at a glance.
Incorrect Dimensions
Using photos with incorrect dimensions will lead to unwanted cropping. Always size images to 1584 x 396.
Incorrect File Type
Using file formats other than JPG or PNG will result in upload errors. Double check your file type.
Off-Brand Images
Photos with no connection to your industry or company may confuse viewers about your professional focus.
Conclusion
Optimizing your LinkedIn cover photo with the ideal 1584 x 396 pixel size will make your profile stand out and leave visitors with a strong visual impression. Following the tips in this guide will help you create an on-brand, professional cover photo that effectively complements the rest of your profile. With a photo that grabs attention and conveys your unique personal brand, you’ll be sure to make meaningful connections and advance your career goals through LinkedIn.