The LinkedIn background banner is an important part of establishing your professional brand on the platform. With over 800 million members, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network and an invaluable tool for building your online presence and making connections.
The standard size for a LinkedIn background banner is 1584 x 396 pixels.
This allows you to upload a high quality, customized banner that will stand out on your profile.
In this article, we’ll break down the recommended specifications for creating a LinkedIn background banner. We’ll look at the correct dimensions, file size, image resolution, and design tips to make your banner eye-catching and effective. Whether you’re looking to give your profile a professional refresh or want to create a banner for the first time, this guide will provide everything you need to know.
LinkedIn Background Banner Dimensions
The LinkedIn background banner appears just below your profile photo and headline. It stretches across your entire profile, so it’s essential to use the right dimensions.
Here are the key specs for a LinkedIn background banner:
- Width: 1584 pixels
- Height: 396 pixels
- Aspect Ratio: 4:1
This means your banner should be just under twice as wide as it is tall. The 4:1 aspect ratio allows your image to fit smoothly across desktop, tablet, and mobile displays without distortion.
When designing your banner, keep in mind that the maximum file size LinkedIn allows is 8MB. This gives you room to work with a high resolution, detailed image.
Desktop Display
On a desktop display, a 1584 x 396 pixel LinkedIn banner will stretch across the full width of the screen. The key content and messaging of your banner should be centered within the middle 1280 pixels.
This allows for about 150 pixels on the far left and right sides that may get cut off on some displays. Avoid putting critical information in these far left/right sections.
Mobile Display
On mobile devices, LinkedIn will automatically crop your banner to fit the smaller screens. Only the middle portion of your image will be shown.
This means you’ll want to focus your key messaging and visuals in a centralized area. The most important content should be within 818 x 396 pixels to ensure it’s seen on mobile.
Keep these measurements in mind when designing your banner artwork. Optimize it so your banner looks great whether someone is viewing your profile on a desktop, phone, or tablet.
Ideal Banner Image Resolution
To ensure your banner isn’t blurry or pixelated, you’ll want to upload an image with an adequate resolution. The recommended resolution for a LinkedIn banner is:
- 72 PPI (pixels per inch)
- At least 2x the upload size
This means your source image should be at least 3168 x 792 pixels (2x the 1584 x 396 upload size).
A resolution in the ballpark of 3000 x 750 pixels gives you plenty of detail. Increase the resolution if you want ultra crisp text and visuals when viewers zoom in on your banner.
72 PPI is the standard resolution used for web images. Higher resolutions like 300 PPI are best for printed materials. Since a LinkedIn banner is strictly displayed online, 72 PPI provides more than enough image quality.
File Size Limit
As mentioned earlier, LinkedIn allows background banner files up to 8MB in size. This gives you plenty of room to work with.
Here are some tips to reduce file size if needed:
- Save images as compressed JPG files rather than PNGs.
- Use image optimization tools to reduce file size without affecting quality.
- Lower the image resolution if it’s excessively large.
Keeping your banner under 8MB prevents loading delays or errors when uploading to LinkedIn.
Design Tips and Ideas
Now that we’ve covered the technical requirements, let’s look at some design tips and ideas to make your LinkedIn banner visually appealing:
Use High Quality Photos and Graphics
Take advantage of the 1584 x 396 pixel space by featuring a striking high resolution photo or graphic. This could be:
- A professional headshot or full body photo of yourself.
- An image representing your industry or area of expertise.
- Your company’s office, products, or branding.
- A cityscape, landscape, or other background related to your business.
Just ensure any photos/graphics are crisp, eye-catching, and relevant to your personal brand or company.
Incorporate Text Overlays
Overlaying text on your banner image is an effective way to convey key messaging. You can include:
- Your name and job title.
- A motto, tagline, or headline summarizing what you do.
- Your company or brand name.
- A call-to-action like “Connect with me!”
Keep text short, bold, and legible. Stick to 30 words or less. Use contrasting colors to make the text pop.
Add Some Personality
While you want to maintain a professional appearance, don’t be afraid to showcase a bit of personality too. This could include:
- A warm, approachable facial expression in your headshot.
- Fun design elements relating to your hobbies or interests.
- Unique fonts and color schemes that reflect your brand.
- A conversational, friendly tone in your text overlay.
Injecting some personality makes your profile more memorable. Just keep it tasteful and avoid anything that may come across as unprofessional.
Strategically Use Negative Space
Negative or empty space in design refers to areas containing no text, photos, or graphics. Don’t feel compelled to fill every inch of your banner.
Strategic use of negative space provides:
- Breathing room between elements.
- Allows focal points like your profile photo to stand out.
- Prevents your banner from feeling cluttered.
Aim for a clean, balanced look with adequate negative space around text and graphics.
Test Visibility on Mobile
As mentioned earlier, LinkedIn will crop your full banner down to about 818 x 396 pixels on mobile.
Be sure to preview how your banner looks on a smartphone screen and tweak if needed. Optimize for mobile visibility.
By following these best practices, you can create an incredible LinkedIn background banner that elevates your personal brand and leaves a strong impression. Stand out from the crowd with a high quality, professionally designed banner.
Uploading Your Background Banner
Once you’ve created a banner that looks amazing, it’s time to upload it to LinkedIn. Here’s how:
Access Banner Uploading
Follow these steps to access banner uploading on LinkedIn’s desktop site:
- Click on the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Select View profile from the dropdown menu.
- Click the pencil Edit icon next to your current banner.
- Choose the option to Change background photo.
This will open your banner uploading window.
Upload New Banner
In the banner uploading window you can:
- Drag and drop your banner file into the indicated area.
- Alternatively, click Upload Photo to pick a file from your computer.
- Adjust positioning by clicking and dragging the photo thumbnail.
- Preview how your banner will appear on desktop and mobile.
- Click Save once you’re satisfied.
And that’s all there is to it! Your new banner will now be visible to anyone who views your LinkedIn profile.
Tips for an Effective Banner
To maximize the impact of your LinkedIn profile banner, keep these tips in mind:
- Refresh your banner regularly to showcase new achievements, promotions, projects etc.
- Time your banner updates to coincide with major career milestones or events.
- Use your banner as visual reinforcement for your headline and summary section.
- Drive visitors to your website, blog, or online portfolio with a call-to-action.
- Coordinate your banner with your profile photo for a cohesive look.
With a well-designed, frequently updated banner, you can turn your LinkedIn profile into an eye-catching advertisement for your personal or company brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about optimizing your LinkedIn profile with a background banner:
What file types can I use?
LinkedIn supports the following file types for background banners:
- JPG
- JPEG
- PNG
- GIF (non-animated)
JPG is recommended for photographs. PNGs and GIFs work well for graphics with flat colors and sharp text.
Can I customize my banner per device?
No, LinkedIn does not currently allow uploading different banner versions for desktop vs. mobile. You’ll need to upload one banner image that looks good across all devices.
What’s the best banner orientation?
Always design your banner in landscape orientation at 1584 x 396 pixels. Uploading a banner taller than 396 pixels will result in unwanted cropping by LinkedIn.
How do I remove the banner on my profile?
If you want to revert to having no banner, follow the same steps to access uploading. Then simply click the “Remove” button to delete your existing banner.
This will return your profile to the standard background color. You can always upload a new banner again at any time!
Conclusion
Maximizing your LinkedIn profile with an eye-catching, professional background banner is a great way to elevate your brand and make a strong first impression.
By following the 1584 x 396 pixel size guidelines, optimizing your image resolution and design, and customizing your banner for both desktop and mobile, you can create an incredible visual addition to your LinkedIn presence.
Refresh and update your banner regularly to highlight new projects, achievements, and milestones. Use it as a versatile branding tool to boost your professional image.
So now that you know the ins and outs of LinkedIn background banner sizes and specs, it’s time to create one that takes your profile to the next level!