YouTube Banner Size Requirements and More for Desktop & Mobile

Refer to this YouTube banner size guide to achieve high-quality graphics for your channel. We'll share the YouTube banner size requirements along with YouTube thumbnail, profile picture/icon, and video size requirements.

For those wondering how to make a good YouTube banner, we've compiled YouTube banner examples from popular channels and listed 10 easy tips to make a good YouTube banner.

YouTube Size Requirements | Desktop & Mobile

YouTube Banner Size

The best YouTube banner size is 2560 x 1440 pixels.

A YouTube channel banner (channel art or header), is similar to a cover photo that represents your brand and content. The ideal YouTube banner size is 2560 x 1440 pixels, but you can use minimum banner dimensions of 2048 x 1152 pixels. For best results, when formatting your YouTube banner size, use a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Need to know your YouTube banner size in inches for printing purposes? The calculator below will convert pixel dimensions to inches accounting for different PPIs.

YouTube Banner File Size & Format

YouTube banner file size recommendations are under 6MB. When it comes to file formats for YouTube banners, JPEG and PNG are widely supported and can handle high-resolution images beautifully. JPEGs are great for photos and images with lots of colours, while PNGs are perfect for images that need transparency or sharp text and graphics.

YouTube Banner Resolution

Because users watch YouTube videos from a variety of devices, including computers, mobile gadgets, and TV, your banner image will look different depending on the device. But wherever it’s viewed, the best size for your channel art or banner is still 2560 x 1440 pixels.

Why Correct Banner Size Matters

The majority of watch time on YouTube is on mobile. So the last thing you want is for your YouTube banner to look stunning on a desktop only for your image to get cut off on mobile. Or vice versa, appear fantastic on mobile but pixelated on desktop. 

So if you're sitting there wondering, "why is my youtube banner blurry?" simply follow the above sizing guidelines and other YouTube tips we've listed. You can guarantee a consistent and impressive visual experience for your audience.

10 Tips on How to Make a Good YouTube Banner

A good YouTube banner is like a welcoming storefront sign - it should be visually appealing and draw people in. So if you're wondering "how to make a good YouTube banner" follows these simple tips:

1. Use correct dimensions - Ensure it's high quality by following the proper YouTube banner size requirements listed above.
2. Use high-quality images - This ensures your banner remains clear and professional looking.
3. Ensure readability - Choose fonts and colours that are easy to read. Avoid overly fancy fonts but opt for unique fonts that align with your desired brand image.
4. Express your brand - Include a tag-line, catch-phrase, logo or any other elements that you want to be associated with your brand. Pay attention to what font styles and colors you use as well. These are important factors in establishing your brand and growing recognition.
5. Highlight important info - Include your upload dates and times, or other CTAs if relevant.
6. Showcase your content - If it makes sense, feature visual representations of your content on your banner to let viewers know what your channel is about.
7. Follow the principles of design - Whether you're new to graphic design or more advanced, consider the principles of design when creating your banner. You may not be creating an art gallery feature but the rules of design still apply to ensure your banner looks good.
8. Get in your audience's head - Try designing a banner that appeals to your audience but remember to remain true to your personal design style.
9. Test it out - Preview your banner on different devices to make sure the text is readable across all of them.
10. Use design tools and templates - You can browse a ton of free YouTube banners on Kittl. They're easily customisable so you can match your brand aesthetic.

Check out our fully customisable free YouTube banner templates. Use them to design a YouTube banner that perfectly aligns with your channel’s style and make it your own!

YouTube Banner Examples

The banner examples below each incorporate different design and brand techniques that you can easily replicate into a banner of your own creation.

Portfolio-Driven Design

Watercolour by Shibasaki takes an approach known as "portfolio-driven design. This approach, effectively showcases the artist's skills by featuring several side-by-side images of their work. By incorporating a variety of artworks directly into the banner, it immediately gives viewers a taste of what they can expect from the channel. Additionally, this method encourages viewers to explore more of your content.

Brand-Centric Design

Proko's approach to their YouTube banner is known as "brand-centric design." This technique prominently features a brand’s logo as the focal point of the banner. It works best when your brand is already well-known and your primary goal is to reinforce brand recognition. Additionally, in Proko's banner, you'll see they use minimalist design elements to make the logo stand out.

Offer-Driven Design

SEMrush provides an excellent example of an effective YouTube banner that showcases a special offer for their services. This approach, known as "offer-driven design," prominently features a clear and enticing call-to-action (CTA), such as "Sign Up for Our Free Trial!" What's more, the banner uses bright colours that contrast and POP along with bold text. This highlights what they offer with their YouTube channel: marketing tutorials and case studies.

Dynamic Design/Motion Design

Growingannanas is a perfect example of simple “dynamic design” in a YouTube banner design. "Dynamic design" or "motion design" creates a sense of movement within a static image. This approach involves using elements like simple lines, shapes, and strategically placed graphical cues to suggest motion and add energy to the composition, making it more engaging. Adding dynamic design elements to your YouTube banner is an easy way to make it more fun and create a sense of liveliness!

Identity-Focused Design

Here’s a perfect example of a YouTube banner that effectively communicates the creator's identity and expertise. This approach, known as "identity-focused design," clearly states the roles of the creator: "Animator + Story Artist + Director." The banner includes example images of their work, which acts as an immediate visual showcase that tells viewers what type of content to expect. By highlighting your skills and providing visual examples, you'll set clear expectations and attract viewers.

Value-Focused Design

Last but certainly not least is Kittl's very own YouTube banner! It's a perfect example of a banner that effectively communicates what viewers can expect from a channel. Our approach, known as "value-focused design," clearly communicates our value to viewers: "New tips, tricks, and tutorials every week."

To add more value, we’ve highlighted a compelling CTA: "Sign Up for Free." Our banner design ensures that visitors understand the high-quality content we offer and are encouraged to join our creative community. It also encourages viewers to explore more, including finding the best strategies for growing your YouTube audience, such as the optimal times to post videos.

YouTube Banner FAQ

Free YouTube Banner Templates

Create a free account today and access these free YouTube banner templates!

Additional YouTube Size Requirements for Your Channel

YouTube Video Thumbnail Size

The recommended YouTube thumbnail size is 1280 x 720 pixels and up to 2MB. For best results, upload a video thumbnail with a 16:9 aspect ratio. JPG, GIF, and PNG image files are supported. The minimum size dimensions for YouTube thumbnail images is 640 pixels wide.

YouTube let's you choose from automatically generated thumbnails or upload your own custom thumbnail. We HIGHLY recommend you create a custom one since video thumbnails are the very first impression viewers get of your video. So you want to ensure it's working to attract viewers as they're browsing YouTube. When you create a custom video thumbnail, it should be as large as possible because it’s used as the preview image for embedded YouTube links.

Video Size for YouTube

You can upload a range of YouTube video sizes to your channel, from 240p (426 x 240 pixels) to 2160p (3840 x 2160 pixels). But the maximum file size is 256GB or 12 hours (whichever is less). Additionally, your videos should ideally have an aspect ratio of 16:9.

YouTube Profile Picture Size

A YouTube profile picture or channel icon, is a circular image that acts as your channel logo on YouTube. The ideal YouTube profile picture size is 800 x 800 pixels (a 1:1 aspect ratio). JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP files are all supported. And take note that your profile picture shouldn’t exceed 2MB.

When you set up your YouTube channel, the default icon will be the image associated with your Google Account. But you can change the image in your Google Account settings.

Profile Picture Examples

The profile pictures of the YouTube channels listed below each highlight different styles and brand techniques. Use these examples as best practices to follow when building your own YouTube channel's profile.

Feature Your Work

When it comes to YouTube profile picture ideas, The Art of Aaron Blaise sets a stellar example by using well-known artwork as its profile image. This strategy ensures instant recognition and visual appeal, leveraging Aaron Blaise's distinctive and acclaimed artistic style. By featuring his iconic artwork, the channel not only captivates viewers with its beauty but also establishes a strong, memorable brand presence. This approach not only attracts art enthusiasts but also reinforces the channel's identity and expertise in the field of art and animation.

Use Your Brand's Initials

Architectural Digest's YouTube banner exemplifies effective branding by using their abbreviated name, "AD," as their logo. This clean and recognizable design is perfect for established brands aiming to maintain brand recognition. Alternatively, it's a great tactic for growing channels that want their abbreviated name to become familiar to followers. This approach is a smart strategy for any channel looking to solidify its identity and connect with viewers through a concise, memorable logo.

Use a Symbol of Your Brand

The YouTube banner for eyedesyn expertly uses a logo image that perfectly complements their brand name. This recognizable icon ensures that viewers who have encountered their brand before will instantly recognize it. Additionally, the banner features bright, fun colors that make it stand out amongst other channels that use neutral colors and/or photos. This is an approach that captures attention and reinforces the creative theme of the eyedesyn brand.

Feature the Face of Your Brand

Lastly, Alphonso Dunn’s YouTube banner leverages his face as the profile image. This choice ensures instant recognition for viewers who have seen him on social media, creating a connection across platforms. As an added bonus, Alphonso holds a pencil in the image, a perfect prop that immediately communicates his identity as an artist.

Create Designs for Your Channel for Free with Kittl

Kittl makes it easy for anyone to create beautiful designs through our customisable templates and intuitive editing tools. Create a free account and get access to all of our free YouTube templates. Take the info you learned about YouTube banner sizes and create a YouTube banner with a template today!