Your LinkedIn profile banner may be the first visual element that visitors notice whenever they land on your profile. It’s a sizable rectangular space that sits behind your profile photo, offering a chance 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, should your banner just isn't sized properly, it may appear pixelated, distorted, or take off, creating a negative impression. In this article, we’ll explain the ideal linkedin banner image size, the best way to design your header image, and still provide tips for optimizing it for the more professional LinkedIn presence.
What is a LinkedIn Profile Banner?
The LinkedIn profile banner (also referred to as the background photo) may be the large horizontal image located at the top of your profile, just behind your profile picture. Unlike your profile photo, which is often a small circular image signifying you, the banner provides ample space to visually improve your profile.
While your profile picture portrays your individual identity, the banner offers more freedom for creativity. This space is usually used to display a company logo, a professional image, an individual brand, or possibly a visual in connection with your field of expert knowledge.
Ideal LinkedIn Banner Size
To be sure that your banner looks crisp and professional on all devices, it’s essential 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 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 just too short, it could appear stretched or cropped.
Aspect Ratio (4:1): This aspect ratio helps to ensure 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 for your LinkedIn banner, here are a few design tips to help you create a standout background image:
1. Keep Important Elements Centered
While LinkedIn allows for some flexibility, the banner will likely be cropped differently on desktop and mobile phones. On mobile, the sides of the banner are often cut-off, so it’s important to keep important components—such as text, logos, or personal branding—centered within the middle of the image to ensure visibility across devices.
2. Use High-Quality Images
To avoid a pixelated or blurry banner, use high-resolution images. A sharp and crisp image will create a professional first impression and make sure that your banner looks clean across various screen sizes.
3. Make Your Banner Reflect Your Professional Identity
The banner is an opportunity to highlight your profession, career, or expertise. If you work in design, for instance, you might showcase some of your best work. If you’re in marketing, a banner using a compelling slogan or perhaps a call to action may be fitting. For those involved with corporate roles, a straightforward but elegant design along 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, think about the colors of one's profile photo when designing your banner. Ensure that the shades don’t clash and that your particular 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 any 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 in creative fields, your LinkedIn banner can be quite a way to advertise your services or brand. Consider incorporating your logo, slogan, or possibly a tagline. For individuals in corporate or even more traditional fields, a specialist photo related to your industry or expertise could possibly be a great option.
What to Avoid in a very LinkedIn Banner
To make the most of the LinkedIn banner, there are a couple of things you should avoid:
Low-Resolution Images: Avoid using blurry or pixelated images, as they possibly can give a bad impression. Always use high-quality, sharp images.
Overloading the Banner with Text: Too much text may make your banner look cluttered and distract from a profile picture. Keep text minimal and legible.
Important Information Near the Edges: Since parts from the banner gets cropped on cellular devices, avoid placing key components (like text or logos) too near to the edges. Stick to the center for maximum visibility.
Irrelevant or Inconsistent Visuals: Make sure the visuals within your banner are strongly related 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 make positive changes to LinkedIn profile banner:
Go for a LinkedIn profile page.
Hover over your existing banner (background photo), and then click the camera icon inside upper-right corner in the banner area.
Select the "Upload Photo" option.
Choose the picture 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 much more than just a decorative background—it's an effective tool to assist you showcase your professional brand, highlight your expertise, and develop a polished and impressive first impression for visitors. By following the recommended sized 1584 x 396 pixels and sticking to the best practices for design, you can make your banner a compelling part of the LinkedIn profile that shines to clients, employers, or colleagues.