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
Full size for all devices including TV
Guaranteed visible area across all devices
Visible area on desktop browsers
Visible area on tablets
Important Notes
YouTube channel banners (formerly called channel art) display differently across devices. Upload at 2560x1440 pixels to cover all display sizes, but place all important text and logos within the 1546x423 pixel safe area in the center. This safe area is the only region guaranteed to display on all devices including mobile phones. Desktop shows a wider 2560x423px strip, while TV displays the full 2560x1440px image.
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: 2026-03-10
Verified from official YouTube Help Center. 2560x1440px upload, 1546x423px safe area, 6MB max.
device Display Areas
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.
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
Initial publication. Verified all specifications against YouTube Help Center and multiple sources.
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