When it comes to designing an effective LinkedIn cover photo, one of the most important considerations is ensuring your image fits the dimensions properly. LinkedIn cover photos have a very specific size requirement – 1584 x 396 pixels. Failing to meet these exact dimensions will result in awkward cropping and a less than ideal cover photo experience. Luckily, fitting a picture perfectly to these LinkedIn cover dimensions is simple if you follow a few key steps.
Understanding LinkedIn Cover Photo Dimensions
As mentioned above, LinkedIn cover photos must be 1584 pixels wide by 396 pixels tall. This allows the image to stretch neatly across the top of a LinkedIn profile page without being distorted. These proportions are similar to an 8.5″ x 11″ document in landscape layout. When selecting a photo to use for your cover image, it’s important to choose one with a similar wide landscape orientation.
Here are the key dimensions again:
- Width: 1584 pixels
- Height: 396 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 4:1
Keeping these measurements in mind from the start will ensure your image can fit perfectly into the LinkedIn cover template without the need for extensive cropping or editing later.
Tips for Sizing your Photo Correctly
When selecting a photo to use for your LinkedIn cover, aim for one that already matches the 1584 x 396 pixel size. This saves you the trouble of having to crop and resize later. Here are some tips for finding an accurately sized image:
- Use a recent smartphone photo. Most modern phone cameras take photos around 12MP, which works out to be over 4000 pixels on the long edge. This is more than enough to fit LinkedIn’s requirements.
- Search for images with the term “LinkedIn cover” or dimensions “1584 x 396”. Many stock sites offer pre-sized images.
- Take a photo with the LinkedIn cover template in mind. Compose the image in landscape orientation knowing you’ll need to crop to 1584 x 396 pixels after.
In most cases, you’ll want an original photo that’s larger than 1584 x 396 pixels. That way you can crop and adjust to get the composition just right. But starting with an image already close to the ideal dimensions will make fitting your photo much simpler.
Cropping and Resizing Tools
If your selected image isn’t exactly 1584 x 396 pixels, you’ll need to crop and resize it to fit the LinkedIn cover specifications. Here are some easy tools to help you do that:
Resize in Paint
On Windows, the classic Paint application has basic image resizing capabilities:
- Open your image file in Paint
- Go to “Resize” under the Home tab
- Set the width to 1584 pixels and height to 396 pixels
- Click OK to resize the image
Crop and Resize in Preview (Mac)
On Mac, you can use the Preview app to crop and define custom dimensions:
- Open the image in Preview
- Select the cropping tool
- Drag to crop the image how you want
- Go to Tools > Adjust Size
- Set the dimensions to 1584 x 396 pixels
- Click OK to apply sizing
Online Image Resizing Tools
Another option is to use free online tools like:
- Iloveimg.com – drag to crop and resize
- PicResize – resize and download
- Photoresizer – crop, resize and more
These provide user-friendly interfaces and custom sizing options to fit your LinkedIn cover perfectly.
Upload and Preview on LinkedIn
Once your photo is correctly sized, the last step is uploading it to LinkedIn to see how it looks:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile
- Click “Edit Profile & Settings”
- Select “Edit background photo”
- Upload and select your 1584 x 396 image
- Drag and adjust the photo to get the right crop
- Click “Save photo”
This will let you preview how the image tiles across your profile. Make any final tweaks to the cropping at this point. Double check that the key parts of your photo align properly and text isn’t obscured.
Photo Design Tips
Beyond getting the size right, a few best practices can ensure your LinkedIn cover photo looks professional and appealing:
- Use high resolution images – Lower resolution photos will look blurry or pixelated.
- Make sure the subject stands out – Use contrast, color, and focus to make sure the viewer’s eye goes where you want.
- Choose relevant photos – Showcase your industry, interests, skills, or personality.
- Optimize for readability – Avoid busy backgrounds and make sure text is easy to read.
Take the time to experiment with different images and crops. Your cover photo makes a vital first impression on your LinkedIn profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the standard dimensions for a LinkedIn cover photo?
LinkedIn cover photos must be 1584 pixels wide by 396 pixels tall. Always check for updated requirements, but these dimensions work for most standard desktop and mobile displays.
What size should I make my photo to avoid cropping issues?
For best results, start with a high resolution photo that’s larger than 1584 x 396 pixels. Something around 3000 x 2000 pixels gives you plenty of room to crop and adjust as needed.
What’s the best file format to use?
JPG or PNG are the recommended file formats for LinkedIn cover images. These compress well without losing image quality. Avoid GIFs or BMP images, which have larger file sizes.
Can I edit and filters on my photo?
Yes, you can and should edit your cover photo to enhance the look. Basic edits like cropping, filters, and adjustments can make a dramatic improvement. Just don’t overdo it – your photo should still look natural.
Do I have to use a landscape photo?
Your photo should use a wide landscape orientation to fill the cover space properly without distortion. But you can get creative with shapes and layouts, as long as the final dimensions are 1584 x 396 pixels.
Conclusion
Customizing your LinkedIn cover photo is a great way to add personality and visual flair to your profile. Just be sure to use an image that fits the required 1584 x 396 pixel dimensions. With the right tools and a quality high-resolution photo, you can easily crop and resize an image to create an eye-catching LinkedIn cover.