YouTube Channel Banner Specifications
Complete guide to YouTube channel banner (channel art) dimensions. Create the perfect banner with safe zones for desktop, mobile, tablet, and TV display. Updated for 2026.
Quick Specs
Dimensions & Resolution
Official recommended size, especially for TV displays
Smallest size YouTube accepts, 16:9 aspect ratio required
YouTube Banner Size for All Devices (Desktop, Mobile, Tablet, TV)
| Device | Visible Banner Area | What Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 1546 x 423 px | Smallest crop, identical to the safe area |
| Tablet | 1855 x 423 px | Slightly wider strip than mobile |
| Desktop | 2560 x 423 px | Full-width strip across the top of the channel page |
| TV | 2560 x 1440 px | The complete uploaded image |
YouTube uses one uploaded banner for every device, but each device shows a different slice of it. Only the 1546x423 pixel safe area in the center appears on every screen, so all text and logos must stay inside it. Anything outside the safe area can be cut off, especially on phones.
Important Notes
YouTube channel banners (formerly called channel art) use one uploaded image across every device, but each screen shows a different slice of it. Upload at 2560x1440 pixels, the official recommended size, and never below the 2048x1152 pixel minimum. Keep all text and logos inside the central safe area from the device table above, because that region is the only part guaranteed to appear everywhere.
Optimization Tips
- ✓Always upload at 2560x1440px - the full recommended size
- ✓Keep all text and logos within the 1546x423px center safe area
- ✓Use YouTube Studio's preview to check how your banner looks on different devices
- ✓Design from the center outward - mobile crops most aggressively
- ✓Keep file size under 6MB - use JPG at 85% quality for photos
- ✓Consider how your profile picture overlaps the banner on desktop
- ✓PNG for clean graphics with text, JPG for photographic backgrounds
- ✓Leave the bottom-center area clear where channel links appear on desktop
Sources & Verification
Last verified: 2026-07-20
Verified against the official YouTube Help Center banner image guidelines: 2560x1440px recommended upload (especially for TV), 2048x1152px minimum at 16:9, 6MB max file size. YouTube states the safe area as 1235x338px at the minimum upload size, which scales to 1546x423px at the recommended 2560x1440px upload.
Profile Picture Overlap
Profile picture may overlap bottom-left corner on desktop layout
Channel Links
Channel links overlay the banner in the bottom-right on desktop. Keep this area clean.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best YouTube banner size?
Upload at 2560x1440 pixels for the best quality across all devices. The safe area for text and logos is 1546x423 pixels in the center of the image, which is guaranteed to display on every device including mobile phones.
What is the YouTube banner size for mobile?
On mobile, YouTube shows only the central 1546x423 pixel safe area of your banner. Upload the full 2560x1440 pixel image and keep text and logos inside that safe area so nothing important gets cut off on phones.
Why does my YouTube banner look cropped on mobile?
YouTube displays different portions of your banner on different devices. Mobile shows the smallest area (1546x423px center), while desktop shows 2560x423px and TV shows the full 2560x1440px. Design with the center safe area in mind.
What is the YouTube banner safe area?
The safe area is 1546x423 pixels centered within the full 2560x1440px banner. This is the region visible on all devices including mobile phones. Place all critical content - text, logos, calls-to-action - within this area.
What file format is best for YouTube banners?
Use JPG for photographic banners (keeps file size under 6MB limit easily) and PNG for graphics with text or logos that need crisp edges. Both formats are well-supported.
How often should I update my YouTube banner?
Update your banner whenever you rebrand, launch new content series, or want to promote seasonal campaigns. Many successful channels update their banners monthly to keep their channel page fresh.
Recent Updates
Re-verified every spec against the official YouTube Help Center guidelines and added the banner size for all devices section, including the official 2048x1152 minimum upload size.
Initial publication. Verified all specifications against YouTube Help Center and multiple sources.
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