We all know that first impressions matter. That's why your Facebook cover photo size is very important. This is your Facebook header – the banner that runs across the top of your profile, before you even get to your profile picture.

Understanding the various Facebook image sizes associated with your cover photo is something of a low-key superpower for any social media manager.

As we write this guide in 2024, the recommended Facebook cover photo size is 820 x 312 pixels for desktop computers. Sorted, right?

Unfortunately not. Remember, most people aren't looking at your cover photo on a desktop computer these days. It's important to get the size of those Facebook cover photos right for phones and other mobile devices, too. That way, it'll look good for anyone who's viewing it.

For mobile devices, Facebook displays cover photos at 640 x 360 pixels. The sides get cropped a bit on phones.

So, let's do the math. Basically, if you want to make sure your image looks great everywhere, use 820 x 360 pixels. This size fits both desktop and mobile views.

Oh, and there are some other things to bear in mind too. Use a PNG or JPG file format and keep the file to a reasonable size. That means it will load quickly.

Your circle profile picture will overlap part of the cover photo on the left side. So don't put anything important in that space.

Getting the balance right, so your cover photo on both mobile and desktop is optimized, isn't always easy – but it's possible.

The trick here is to target the “safe zone” in the center of your image and ensure all important information stays in that area. After all, it's this zone that will show up on all devices, so that's where the focus should be.

Of course, the Facebook cover photo size does change occasionally (just to keep us on our toes) so it’s a good idea to check the latest image size guidelines when you're creating a new Facebook cover photo.

This guide shows you how to nail perfect Facebook cover photos, whether you're an individual looking for work or a corporation creating a Facebook business page.

In this guide:

How to create the perfect Facebook cover photo

Aesthetics are everything these days. We're quick to judge online and are happy to scroll away to find something we like. It's why dating apps like Tinder are so popular: people like making instant decisions.

This even applies to the little things in life, like your Facebook cover photo. People can learn a lot from a cover photo. Blurry or badly cropped cover photos look unprofessional. Sharp, concise, and informative ones are far more appealing.

Let's look at how to create a perfect cover photo that'll make your Facebook Page stand out.

Steps to create Facebook cover photos

Start by choosing your perfect cover photo. Most businesses use either their logo on a colored background or a nice lifestyle image. A team picture can work well, too – especially if you're an agency or similar.

Depending on your choice, you'll either need to crop your chosen cover photo to the right size or make a custom design to fit the space.

Here's where it gets a bit tricky: Facebook cover photos for desktop should be 820 x 312 pixels, and on mobile, it’s 640 x 360 pixels. In case you haven't noticed, these are two different sizes.

Since you can only upload the same cover photo, it's generally suggested that you go with 820 x 360 pixels to cover all bases. The image will then be automatically cropped to the right size depending on the device.

This means your photo will look sharp whether someone is scrolling on the Facebook app or viewing it on their office desktop.

Remember to save it in the right file type – JPEGs work well for photos, while PNGs are better for images with text or logos. If you take a photo on your iPhone, be sure to change the format away from HEIC.

Don’t forget to test your cover photo on different devices before publishing to avoid any embarrassing mishaps with sizing.

Best practices for a successful Facebook cover photo

Your cover photo is the first thing people see on your Facebook page, and it's right there at the top. It's like your shop window.

And, like a shop window, you need to ensure it looks great at all times. Go for high-quality images with a reduced file size – this way they'll look good and load fast.

Keep it simple, too. A clean, uncluttered look that represents your brand is probably best. If you get stuck, there are professionally designed templates on platforms like Canva that you can customize to match your brand identity.

Of course, it's important you select an image that speaks to the people you want to reach. Influencers particularly need to do this when thinking what shot of themselves best represents what they do.

Thinking about your target audience can help guide your decision on anything from color choice to fonts and imagery.

Whatever design you choose, make sure it suits your brand. Your cover photo should match your colors, style, and overall vibe.

Creative ideas for your Facebook cover photo

Feeling stuck for creative ideas to keep your Facebook page looking fresh? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

The first thing to remember is that your page's cover photo is bigger than your profile picture, but it's still small on mobile. You have space for two, maybe three bits of detail, but be sure not to overcrowd the space.

If you're a freelancer or influencer, then your product is important. You're likely to have your face on your Facebook profile picture, so your cover photo can show audiences more about what you do.

You could display your products. This might be flowers if you're a florist, a sketch if you're an illustrator, or a headset graphic if you're in public relations. If you go down this route, remember that audiences need to see your photo and immediately understand what you do.

Or you can stick with your logo. Bigger corporations that already have high brand recognition will go down this route. For example, the Nike tick always sits in the profile picture, leaving the cover photo for its slogan "Just Do It".

Common mistakes to avoid when designing a Facebook cover photo

There are a few errors people make when creating a Facebook cover photo. Here are seven to be aware of:

1. Using the wrong size image

This is an easy mistake to make because the image sizes are a bit confusing.

Ideally, your image should fit both the recommended dimensions of 820 x 312 pixels for desktop and 640 x 360 pixels for mobile.

Rather than uploading two images, you can upload a single image of 820 x 360 pixels, and it'll automatically crop depending on the platform.

You'll need to double-check the crop on all devices because you run the risk of losing an important part of the image depending on what's chopped off. Remember to crop or design with that "safe zone" in mind in the center of the image.

2. Cluttering the space

Keep your design clean and simple. Too much text or too many elements can make your cover photo look messy and hard to read.

3. Ignoring mobile users

Remember that most people will view your Facebook page on their phones. This is a problem when most of us will use a computer to design or stylize our cover images. So, make sure you test how your cover photo looks on both desktop and mobile screens.

4. Placing important information in the wrong spots

Be aware of where your profile picture overlaps the cover photo. The overlap is bigger on mobile than on desktop. Avoid putting crucial text or images in that area.

5. Not considering your profile picture

Your cover photo and profile pictures should work together to create a cohesive look. Just look at Nike's example above. Make sure they complement each other in style and color scheme. It's how we do it at Brandwatch.

6. Using low-quality images

Blurry or pixelated photos just look lazy. They suggest you don't have an eye for detail. If you can't even get your shop window right, how can anyone trust your products or services? Stick to high-resolution images for a polished and professional appearance.

7. Forgetting to update regularly

This is a big one, especially when brands change their Facebook presence to reflect a trend. Keep your cover photo fresh by changing it for seasons, events, or promotions. Christmas is an obvious one. Forget to change it back, and your profile will look unprofessional and outdated by mid-January.

How to test and optimize your Facebook cover photo for mobile and desktop

Want to make sure your cover photo looks great on all devices? Here’s our quick step-by-step guide for testing and optimizing it:

1. Create your cover photo

  • Use dimensions of 820 x 360 pixels to cover all devices
  • Keep the file size to a reasonable size for faster loading

2. Upload and preview

  • Go to your Facebook page and upload the image
  • Check how it appears on desktop and mobile views

3. Test on different devices

  • View your page on a computer, phone, and tablet
  • Make sure key elements are visible on all screens

4. Adjust if needed

  • Crop or resize the image to fit both layouts
  • Move text or logos away from edges that may get cut off

5. Use Facebook’s preview tool

  • Facebook offers a built-in mobile preview feature
  • Use this to see how your cover photo will look on phones
  • Facebook images should be optimized for both mobile and desktop views to ensure they look great on all devices

Remember, loads of Facebook users access the site on mobile devices. As we write this guide, that figure is 98.5%. So it's really important that your cover photo looks great on a phone.

Frequently asked questions

Choosing Facebook cover photos may sound like a pretty simple job, but things get more complicated once you scratch the surface.

Let's address some common questions about sizing and display to help you create the perfect cover image.

What are the correct image dimensions for a Facebook cover photo that will display on both web and mobile?

For the best look on both desktop and mobile, use 820 x 360 pixels for your Facebook cover photo. This size works well across devices. On desktop, it will display as 820 x 312 pixels. On mobile, it shows up as 640 x 360 pixels.

How can I resize a photo to fit as a Facebook cover without losing quality?

To keep your photo looking sharp, always start with a high-resolution image. Use photo editing software to crop it to the right size. Keep important elements in the center, as edges may be cropped on mobile. Save your file as a PNG for best quality.

When creating in Photoshop, set your canvas to 820 x 360 pixels at 72 DPI. This matches Facebook's ideal dimensions. Make sure to use RGB color mode for web display. Save your final design as a PNG file for the best quality on Facebook.

Are there any differences in Facebook cover photo dimensions between personal and business pages?

Nope. Facebook cover photos are the same for personal and business pages. Both use 820 x 360 pixels. The main difference is how you might use the space. Business pages often include logos or marketing messages, while cover photos for personal pages are often just holiday or family snaps.

Can you tell me the aspect ratio for a Facebook cover photo to ensure it fits perfectly?

The aspect ratio for a Facebook cover photo is 2.7:1. This ratio works for both desktop and mobile views.

It helps your image look good regardless of how it's cropped or resized across different devices.

How does the size of a Facebook profile picture compare to the cover photo dimensions?

Your profile pictures are much smaller than your cover photo. As a thumbnail, they display at 170 x 170 pixels on desktop and 128 x 128 pixels on mobile (though the image you upload should be bigger, as you can click on it for a larger view).

Remember, they overlap the bottom left of your cover photo, so plan your design accordingly.