LinkedIn Profile Banner Size: How to Design the Perfect Header Image

Your LinkedIn profile banner is the first visual element that visitors notice after 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 improve 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 ideal what size is linkedin banner, how to design your header image, and supply tips for optimizing it for a more professional LinkedIn presence.

What can be 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 really a small circular image signifying you, the banner provides ample space to visually increase your profile.

While your profile picture portrays your own identity, the banner offers more freedom for creativity. This space is usually used to display a business logo, a professional image, an individual brand, or even 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 crucial 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 means that your banner image is large enough to display well on desktop and mobile devices without becoming pixelated or blurry. A wider image permits 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 way too short, it may 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 optimal size for your LinkedIn banner, here are several design good ideas , 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 mobile phones. On mobile, the sides of the banner are often cut-off, so it’s important to keep key elements—such as text, logos, or personal branding—centered inside middle of the picture 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 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 a way to highlight your profession, career, or expertise. If you operate in design, for instance, you might showcase some of your best work. If you’re in marketing, a banner with a compelling slogan or even a call to action could be fitting. For those in corporate roles, a simple but elegant design together with your company logo may 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 the profile photo when coming up with your banner. Ensure that the colours don’t clash and your photo is clearly visible. Choose colors that align with your 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 several key elements that communicate your professional identity without distraction.

6. Align with Your Brand or Industry
For companies, freelancers, or those who work in creative fields, your LinkedIn banner is usually a way to promote your services or brand. Consider incorporating your logo, slogan, or a tagline. For individuals in corporate or even more traditional fields, an experienced photo in connection with your industry or expertise may be a great choice.

What to Avoid inside a LinkedIn Banner
To make the most of one's LinkedIn banner, there are a couple 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 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 could get cropped on mobile devices, avoid placing key components (like text or logos) too towards the edges. Stick to the center for max 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 your LinkedIn profile page.

Hover over your existing banner (background photo), and then click the camera icon within the upper-right corner from the banner area.

Select the "Upload Photo" option.

Choose the look you want to upload out of your computer (ensure it’s the recommended size).

Adjust the style if necessary by moving or resizing it.

Click "Apply" in order to save the changes.

Your LinkedIn profile banner is a bit more than just an ornamental background—it's a robust 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 height and width of 1584 x 396 pixels and sticking to the best practices for design, you can make your banner a compelling part of your respective LinkedIn profile that stands apart to prospects, employers, or colleagues.