Your LinkedIn profile banner could be the first visual element that visitors notice when they land on your own profile. It’s a large 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, allowing you to appear more professional and polished.
However, if your banner is just not sized properly, it may appear pixelated, distorted, or take off, building a negative impression. In this article, we’ll explain the optimal linkedin banner size, how you can design your header image, and provide tips for optimizing it to get a more professional LinkedIn presence.
What is really a LinkedIn Profile Banner?
The LinkedIn profile banner (also known as the background photo) may be the large horizontal image located towards the top of your profile, just behind your profile picture. Unlike your profile photo, which is really 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 typically used to display a business logo, an expert image, your own brand, or a visual related to your field of 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 ensures that your banner image is large enough to display well on desktop and mobile devices without becoming pixelated or blurry. A wider image provides for better resolution, especially on high-definition screens.
Height (396 pixels): The 396-pixel height is optimal for displaying the banner without distortion, while also fitting neatly into LinkedIn’s profile layout. If the image is simply too short, it may appear stretched or cropped.
Aspect Ratio (4:1): This aspect ratio ensures 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 a few design tips to help you create a standout background image:
1. Keep Important Elements Centered
While LinkedIn permits some flexibility, the banner will likely be cropped differently on desktop and cellular devices. On mobile, the edges of the banner are often stop, so it’s essential to keep key elements—such as text, logos, or personal branding—centered inside middle of the style 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 a way to highlight your profession, career, or expertise. If you be employed in design, for instance, you could possibly showcase a few of your best work. If you’re in marketing, a banner using a compelling slogan or perhaps a call to action could possibly be fitting. For those involved with corporate roles, a simple but elegant design together with your company logo could be ideal.
4. Choose Colors That Complement Your Profile Picture
Since your profile picture will be over the banner, take into account the colors of your profile photo when making your banner. Ensure that the shades don’t clash and that your particular photo is clearly visible. Choose colors that align with your own 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 a minimalist design with just a couple of key elements that communicate your professional identity without distraction.
6. Align with Your Brand or Industry
For businesses, freelancers, or those in creative fields, your LinkedIn banner can be a way to promote your services or brand. Consider incorporating your logo, slogan, or even a tagline. For individuals in corporate or more traditional fields, a professional photo in connection with your industry or expertise may be a wise decision.
What to Avoid in a very LinkedIn Banner
To make the most of your LinkedIn banner, there are several 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 could make your banner look cluttered and distract from a profile picture. Keep text minimal and legible.
Important Information Near the Edges: Since parts with the banner gets cropped on mobile devices, avoid placing important components (like text or logos) too towards the edges. Stick to the center for maximum visibility.
Irrelevant or Inconsistent Visuals: Make sure the visuals with 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 improve your LinkedIn profile banner:
Go for a LinkedIn profile page.
Hover over your current banner (background photo), and then click the camera icon inside upper-right corner of the banner area.
Select the "Upload Photo" option.
Choose the style you want to upload from a computer (ensure it’s the recommended size).
Adjust the image if necessary by moving or resizing it.
Click "Apply" to save lots of the changes.
Your LinkedIn profile banner is much more than just an attractive background—it's a powerful tool that may help 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 staying with 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.