LinkedIn Banner Size, Examples, and Ideas (2026 Guide)
Oct 16, 2026
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6 mins read
Your LinkedIn banner is the biggest image on your profile, and most people leave it as the default blue background. That's a missed chance. When a prospect gets your connection request or message, they click through to your profile before deciding whether to respond. Your banner is one of the first things they see.
This guide covers the exact LinkedIn banner size, how to keep it from getting cut off on mobile, banner ideas by role, and the common mistakes that make a profile look unfinished. (LinkedIn calls it your background photo, and you'll also see it called a cover photo, background banner, or header. They all mean the same image.)
What Is the LinkedIn banner size? (Cover Photo Dimensions)
The LinkedIn banner size for personal profiles is 1584 x 396 pixels, a 4:1 ratio.
Getting this right matters because LinkedIn resizes anything that doesn't fit, which is how banners end up blurry or cropped. Here's everything you need before you design:
Dimensions: 1584 x 396 pixels
Aspect ratio: 4:1
File format: JPG or PNG (PNG keeps text sharper)
Max file size: 8 MB
Watch out for older templates online. Some still use outdated sizes like 1400 x 425 or 1500 x 500, which won't fit properly.
Designing for a company page instead? Company page cover images use a different size: 1128 x 191 pixels, as a JPG or PNG.
What happens if you use the wrong size?
LinkedIn will still accept an image that isn't 1584 x 396, but it won't look right. An image that's too small gets stretched and looks blurry. An image with a different shape, like a 1920 x 1080 photo, gets cropped to fit the 4:1 frame, which can cut off text or faces. Starting with a 1584 x 396 canvas avoids both problems.
How to stop your banner getting cut off on mobile
The same banner displays differently on desktop and on a phone. Mobile trims the edges, and your profile photo overlaps the lower part of the banner. That means text placed near the edges or in the bottom-left can disappear.
To keep your banner readable everywhere:
Keep text and logos centered, or slightly right of center
Leave the bottom-left corner clear, since your profile photo covers it
Keep important text away from the top and bottom edges
After uploading, check your profile on your phone before you move on
What should you put on your LinkedIn banner?
A good banner answers one question for whoever lands on your profile: who do you help, and with what?
For outreach, that matters more than looking pretty. If a prospect can tell in two seconds that you work with people like them, they're more likely to accept your request or reply to your message.
Strong banners usually include one or two of these:
A short value statement (one line, not a paragraph)
Who you help, such as "B2B SaaS founders" or "Hiring managers in fintech"
A proof point, like a result you've delivered or a company you work with
A simple next step, such as "Book a call via the link in my Featured section"
Your brand colors or a clean, relevant background image
Keep it to one message. A banner trying to say five things ends up saying nothing. Update it when your focus changes. A new offer, an upcoming event, or a hiring push is a good reason for a refresh, and it shows prospects your profile is active.
LinkedIn banner examples and ideas by role
Here are banner ideas you can adapt based on what you do.
Sales reps and account executives
Lead with the outcome you help buyers get, not your job title. Example text: "Helping logistics teams cut delivery costs." Add your company logo on the right side.
Founders
Say what your company does and who it's for in one line. Example text: "Building invoicing software for freelancers." A product screenshot or brand graphic works well behind the text.
Recruiters
Make it clear what roles you hire for. Example text: "Hiring engineers for remote-first startups." This helps candidates and hiring managers know straight away whether to reply.
Consultants and agency owners
Pair your niche with a result. Example text: "Paid ads for DTC brands | 3x ROAS clients." Only use numbers you can back up.
Marketers and creators
Point to your content or a lead magnet. Example text: “Weekly B2B marketing breakdowns. Subscribe via the Featured section.” For more ideas, see how to build a personal brand on LinkedIn.
Common LinkedIn banner mistakes
Leaving the default banner. It signals an unfinished profile.
Putting text in the bottom-left corner. Your profile photo covers it.
Using too much text. If you need to squint to read it on a phone, cut it down.
Low-contrast text. Light text on a busy photo is hard to read. Use a plain background behind your text and a clear, simple font.
Using a blurry or stretched image. Start from a 1584 x 396 canvas instead of resizing a random photo.
Outdated information. An old job, an expired offer, or a past event makes the whole profile feel stale.
Making it about you instead of them. "Award-winning sales leader" tells a prospect less than "Helping SaaS teams book more demos."
How to make a LinkedIn banner (free templates and tools)
You don't need a designer to make a decent banner. Free design tools like Canva and Figma have LinkedIn banner templates already set to the right size. Pick a simple template, swap in your own text and colors, and export it as a PNG. Figma's community also has free LinkedIn profile mockups, so you can preview your banner with your profile photo in place before uploading.
Prefer to skip the design work? Profile Optimizer can generate a new banner for you as part of improving your profile, and you review it before anything goes live on LinkedIn.
How to change your LinkedIn banner
Go to your LinkedIn profile
Click the edit (camera or pencil) icon on your banner area
Upload your image
Adjust the position and save
Check how it looks on both desktop and your phone
Does your LinkedIn banner matter for outreach?
Yes. Your banner won't land a meeting on its own, but it shapes the first impression a prospect gets when they check you out. A clear, relevant banner backs up your message. A default or messy one gives them a reason to ignore it. For more on getting replies, see how to improve your LinkedIn response rates.
The LinkedIn banner size for personal profiles is 1584 x 396 pixels (a 4:1 aspect ratio), uploaded as a JPG or PNG under 8 MB.
What should my LinkedIn banner be?
Put a short statement of who you help and how, plus one proof point or next step if you have room. Keep it to one clear message.
Why is my LinkedIn banner blurry?
Usually because the image is smaller than 1584 x 396 pixels and LinkedIn stretches it to fit. Upload at full size, and use PNG if your banner has text.
Why is my LinkedIn banner cut off on mobile?
Phones trim the edges of the banner, and your profile photo covers the bottom-left corner. Keep text centered and test it on your phone after uploading.
Does a LinkedIn banner matter for outreach?
Yes. Prospects check your profile before accepting a request or replying. A clear banner that shows who you help makes your outreach look more credible.
Can I use a 1920 x 1080 image as my LinkedIn banner?
No. LinkedIn will crop it to fit the 4:1 banner frame, which can cut off important parts. Resize or redesign it at 1584 x 396 pixels instead.
What is the LinkedIn company page banner size?
Company page cover images are 1128 x 191 pixels, as a JPG or PNG.
Can I use a free tool to make a LinkedIn banner?
Yes. Canva and Figma both offer free templates already set to 1584 x 396 pixels.
How do I change my LinkedIn banner?
Go to your LinkedIn profile, click the edit (camera or pencil) icon on your banner, upload your image, adjust the position, and save. Then check how it looks on both desktop and your phone.
Make your banner work for your outreach
The right LinkedIn banner size is 1584 x 396 pixels, but getting the size right is only the start. The banners that work best for outreach keep one clear message, show who you help, and stay readable on a phone. When a prospect clicks through from your connection request, that's what tells them you're worth replying to.
Not sure how your banner holds up? It's one of the six sections Profile Score checks, along with your photo, headline, summary, experience, and skills. Get your score out of 100 and see what to fix first.
Want help making the changes? The Profile Optimizer can generate a new banner and rewrite your profile sections, and nothing goes live on LinkedIn until you approve it. Start a free 14-day We-Connect trial, no credit card required.
