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 when they land on the profile. It’s a big rectangular space that sits behind your profile photo, offering an opportunity to showcase your professional brand, personality, or specific career achievements. A well-designed LinkedIn banner can transform your profile’s overall presentation, causing you to be appear more professional and polished.
However, if your banner just isn't sized properly, it can appear pixelated, distorted, or take off, making a negative impression. In this article, we’ll explain the best linkedin banner size, the way to design your header image, and provide tips for optimizing it to get a more professional LinkedIn presence.
What is a LinkedIn Profile Banner?
The LinkedIn profile banner (also referred to as the background photo) is the large horizontal image located near the top of your profile, just behind your profile picture. Unlike your profile photo, which is a small circular image signifying you, the banner provides ample space to visually enhance your profile.
While your profile picture portrays your own personal identity, the banner offers more freedom for creativity. This space is usually used to display a business logo, an expert image, a private brand, or a visual linked to your field of expertise.
Ideal LinkedIn Banner Size
To be sure that your banner looks crisp and professional on all devices, it’s important 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 helps to ensure that your banner image is large enough to produce well on desktop and mobile devices without becoming pixelated or blurry. A wider image enables better resolution, especially on high-definition screens.
Height (396 pixels): The 396-pixel height is optimal for displaying the banner without distortion, while fitting neatly into LinkedIn’s profile layout. If the image is too short, it could appear stretched or cropped.
Aspect Ratio (4:1): This aspect ratio means 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 perfect size on your LinkedIn banner, here are some design ideas to help you create a standout background image:
1. Keep Important Elements Centered
While LinkedIn provides for some flexibility, the banner will be cropped differently on desktop and cellular devices. On mobile, the perimeters of the banner are often cut off, so it’s necessary to keep key components—such as text, logos, or personal branding—centered inside middle of the look to ensure visibility across devices.
2. Use High-Quality Images
To avoid a pixelated or blurry banner, only use high-resolution images. A sharp and crisp image will create an experienced first impression and ensure that your banner looks clean across various screen sizes.
3. Make Your Banner Reflect Your Professional Identity
The banner is a chance to highlight your profession, career, or expertise. If you are employed in design, by way of example, you might showcase a number of your best work. If you’re in marketing, a banner using a compelling slogan or possibly a call to action might be fitting. For those who work in corporate roles, a straightforward but elegant design using your company logo may be ideal.
4. Choose Colors That Complement Your Profile Picture
Since your profile picture can look over the banner, take into account the colors of your profile photo when designing your banner. Ensure that the colors don’t clash and that the photo is clearly visible. Choose colors that align with your own 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 the minimalist design with just a few key elements that communicate your professional identity without distraction.
6. Align with Your Brand or Industry
For business people, freelancers, or those who work in creative fields, your LinkedIn banner can be quite a way to market your services or brand. Consider incorporating your logo, slogan, or possibly a tagline. For individuals in corporate or higher traditional fields, a professional photo associated with your industry or expertise might be a great option.
What to Avoid in the 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 from the banner gets cropped on mobile phones, avoid placing key components (like text or logos) too close to the edges. Stick to the center for maximum visibility.
Irrelevant or Inconsistent Visuals: Make sure the visuals in your banner are relevant to your professional identity. Avoid images or graphics that don’t align with your career or expertise.
How to Upload and Change Your LinkedIn Banner
To upload or change your LinkedIn profile banner:
Go to your LinkedIn profile page.
Hover over your current banner (background photo), and click the camera icon in the upper-right corner of the banner area.
Select the "Upload Photo" option.
Choose the image you want to upload from your computer (ensure it’s the recommended size).
Adjust the image if necessary by moving or resizing it.
Click "Apply" to save the changes.
Your LinkedIn profile banner is more than just an attractive background—it's a robust tool that may help you showcase your professional brand, highlight your expertise, and build a polished and impressive first impression for visitors. By following the recommended height and width of 1584 x 396 pixels and staying with the best practices for design, you will make your banner a compelling part of one's LinkedIn profile that sticks out to prospects, employers, or colleagues.