MotionShine01 / Size
2560 x 1440 recommended
YouTube's help asks for at least 2048 x 1152 at 16:9, and recommends 2560 x 1440, especially for TV. The file must be 6 MB or smaller.
Free tool
YouTube banner maker, safe on every screen.
Make your channel art at the size YouTube recommends, 2560 x 1440, with the safe area drawn over it while you work, so your name and logo show on phones and computers, not just on TVs. Use a gradient or your own picture, add your channel name, a tagline and a logo, and drag everything into place. The same editor makes an X header or a LinkedIn Page cover.
The safe area and labels are only on screen; they are not in the file you save.
Layers
Background
Save
Sizes from YouTube, X and LinkedIn help pages, read 17 October 2026.
The banner is made in your browser. Your pictures are never uploaded.
The YouTube numbers
Big picture, small safe area.
02 / Safe area
Where text belongs
At 2048 x 1152 the safe area for text and logos is 1235 x 338, in the middle. The box on the canvas is that area, scaled.
03 / Cropping
Each screen shows less
TVs show the whole image; phones and computers crop it. Anything outside the box can be cut off.
Questions
Good to know.
What size is a YouTube banner?
YouTube recommends 2560 x 1440 pixels, with a minimum of 2048 x 1152 at 16:9 and a file of 6 MB or less (YouTube Help, read 17 October 2026).
Where should I put my channel name?
Inside the safe area in the middle: at 2048 x 1152 it is 1235 x 338. Turn on Show the safe area and keep text and logos inside the box.
Why does my banner look cut off on my phone?
Phones and computers show only a strip of the banner. Only the safe area is shown everywhere, so anything outside it may be cropped.
Can I make an X or LinkedIn header here?
Yes. Pick X header (1500 x 500) or LinkedIn Page cover (1512 x 256) from Size. X notes that up to 60 px at the top and bottom may be cropped, and the canvas shows that.
How do I upload the banner?
In YouTube Studio, open Customization, then Profile, and change the banner image. YouTube lets you check the crop before you publish.