[FAQ]

I’m designing a new profile and I want to make sure the header image looks sharp and isn’t awkwardly cropped on mobile or desktop. I’ve seen a few different sizes recommended online and I’m not sure which is the most current for 2025.

Does anyone know the official, up-to-date dimensions? I’m also looking for any tips on the “safe zones” to make sure the profile picture doesn’t cover up any important parts of the design.

[Jeff Bullas]

A very important design question. Getting the banner right is key to a professional-looking profile.

Brief Answer: The recommended image size for an X banner is 1500×500 pixels. However, the critical part of designing this image is to keep all key visual elements within a central ‘safe zone’ to avoid them being obscured by your profile picture or cropped on different devices.

Think of the banner not as a static, rectangular image, but as a responsive branding space that needs to be flexible.

The official dimension to design your image at is indeed 1500 pixels wide by 500 pixels tall. However, you must understand that the full image is almost never visible. The platform will responsively crop the top and bottom of the image to fit different screen aspect ratios. Furthermore, your profile picture will always cover a significant portion of the bottom-left corner.

This is why designing for the ‘safe zone’ is the most important rule. You should assume that the top and bottom 60-70 pixels of your banner image might be cut off. All of your critical visual information—such as a logo, a face, or any important text—must be placed in the central area of the image, well away from the edges and especially clear of that bottom-left corner. This ensures the core message of your brand’s image is always visible, no matter the device.

In terms of content, the image should be high-quality and clearly communicate what the account is about. It should be visually interesting but simple enough that it doesn’t clash with the profile picture and the bio text that sits below it. The banner sets the tone and provides a backdrop for the rest of the profile’s content.

Finally, the only way to be certain your design works is to test it. After you create the image, upload it and immediately check the profile on a desktop computer, a tablet, and a mobile phone. This will show you exactly how it adapts and if your safe zone calculations were correct.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Author]

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