YouTube Banner Size and Safe Area
The official YouTube channel banner dimensions, the safe area for text, how to upload it, and the profile picture and watermark sizes that go with it.
In short: YouTube recommends a 2560 × 1440 px banner (especially for TV), with a minimum upload of 2048 × 1152 px at 16:9 and a file size of 6 MB or less. Keep text and logos in the centred safe area: 1235 × 338 px at the minimum size, roughly 1544 × 423 px at 2560 × 1440. Everything outside it may be cropped on phones and computers.
Last reviewed: 6 October 2026
YouTube banner size at a glance
| Spec | YouTube Help says |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 2560 × 1440 px (especially for TV) |
| Minimum upload size | 2048 × 1152 px, aspect ratio 16:9 |
| Safe area for text and logos | 1235 × 338 px at the minimum size, centred |
| File size | 6 MB or smaller |
| Avoid | Extra embellishments such as shadows, borders and frames |
From YouTube Help, Manage your channel branding and Channel banner and profile picture tips, checked 6 October 2026. Viral In City is independent and not affiliated with YouTube or Google.
Why the safe area matters
YouTube uses the same banner image on computers, phones and TVs, but shows it differently on each. Images should fill the whole screen on large devices, and YouTube warns they will get cropped on certain views and devices (YouTube Help).
In practice, the full image shows mainly on large screens, while other views show a cropped strip. The part that shows everywhere is the centred safe area, which is 1235 × 338 px on a 2048 × 1152 image.
If you design at the recommended 2560 × 1440 px, scale the safe area by the same amount: roughly 1544 × 423 px in the centre.
The 2560 × 1440 safe area is our own proportional calculation from YouTube’s figures, rounded; YouTube publishes the 1235 × 338 figure for the 2048 × 1152 minimum.
- Inside the safe area: channel name, tagline, upload schedule, logo.
- Outside it: background colour, texture or a photo that still looks fine when cropped.
How to design a YouTube banner, step by step
- Create a 2560 × 1440 px canvas in your design tool.
- Mark the centred safe area (about 1544 × 423 px at this size) with guides.
- Fill the whole canvas with a background that works when cropped: a colour, a gradient or a wide photo.
- Put the essentials in the safe area: what the channel is about and, if you post on a schedule, when. YouTube’s own tips suggest adding your upload schedule so fans know when to come back (YouTube Help).
- Keep it simple. One short line of text reads better on a phone than three.
- Export under 6 MB, as a common image format such as JPG or PNG.
You can crop or resize an image to 2560 × 1440 in your browser with our image size guide and resizer.
How to upload or change your banner
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- From the left menu, select Customization, then Profile.
- Next to the banner image, click Change and select your image.
- Check the previews, adjust the crop and click Done.
- Click Publish.
Steps from Manage your channel branding. Official Artist Channels manage separate banners for TV and YouTube Music; see the same page.
Profile picture and watermark sizes
Your banner works together with your profile picture and video watermark. YouTube Help lists these requirements (Manage your channel branding):
| Item | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Profile picture | JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG (no animated GIFs), up to 15 MB, renders at 98 × 98 px; a square or round image works best |
| Video watermark | Square image, at least 150 × 150 px, under 1 MB; show it at the end of the video (last 15 seconds), from a custom start time or for the entire video |
Because the profile picture shows so small, use a simple logo or a clear face. Watermarks aren’t available on videos set as made for kids.
Banner ideas that work
- Promise plus schedule: “Easy weeknight recipes · New videos every Friday”.
- Who it’s for: “Strength training for beginners over 40”.
- Brand consistency: the same colours and logo as your website and other social profiles. YouTube’s tips stress a consistent look across your profile picture and banner.
- Seasonal refresh: update the banner for a launch, a new series or a rebrand. YouTube suggests asking viewers to vote on new visuals using posts or Shorts.
Avoid tiny text, busy collages and arrows pointing to a subscribe button whose position changes by device.
Common banner mistakes
- Text outside the safe area that gets cut off on phones.
- Uploading below 2048 × 1152 px, the minimum.
- Files over 6 MB. Compress the image or export as JPG.
- Borders, shadows or frames, which YouTube says not to add.
- Checking only on a computer. Preview on a phone and, if your audience watches on TV, on a TV.
Setting up the rest of the channel? See how to start a YouTube channel, the official YouTube thumbnail size and our YouTube description generator.
All YouTube image sizes in one table
| Image | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Channel banner | 2560 × 1440 px recommended; 2048 × 1152 minimum | 16:9, 6 MB max, safe area 1235 × 338 at the minimum size |
| Profile picture | Renders at 98 × 98 px | JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG, up to 15 MB, no animated GIFs |
| Video watermark | At least 150 × 150 px, square | Under 1 MB |
| Video thumbnail | 3840 × 2160 px (16:9) | Minimum width 640 px; see our thumbnail guide for file limits |
| Shorts thumbnail | 2160 × 3840 px (9:16) | Minimum height 640 px; custom Shorts thumbnails are added in YouTube Studio on a computer |
Banner, profile picture and watermark from Manage your channel branding; thumbnails from Add video thumbnails, as covered in our YouTube thumbnail size guide.
Three banner layouts to copy
- Centred text on a colour: a solid brand colour across the full 2560 × 1440 canvas, with your channel promise in large text in the safe area and a small logo beside it. Simple, readable and hard to get wrong.
- Photo background, text on a band: a wide photo (your studio, kitchen or product range) with a semi-transparent band behind the text, so it stays legible on every device.
- Schedule-first: the channel name on one line and the schedule (“New videos every Tuesday”) on the next. Good for channels that post on a fixed day.
Whatever you choose, check the previews and adjust the crop in YouTube Studio before you click Publish.
Banner checklist before you publish
- Canvas is 2560 × 1440 px (or at least 2048 × 1152).
- All text and logos sit inside the centred safe area.
- File is 6 MB or smaller.
- No added borders, frames or drop shadows around the image.
- Text is readable on a phone screen.
- Colours and logo match your profile picture and other social profiles.
- The schedule on the banner is one you can keep.
Want your channel branded and managed?
We design channel branding and manage YouTube channels: Shorts, titles, descriptions and thumbnails. Start with a free social media audit or ask for a custom quote. If you prefer chat, message us on WhatsApp at +91 8827409728. See our YouTube management service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a YouTube banner?
YouTube recommends 2560 × 1440 px, especially for TV. The minimum upload size is 2048 × 1152 px at 16:9, and the file must be 6 MB or smaller.
What is the YouTube banner safe area?
At the minimum size of 2048 × 1152 px, the safe area for text and logos is 1235 × 338 px in the centre. At 2560 × 1440 px, that scales to roughly 1544 × 423 px.
Why is my YouTube banner cut off?
YouTube uses the same image on computers, phones and TVs but crops it differently. Only the centred safe area shows everywhere, so keep text and logos inside it.
What file size can a YouTube banner be?
6 MB or smaller, according to YouTube Help.
What size is a YouTube profile picture?
It renders at 98 × 98 px. Upload a JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG (no animated GIFs) up to 15 MB; a square or round image works best.
How do I change my YouTube banner?
In YouTube Studio, go to Customization, then Profile, click Change next to the banner, adjust the crop, click Done and then Publish.
What size is a YouTube watermark?
A square image of at least 150 × 150 px and under 1 MB.
Sources
Sources checked on 6 October 2026.
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