LinkedIn Profile Banner Size: How to Design the Perfect Header Image
LinkedIn Profile Banner Size: How to Design the Perfect Header Image
Blog Article
Your LinkedIn profile banner may be the first visual element that visitors notice whenever they land in your profile. It’s a large rectangular space that sits behind your profile photo, offering a way to showcase your professional brand, personality, or specific career achievements. A well-designed LinkedIn banner can increase your profile’s overall presentation, making you appear more professional and polished.
However, if the banner is not sized properly, it could appear pixelated, distorted, or cut off, setting up a negative impression. In this article, we’ll explain the perfect linkedin profile banner size, how to design your header image, and offer tips for optimizing it for a more professional LinkedIn presence.
What can be a LinkedIn Profile Banner?
The LinkedIn profile banner (also known as the background photo) will be the large horizontal image located at the top of your profile, just behind your profile picture. Unlike your profile photo, which can be a small circular image that represents you, the banner provides ample space to visually transform your profile.
While your profile picture portrays your individual identity, the banner offers more freedom for creativity. This space is commonly used to display a corporate logo, an experienced image, an individual brand, or possibly a visual associated with your field of know-how.
Ideal LinkedIn Banner Size
To ensure your banner looks crisp and professional on all devices, it’s imperative to use the correct dimensions. LinkedIn recommends the following size for optimal display:
Recommended Dimensions: 1584 x 396 pixels
Aspect Ratio: 4:1 (width to height)
Maximum File Size: 8MB
File Formats: JPG, PNG, or GIF
Why These Dimensions Matter
Width (1584 pixels): This width means that your banner image is large enough to show well on desktop and mobile phones without becoming pixelated or blurry. A wider image allows for better resolution, especially on high-definition screens.
Height (396 pixels): The 396-pixel height is optimal for displaying the banner without distortion, whilst fitting neatly into LinkedIn’s profile layout. If the image is way too short, it may appear stretched or cropped.
Aspect Ratio (4:1): This aspect ratio makes sure that the image appears proportional on both desktop and mobile views. Images that follow this ratio won’t get cropped or distorted.
Best Practices for Designing Your LinkedIn Banner
Now that you know the optimal size for the LinkedIn banner, below are a few design tips to help you create a standout background image:
1. Keep Important Elements Centered
While LinkedIn enables some flexibility, the banner will probably be cropped differently on desktop and mobile phones. On mobile, the sides of the banner are often take off, so it’s vital to keep key elements—such as text, logos, or personal branding—centered inside the middle of the picture to ensure visibility across devices.
2. Use High-Quality Images
To avoid a pixelated or blurry banner, always use high-resolution images. A sharp and crisp image will create an expert first impression and make certain that your banner looks clean across various screen sizes.
3. Make Your Banner Reflect Your Professional Identity
The banner is the opportunity to highlight your profession, career, or expertise. If you work in design, for instance, you could showcase several of your best work. If you’re in marketing, a banner with a compelling slogan or perhaps a call to action could be fitting. For those involved with corporate roles, a fairly easy but elegant design with your company logo could be ideal.
4. Choose Colors That Complement Your Profile Picture
Since your profile picture will show up over the banner, consider the colors of the profile photo when making your banner. Ensure that the colours don’t clash and that your particular photo is clearly visible. Choose colors that align with your personal brand, industry, or LinkedIn profile content.
5. Avoid Clutter
Keep your LinkedIn banner design clean and uncluttered. Too much text or overly busy images can overwhelm visitors. Instead, opt for any minimalist design with just a couple of key elements that communicate your professional identity without distraction.
6. Align with Your Brand or Industry
For companies, freelancers, or those involved with creative fields, your LinkedIn banner is usually a way to advertise your services or brand. Consider incorporating your logo, slogan, or a tagline. For individuals in corporate or even more traditional fields, an expert photo associated with your industry or expertise could be a great option.
What to Avoid in a very LinkedIn Banner
To make the most of your respective LinkedIn banner, there are a number of things you should avoid:
Low-Resolution Images: Avoid using blurry or pixelated images, as they can give a bad impression. Always use high-quality, sharp images.
Overloading the Banner with Text: Too much text can make your banner look cluttered and distract from your profile picture. Keep text minimal and legible.
Important Information Near the Edges: Since parts of the banner could get cropped on mobile devices, avoid placing important components (like text or logos) too near to the edges. Stick to the center for optimum visibility.
Irrelevant or Inconsistent Visuals: Make sure the visuals inside your banner are highly relevant to your professional identity. Avoid images or graphics that don’t align along with your career or expertise.
How to Upload and Change Your LinkedIn Banner
To upload or make positive changes to LinkedIn profile banner:
Go in your LinkedIn profile page.
Hover over your existing banner (background photo), and click on the camera icon inside the upper-right corner from the banner area.
Select the "Upload Photo" option.
Choose the look you want to upload out of your computer (ensure it’s the recommended size).
Adjust the look if necessary by moving or resizing it.
Click "Apply" in order to save the changes.
Your LinkedIn profile banner is much more than just a decorative background—it's a powerful tool to help you showcase your professional brand, highlight your expertise, and create a polished and impressive first impression for visitors. By following the recommended size of 1584 x 396 pixels and adhering to the best practices for design, you can make your banner a compelling part of your respective LinkedIn profile that shines to clients, employers, or colleagues.