Checked on October 4, 2026, based on the YouTube Help articles "Manage your channel branding" and tips for channel banners and profile pictures.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum upload size | 2048×1152 (16:9) |
| Recommended size | 2560×1440 |
| Safe area where text and logos won't be cut (at the minimum size) | 1235×338 |
| File size | 6 MB or less |
What is the safe area?
The same banner is cropped differently on desktop, mobile and TV. 1235×338 is the central area, at the minimum size (2048 wide), that is never cut anywhere. Scaled to a 2560-pixel width, it's about 1544×423, and that is the green dashed line in the YouTube Banner Maker.
Why is it cropped differently on each device?
A computer screen shows the banner wide, but a phone screen is narrow, so it crops more off both sides and shows mostly the center. A TV shows it at yet another ratio. That's why YouTube defines a central area that is safe on any device. Content outside the safe area may show on some devices but be cut off on others.
Minimum vs. recommended size: what's the difference?
The minimum size (2048×1152) is the smallest you can upload, and the recommended size (2560×1440) is what keeps it sharp even on big screens like a TV. Uploading at the minimum size works, but the image can lose quality when it's scaled up on a big screen. Working at the recommended size from the start keeps it sharp on any screen.
How to make one
- Open the YouTube Banner Maker and a 2560×1440 canvas is ready.
- Fill in a background image or color, and place your channel name and logo inside the green dashed line (the safe area).
- Check that no decorations or text go outside the safe area.
- Save as PNG or JPG and check that it's 6 MB or less.
Take extra care for TV screens
People often watch TV from across the living room, so small text and fine details are even harder to see from that distance. If many of your viewers watch on TV, make the text bigger and the color contrast stronger, even inside the safe area.
Tips
- Don't add decorations like shadows or borders. YouTube Help advises avoiding them.
- Put your key logo and channel name inside the safe area.
- Matching the color tone of your profile picture gives your whole channel a consistent look and helps first-time visitors remember your brand.
Good vs. bad examples
- Good: the channel name and key information are inside the central safe area.
- Bad: the channel name sits at the far left of the banner and gets cut off on mobile.
- Good: made sharp at 2560×1440.
- Bad: a small photo stretched to fit, so it looks blurry.
Common mistakes
- Scattering important text across the whole banner, so several pieces get cut off on mobile.
- Adding shadow or border effects, which goes against the official guidance and makes the design look heavy.
- Uploading an image smaller than the minimum size (2048×1152), so it turns blurry when scaled up.
Checklist
- Did you make it at 2560×1440, or at least 2048×1152?
- Are the channel name and logo inside the safe area (about 1544×423)?
- Is the file 6 MB or less?
- Did you leave out decorations like shadows and borders?
FAQ
Is design outside the safe area never visible?
It's just cropped differently depending on the device. It may be visible on a big computer screen but cut off on phones or TVs.
Do I have to put text on my banner?
No. You can show your channel's mood with just a logo or image. Adding your channel name does help first-time visitors recognize you quickly.
Should my profile picture and banner be the same size?
No. The profile picture is square (shown as a circle) and the banner is a 16:9 landscape image, so they have different purposes and ratios.
What font works best for text on a banner?
For important text like your channel name, a bold, clear font works best, just like on thumbnails. Banners are usually shown larger than thumbnails, so thinner fonts also look relatively fine. Either way, always keep the text inside the safe area.