When creating a LinkedIn banner image, two of the most common image file formats to choose between are JPEG (or JPG) and PNG. But which one is better suited for LinkedIn banners? The answer depends on several factors.
JPEG vs PNG: Key Differences
JPEG and PNG are two of the most widely used lossy and lossless image compression formats. Here are the key differences between them:
JPEG | PNG |
---|---|
Lossy compression – some image quality is lost | Lossless compression – retains full image quality |
Better compression for photographic images | Better compression for images with flat colors/shapes |
No support for transparency | Supports transparency |
Smaller file size | Larger file size than JPEG |
In summary:
- JPEG compresses images by losing some quality, resulting in smaller files
- PNG is lossless and retains full image quality, but files are larger
- JPEG is better for photographic images
- PNG handles flat colors, shapes and transparency better
LinkedIn Banner Image Requirements
When deciding between JPEG vs PNG for your LinkedIn banner, you need to keep LinkedIn’s banner image requirements in mind:
- Dimensions: 1400 x 425 pixels
- File Size: 2MB max
- File Type: JPG, PNG, or GIF (animated GIFs not supported)
The key constraints are the 2MB maximum file size and the 1400 x 425 pixel dimensions.
JPEG Pros for LinkedIn Banners
Here are some of the advantages of using JPEG for LinkedIn banners:
- Smaller file sizes – JPEGs can compress photographic images to smaller sizes than PNGs, keeping within the 2MB limit.
- Faster loading – The smaller file sizes also mean the image can load faster.
- Better photo compression – JPEG is optimized to compress photographic images with complex blends of colors and shades.
- Wide browser support – JPEG is supported by all modern web browsers.
JPEG is a good choice if your banner contains photographic images and textures that benefit from JPEG’s specialized compression algorithms.
PNG Pros for LinkedIn Banners
Here are some advantages of PNG for LinkedIn banners:
- Lossless quality – PNG files preserve full image quality with no artifacting.
- Transparency support – PNGs allow transparent backgrounds, great for banners.
- Higher text/shape quality – PNGs handle flat colors, shapes and text better than JPEG.
- Best for logos and icons – PNG is ideal for compressing simple logos, icons and illustrations.
- Matching image and text quality – Use PNG if text is overlayed, so both are crisp.
PNG is advantageous if your banner contains logos, flat illustrations, shapes, text, or transparency/matting.
Finding the Best Balance
The best format comes down to balancing these factors for your specific banner:
- Amount of photographic imagery vs flat graphics/text
- Need for transparency or matting
- Whether file size is close to the 2MB limit
- Whether sharpness of fine text and details is a priority
Some tips to optimize both file size and quality:
- Use PNG for logos, text, and illustrations. JPEG for photos.
- Save a copy in each format and compare to see which looks better.
- Use image optimization tools to reduce JPEG compression artifacts.
- Use PNG compression tools to minimize file size.
Recommended JPEG Quality Level
When saving JPEG images, you can adjust the compression quality level. A higher quality level results in a larger file size but less degradation.
For LinkedIn banners, a JPEG quality level between 60-80 is recommended. This balances quality and file size well for most banner images containing photos.
Quality | Quality Level | File Size |
---|---|---|
Low | 10-30 | Small |
Medium | 40-60 | Moderate |
High | 70-80 | Large |
Maximum | 90-100 | Very large |
Higher than 80 means larger files without much visible improvement. Lower than 60 risks obvious banding/artifacting.
Recommended PNG Compression
PNG files can also be compressed when saved, to reduce file size while retaining quality. This involves:
- Removing metadata
- Optimizing filtering
- Converting to progressive display
Various PNG compression tools are available to optimize PNGs. This can help minimize file size when PNG is needed for transparency/matting or high-quality logos and text.
Conclusion
For most LinkedIn banner uses, JPEG is the best format for photographic imagery, while PNG is better for logos, text, and illustrations. The ideal approach is likely using a combination, with PNG for logos and transparency, and optimized JPEG for photos.
The most important factors are staying under 2MB and maintaining clear, sharp image quality. Both JPEG and PNG can achieve this with the right compression settings for the source image content.