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Your LinkedIn profile banner is the first visual element that visitors notice once they land in your profile. It’s a substantial rectangular space that sits behind your profile photo, offering a way to showcase your professional brand, personality, or specific career achievements. A well-designed LinkedIn banner can increase your profile’s overall presentation, causing you to be appear more professional and polished.

However, in case your banner is not sized properly, it might appear pixelated, distorted, or stop, setting up a negative impression. In this article, we’ll explain the ideal linkedin banner size, the way to design your header image, and still provide tips for optimizing it for the more professional LinkedIn presence.

What can be a LinkedIn Profile Banner?

The LinkedIn profile banner (also referred to as the background photo) will 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 increase your profile.

While your profile picture portrays your personal identity, the banner offers more freedom for creativity. This space is commonly used to display a company logo, an experienced image, a private brand, or possibly a visual related to your field of expert knowledge.

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 makes sure that your banner image is large enough to display well on desktop and cellular devices without becoming pixelated or blurry. A wider image enables 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 might 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 on your LinkedIn banner, here are some design tips to help you create a standout background image:

1. Keep Important Elements Centered

While LinkedIn enables some flexibility, the banner will likely be cropped differently on desktop and mobile devices. On mobile, the sides of the banner are often cut-off, so it’s important to keep important elements—such as text, logos, or personal branding—centered inside middle of the image 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 experienced 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 operate in design, for instance, you may showcase some of your best work. If you’re in marketing, a banner with a compelling slogan or a call to action could be fitting. For those who work in corporate roles, a simple but elegant design together with your company logo might be ideal.

4. Choose Colors That Complement Your Profile Picture

Since your profile picture can look over the banner, take into account the colors of your respective profile photo when making your banner. Ensure that the colors don’t clash and that your particular photo is clearly visible. Choose colors that align with your individual 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 several key elements that communicate your professional identity without distraction.

6. Align with Your Brand or Industry

For businesses, freelancers, or those involved with creative fields, your LinkedIn banner can be quite a way to advertise your services or brand. Consider incorporating your logo, slogan, or perhaps 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 choice.

What to Avoid inside a 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 may make your banner look cluttered and distract from the profile picture. Keep text minimal and legible.

Important Information Near the Edges: Since parts of the banner can get cropped on mobile devices, avoid placing important elements (like text or logos) too near the edges. Stick to the center for max visibility.

Irrelevant or Inconsistent Visuals: Make sure the visuals inside your banner are relevant to your professional identity. Avoid images or graphics that don’t align together 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 overall banner (background photo), and click the camera icon in the upper-right corner from the banner area.

Select the “Upload Photo” option.

Choose the image you want to upload from a computer (ensure it’s the recommended size).

Adjust the look 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 to assist you showcase your professional brand, highlight your expertise, and create a polished and impressive first impression for visitors. By following the recommended sized 1584 x 396 pixels and sticking with the best practices for design, you will make your banner a compelling part of the LinkedIn profile that stands out to prospective clients, employers, or colleagues.