Having the right LinkedIn cover photo is important for making a good first impression and standing out on the platform. However, getting your photo to fit perfectly can be tricky with LinkedIn’s specific cover photo dimensions. In this article, we’ll walk through how to size and optimize your LinkedIn cover photo so it looks great.
What are the dimensions for a LinkedIn cover photo?
LinkedIn cover photos have the following dimensions:
- 1584 x 396 pixels (width x height)
- Proportion: 4:1 (width:height ratio)
- File size: 8MB maximum
- File type: JPG, PNG, or GIF
The most important thing is ensuring your photo has the correct 4:1 widescreen proportion. If the proportion is off, LinkedIn will automatically crop and zoom your photo to try to make it fit, which often results in awkward cropping.
How do you resize a photo to LinkedIn cover photo dimensions?
Here are some tips for resizing your photo properly:
- Use image editing software like Photoshop, Canva, GIMP, or Pixlr to resize your photo.
- Start with a high quality image that is larger than 1584 x 396 pixels.
- Set the canvas or document size to exactly 1584 x 396 pixels.
- Place your photo on the canvas and resize/scale it to fill the width, not the height.
- Use the crop tool to cut off any extra vertical space, keeping the width full at 1584 pixels.
- Save and export the resized photo.
This will ensure your photo’s width and proportions are perfect for LinkedIn’s cover image area. Avoid just shrinking the entire photo proportionally, as it will become too narrow.
How do you add a LinkedIn cover photo?
Uploading your cover photo to LinkedIn is easy:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile page.
- Click the camera icon that says “Change cover image” underneath your current cover.
- Click “Upload photo” and select your properly sized cover photo from your computer.
- Drag and rearrange the photo to set the focal point.
- Click “Save changes” to set your new cover photo.
Your new cover photo will now be visible to anyone who views your LinkedIn profile. Make sure to choose a photo that represents you or your professional brand well.
Tips for choosing a good LinkedIn cover photo
Here are some additional tips for picking a strong LinkedIn cover image:
- Use a high quality, eye-catching photo relevant to your industry or profession.
- Avoid cluttered or distracting backgrounds. Simple is best.
- Make sure your important focal point is in the left two-thirds of the image since the right side will be under your profile image.
- Use the photo to tell visual stories or showcase achievements like teamwork, presentations, projects, etc.
- Represent your brand consistently through the imagery.
- A professional headshot can work nicely as well.
Common LinkedIn cover photo mistakes
Here are some common cover photo mistakes to avoid:
- Stretching a photo incorrectly, resulting in distortion.
- Pixelated or blurry images.
- Cropped off headshots.
- Watermarks, text, or overly busy images.
- Irrelevant stock images.
- Outdated photos.
- Amismatched brand, style, or focal point.
Learn from examples of great LinkedIn cover photos
One of the best ways to get cover photo inspiration is looking at examples from other LinkedIn users in your industry. Here are some great examples:
Creative agency
For a creative agency, an artistic, branded background represents their style well. The bold colors and shapes speak to their creative capabilities.
Professional coach
For coaches, covers featuring public speaking, workshops, or thought leadership establish their expertise. This helps attract coaching clients.
Software company
Software companies can use their cover space to feature their actual software and applications. This makes things visual for those interested in using the software.
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofits should capture their mission and community-driven efforts through images of people making an impact together. This rallies support for the cause.
Tools to design LinkedIn cover photos
Here are some useful design tools for customizing your LinkedIn cover image:
Canva
Canva offers templates sized specifically for LinkedIn cover photos. You can use your own photos or Canva’s stock library and easily add text.
Crello
Like Canva, Crello has LinkedIn cover templates. You can drag and drop images, shapes, graphics, and text elements.
PicMonkey
PicMonkey is an advanced photo editor with professional templates for social media images. You can layer text, graphics, and effects onto your cover photo.
GIMP
GIMP is a free, open-source photo editing software similar to Photoshop. You can precisely edit cover photo dimensions and add design elements.
Previewed
Previewed helps you preview what your LinkedIn profile looks like to others. This is useful for perfecting the way your cover photo looks on your profile.
Frequently asked questions
What size should my photo be for LinkedIn?
The ideal LinkedIn cover photo size is 1584 x 396 pixels to fit the cover image area without being distorted or cropped. Use a high resolution image for best quality.
Can I use the same photo for LinkedIn and Facebook?
You can use the same photo for LinkedIn and Facebook, but you’ll need to resize and crop it differently to fit each platform’s cover image dimensions.
What is the file size limit for LinkedIn photos?
LinkedIn allows cover photos up to 8MB in size. Aim for photos under 2MB when possible for fastest upload speeds.
Does LinkedIn cover photo have to be horizontal?
Yes, LinkedIn cover photos must have a widescreen horizontal orientation. Vertical photos will not work properly.
Can I make changes to my LinkedIn cover photo?
Yes, you can edit your LinkedIn cover photo at any time. Simply re-upload a new properly sized cover image to change it.
Conclusion
Customizing your LinkedIn cover photo is a great way to showcase your professional brand. With the right sizing and design considerations, you can make your cover image stand out while representing you or your company. Use the tips in this guide to create a polished LinkedIn profile cover that makes a fantastic first impression.