Got the right Facebook Page Cover Photo size?
Want it to look good on both desktop AND mobile?
Smart! Optimizing your Facebook content for mobile is non-negotiable, since most FB users will only see it there.
But you can have it both ways: Here’s a Facebook Page Cover Photo mobile template that shows the 3 different croppings for phones, tablets, and computers.
Updated for 2024!
Facebook Page Cover Photo Size
The optimal Facebook business page cover photo size is 1200 x 674 pixels.
The aspect ratio is 16:9. This size will show in full on mobile.
I’ve tested this size and created a free cover photo template, so you can design around the profile picture overlays and cropping on desktop.
Because Facebook’s size recommendations are far from helpful!
Your Page’s cover photo:
Left aligns with a full bleed and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Must be at least 400 pixels wide and 150 pixels tall.
Loads fastest as an sRGB JPG file that’s 851 pixels wide, 315 pixels tall and less than 100 kilobytes. source
This doesn’t take into account the different proportions on various devices.
And the sizes they’ve named aren’t even 16:9 aspect ratio!
Nor as wide as displayed on virtually any device used in 2024.
This article will explain how to create Facebook Business Page cover photos that are sized properly for mobile devices as well as desktop.
Facebook Page Cover Photo Template 2024
Your FB Page Cover Photo will no longer have elements rudely chopped off or covered up with this template.
Start with a 16:9 image in any size.
I recommend 1200 x 674 pixels for optimal quality. But you can start with any photo on your phone that’s at least 400 pixels wide.
Open in any graphics app, or your phone’s photo app. Crop it to 16:9 aspect ratio.
Now check the template, and pay attention to the profile picture overlap on phones and tablets. Don’t place important details where they’ll be covered.
Just right click the image below to download, and choose “Save Image As…”
Instructions for using my social media templates
Want to add type?
If you use Photoshop, or another graphics editing program that has layers, you’ll be able to design with ease.
1. Open the template in your graphic design tool.
2. Change Image > Mode to RGB (the template is an indexed color PNG).
3. Add guidelines to match template, or reduce opacity and use template as a translucent layer for guidance.
4. Add your photo and any design elements you desire.
5. Delete or hide template layer from your image file when your design is done.
If your design program doesn’t have layers, just use the templates for size and visual reference.
There are more social media templates listed on my Resources Page.
What’s New About Facebook Page Cover Photos?
All FB Pages now have the “New Facebook Page Experience.”
The mobile version is still a delightfully simple 16×9 proportion.
So why do you need a template?
The profile picture is now covering a huge portion of the cover photo!
The iPad also has a huge DP overlay but in a different spot.
And the tablet cover photo is cropped on the sides, whereas the desktop version crops top and bottom!
Facebook Page cover photo on desktop
The cropping on the desktop version is especially severe in the New Pages Experience.
Here’s how the mobile to desktop crop plays out now. The purple dotted line shows the 16×9 cover photo on mobile while the green dotted line shows how it crops on desktop:
The biggest visual differences on desktop are:
1 | The positioning of the profile picture below the banner image. There’s only a tiny bit of overlap, so this won’t mess up your banner design (unlike on mobile).
2 | The gradient bar at the sides. If you’re struggling with how it looks, read on.
New Facebook Page Cover Photo Gradient
A fairly new addition to Facebook cover photos is a gradient (or ombré) color bar to the left and right of the cover photo on desktop.
The gradient can add a nice splash of color when you have a solid background that reflects your brand colors.
Or it can look weird if your cover photo is actually – a photo! Or has different color blocks on either side.
Here’s how it works: Facebook is pulling a color from the top outer edges of your header image. And if the image is different on either side, then so is the gradient.
You can see a couple examples below to help inform your cover photo creation:
If you don’t like the mismatched gradient sides, you need to use an image with the same color on both left and right upper corners.
How to Upload your Facebook Page Cover Photo
When you upload your Cover Photo on desktop, you can adjust the top cropping so it’s positioned top-to-bottom exactly as you like it.
If you upload on mobile, it will crop to center automatically in desktop view. However, I don’t recommend this, as the compression is terrible!
Stick to uploading a PNG file via your desktop computer and it will look 10 times better.
Optimize your Facebook Cover Photos!
Don’t forget to visit these other articles for more FREE cover photo templates:
Facebook Profile Cover Photo size
Facebook Group Cover Photo size
Facebook Event Cover Photo size
For all Facebook dimensions, including ads, check out:
ALL Facebook image dimensions with infographics
For all the social media platforms in one place, with links to in-depth articles on many of the topics:
Ready to make your Facebook Page cover photo the easy way?
Try Snappa online design tool for free!
Their templates give you the perfect size, with safe zones to ensure your beautiful design looks great on both desktop and phone.
• • • Create a Facebook cover photo for free NOW! • • •
Disclosure: IF you upgrade to a paid plan, I may receive a referral fee.
What do you think? Now your Facebook Cover Photo size can rock on mobile just like on desktop! Share with a friend.
jack says
820 x 360 seems away out when added to Facebook. Facebook seems to want me to drag the image inside a smaller window. Looks very poor on desktop and also distorts on mobile.
Louise Myers says
Even though Facebook recommends that size, I do not.
Kristi Kirk Trent says
You rock, Louise! Thank you! 🙂
P.S. I got an eMail from Google todaytthat read “Your personal Google+ account is going away…On April 2nd, your Google+ account and any Google+ pages you created will be shut down and we will begin deleting content from consumer Google+ accounts. Photos and videos from Google+ in your Album Archive and your Google+ pages will also be deleted. ”
What the what?!?
Louise Myers says
Yep, Google announced early last year that they would shut down G+ this year.
Anne N says
This is amazing! Now need something similar for YouTube. I tried the template in the free members area but then when I went to upload it in my channel I got a message saying it was too small, must be 2048 x 1152. 🙁
Louise Myers says
It was too small, or too big? The template is larger than that – 2560 × 1440. Same proportions as 2048 x 1152! Still finding 2560 × 1440 to be the recommended optimal size. What size was your upload?
“For the best results on all devices, we recommend uploading one 2560 x 1440 px image.” Direct from YouTube.
Lorna says
Thank you thank you thank you! Have been looking for something like this for a while!
Vincent says
Thanks Louise! Brilliant and easy instructions to follow.
Dee Unsworth says
Hi Louise, I followed the instructions you gave but I think I am still doing something wrong. I am not very computer savvy…….
I uploaded the image using a PC and it looks fine on the desktop, but on the tablet it’s cut off-
My question is – do I have to upload the image using a mobile device if I want it to fit on a mobile device?
I am using Canva which is pretty easy but also have Photoshop which I am still learning
Louise Myers says
No, I recommend uploading on desktop as mobile compresses the image even more.
As long as you’re using the overall size I recommended, it doesn’t matter what program you use. Sounds like you’re using the desktop size. I suggest you reread the article on why that won’t work for mobile.
Laura says
How do you use the template? For FB cover photo …. Need something that works for both desk top and mobile.
Thanks
Louise Myers says
Directions are in the post. Look for the header “Instructions for using my social media templates.”
Tovey says
Hi There,
I know I am not dumb, but I cannot get my cover photo to properly show even when following the template.
It shows fine on my desktop, I cannot get it to appear properly on my mobile.
Here is my FB page: @abovealladmin
Can someone please assist.
Kind Regards,
Tovey
Louise Myers says
Can you explain what you mean by “properly”? I see the full image on mobile and cropped on desktop.
Ulrika Shaw says
Thank you so much. This was exactly what I needed and it worked perfectly!
Robin says
Thank you so much, finally right size
jim says
Thanks! This aspect ratio is just what I was looking for..
Christina says
Thank you SO MUCH!
WENDIE says
1200 x 675 perfectly fits desktop and Android, but not to iPhone. Kindly advise
Louise Myers says
There isn’t one size that looks the same across all devices.
Vanessa Byers says
Thank you.
boon says
THANKS, finally, I have been editing that facebook cover from 851 x 315 to 820 x 312, and the mobile version is still CROPPED. GODDAMIT. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
jose says
the big one worked perfectly, thanks a bunch
Craig says
Hi,
I have no issues with the image height but on desktop the image is great but viewing on mobile is very different with text being cut off on both sides. Is there a limit on how wide the image should be (it seems as if the image is not being re-sized once in mobile format).
Thanks
Craig
Louise Myers says
It’s all about the proportions, or aspect ratio. If you use a shape that works for desktop, then the sides will be cut off on mobile. I recommend using a shape that works best on mobile and allowing the crop top and bottom on desktop. Have you tried the template?
Craig says
Hi Louise,
Thanks for the reply, I haven’t tried the template yet but will give it a go today.
Cheers
Craig
Suzi says
Thanks this saved me a ton of hassle!
Neri says
The business page works perfectly with the above 1200 x 675 template however the personal page just would not show clear writing like the business page.. exact same image. So I re-saved it as 851×479 and the writing suddenly became crystal clear.. I have no idea why but FB must do something to the personal one that it doesn’t on the business page banner???
Louise Myers says
I’ve heard that if your file size is under 100kb FB won’t compress it. Maybe your smaller image got by without compression 🙂
Mariëtte says
Hi Louise.
MANY thanks for all the tips and tricks – they are invaluable!
I strictly follow your guidelines for the cover photo, etc. but have used a jpeg instead. I uploaded on desktop and, although it looked perfect prior to uploading, I’m unhappy with the end result on Facebook. Would uploading a png instead solve the problem? Not sure what happens compression-wise when uploading to Facebook, but something certainly happens! Way too much “noise” in the image for my liking. (Maybe I should add that it’s an illustration with text, and not a photograph. I mostly upload illustrations.)
Thanks again and all the best for 2018!
🙂
Louise Myers says
Hi Mariëtte,
You’d have to try a PNG file and see what happens. PNG-24 has the highest resolution, however in the past I’ve tried this and cover photos still get compressed by Facebook. Used to work great for image posts though.
If it’s only flat colors you could try a PNG-8 file which will be a small file size.
I can’t say for certain what FB is doing with different types on images, different file types, and maybe even in different countries! I’d love to hear what happens if you test it. Take screen shots to compare 🙂
Mariëtte says
Hi Louise.
Thank you. Seems like we’re on the same page. My biggest reason for using jpegs is file size, yes. And I reckon that FB wouldn’t be too keen to help us upload high res images – or rather, hand out the how to’s. I’m in South Africa, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a difference in the compression.
Once I get to a solution, I’ll let you know. 🙂
Louise Myers says
Fantastic! It’s frustrating trying to help my readers when I suspect they may be seeing Facebook differently than I do. 2 billion users, who knows how many ways FB serves up content lol
Heather says
Hello,
Any one have any suggestions on a particular photo editor that I can install on my desktop to do this?
Thanks
Louise Myers says
GIMP is a free photo editor that works like Photoshop, so it would be able to do this. Steep learning curve though.
Fredrik says
Thanks! Helped me a lot!
Lisa Schwaberow says
Thank you for your directions. I have been doing this for a while but never had a client banner that had to fit mobile before. Your instructions worked perfectly! The banner now looks good on mobile with all pertinent images within the viewing area. I can’t wait to explore the rest of your site.
Louise Myers says
Great!
krinal mehta says
the size you have described are perfect. Now I am able to set my Favourite picture in cover picture. Thank you so much for this post. Great work keep it up..!!!!
Jonathan says
Thanks very much Louise. This is VERY helpful information, and especially great that it’s so current. FB seem to be changing things around regularly.
Keep up the great work. Cheers from New Zealand.
Jonathan
Alex says
Hi,
Shouldn’t it be 820x 462 for mobiles?
312 + 75 + 75= 462
Louise Myers says
You can do that if you like. Basically I’m following a 16:9 proportion. It might not be *exactly* 75 off the top and bottom, but close enough.
Cipriano says
Thanks for this tutorial. I have just one question. In the page where I’ve uploaded the cover with your dimensions but the image on the page look a little blur (in mobile naviagiont)…but when i click on it I can see properly. Why this? How can I fix it?
This happen also with the dimensions given by Facebook.
I use a retina display on smartphone.
Thanks in advantage.
Louise Myers says
Probably a separate preview image that FB creates to load faster. Doubt there’s anything you can do about it.
Muriel says
thank you!
the key was to NOT use the standards dimensions given by FB… haha of course…
Well thank you! now my cover pic does not get cut on the mobile version
Louise Myers says
Right! Of course 😀
Valerie Schaal says
The dimensions for the Facebook group cover photo don’t work at all now. Does anyone know what are the new group cover photo dimensions for desktop?
Louise Myers says
Hi, updated info and my new template here.
Tim says
Thanks for the template and suggestion to go bigger so it suits mobile and desktop.
Just wondering what your experience is with FB video? Sizing? Format?
Also, I uploaded my image and then the next day FB had decided to delete it and has again. Any ideas why that would be?
Louise Myers says
I don’t use video, but the 16:9 proportion should fit perfectly on mobile.
Susan Joy Schleef says
Your template and proportions match what I’ve been using for the template I created to use in PowerPoint for designing my covers. I was not aware of the whole series of changes that had been made so I really enjoyed reading about that.
I noticed one comment mentioned cover dimensions for Facebook groups and I thought I would share what I’ve been using for my GB groups and it seems to work well with dimensions of 784 x 250.
Louise Myers says
Thanks Susan! Is that size still working OK? It seems the size changed very recently, maybe even today. Right now I see approximately 2.5 times as wide as tall. 1025 x 415 on desktop.
Sharese says
I cannot thank you enough I tried canva and just about everything nothing worked
Louise Myers says
I hear ya! No one wants to get on board with this. And once you know, it’s easy!
Leslie says
How do I remove the writing and purple background now that it fits. It does fit beautifully but I don’t know how to remove the original writing on the template. I copied and pasted my logo into the template if that helps to bring light on my situation.
Louise Myers says
Hi, I just added the instructions from the free member area to the blog post. In short, you need a photo or other background to make a cover photo. The template is for guidance, not an image to use in your design.
Jennifer Castle says
Been having the problem of text being cut off on my cover images when viewing on a mobile device. This worked great to fix that problem!
Louise Myers says
Great!
Mel says
Really useful, thanks so much!
Thomas says
Merci beaucoup, votre article a été d’une très grande aide.
Thanks a lot for the high quality of this article. It helped me a lot ^:)
A French Webmaster 🙂
M Hopkins says
Thanks for this info. Its not really a big deal if just using an image, the problem we’re having is when we use text on the image. Upload one size and it looks good on desktop but text is cropped on mobile, upload another size and its visa versa.
So I guess the answer if you are using text on your cover photo is to go for 820 x 461 and keep your text within 75 pixels from top and 75 pixels from bottom.
The full image should then show on mobile and the cropped image will show on desktop with all your text showing.
Louise Myers says
Yes, that is correct. Or go larger as I recommend. I have templates for both 820 width and 1200 width. No guessing required 🙂
Martina says
This doesn’t work fir me even after going larger. I think he has a point for those of us that use text in our cover photo
Louise Myers says
I don’t understand what point that is. He’s only said what I wrote in the article and applied in the template. You must keep your text away from the top and bottom.
What seems to be the problem?
A says
Thank you so very much, worked like a charm.
D Pankhurst says
Thanks! I was struggling to make my artwork fit on all views without cropping anything and your up to date template helped immensely – thanks again!
Aeriadne says
Hi, Louise – It seems like now the Facebook covers are being cropped from the top, rather than right in the middle, on desktop.
Louise Myers says
Click on “Change Photo” and then “Reposition” to adjust the cropping.
Jasmine says
Thanks Louise! This works brilliantly!
x Jasmine
Nikki says
Thank you for this info! I ended up sizing mine 3280 x 1844, saved as JPG, and it looks pretty good on both desktop and iphone/Android phones. -Nikki
Dawn Tonner says
I keep trying to create a cover photo for a group page, and nothing I have found is working out. Is the size different?
Louise Myers says
Yes. FB cover photos for business pages (this article), groups and events are all different. And they change frequently, so I can’t verify current size for group or event.
Louise Myers says
Hi Dawn, updated info and my new FB group cover template here.
Rodrigo Costa Amora says
Thank you so much 🙂
Deb Cassie says
640 x360 fits but is very grainy. Please help
Deb
Louise Myers says
I don’t recommend that size. Read the article for my recommendation.
Deb Cassie says
Please help. I have tried using the 820 px 312px but it is still too big when I view on mobile device. what am I doing wrong?
Much thanks
Louise Myers says
Deb, if you read the article and look at the template, you’ll see that that size won’t work for mobile. Follow the instructions and it will work.
Oleksa says
Nice job!
Deborah Lowery says
Thank you Louise! Just helped me to get my fb business cover to function responsively. Previous dimensions used in Canva had it looking wonky on mobile. I know, I know, that’s what I get for using software instead of a human being graphic designer:)
Louise Myers says
I wish one of those programs would get “with it” on this issue 🙂
tommy elliott says
Hi Louise I’m clueless at this sort of stuff and need an image made for my page can you drop me an email for anyone that might be able to create this for me
Louise Myers says
It’s a toughie, and my best resource has retired from this business. I hope to find another source soon.
Aryn says
thank you so much for this! it worked perfectly.
Harjit says
Worked brilliantly!! Thank you so much! 🙂