LinkedIn Banner Best Practices: Size, Tips & Examples

The ideal LinkedIn banner size is 1584 × 396 pixels. Beyond getting the dimensions right, the best LinkedIn banners are clean, on-brand and clearly communicate who you are and what you offer. Your banner is the wide strip of visual space at the top of your profile, and it's prime real estate that most people leave blank or default.

This guide covers everything you need to get yours right: the exact dimensions for both profiles and company pages, a best-practices checklist, what to include, examples by profession, the mistakes to avoid, and the tools to build one. Whether you're a job seeker, freelancer or running a company page, the principles are the same: the right size, a clean design, and a clear message that backs up your headline.

What is a LinkedIn banner?

A LinkedIn banner is the wide background image that sits at the top of your profile, behind your name and headline. It's also called your cover photo or background image, and it's separate from the round profile photo that identifies you.

The two do different jobs. Your profile picture is the small image of you (or your logo) that follows you around LinkedIn. Your banner is the large canvas behind it: the profile picture identifies you, while the banner sets the scene and reinforces your personal brand.

What size should a LinkedIn banner be? (dimensions & specs)

The ideal LinkedIn banner size is 1584 × 396 pixels for a personal profile, with a 4:1 aspect ratio. For a company page, the banner is 1128 × 191 pixels. Save it as a JPG or PNG, keep the file under 8MB, and use a high-resolution image so it stays sharp rather than pixelated. These are the dimensions LinkedIn itself recommends in its image specifications.

SpecPersonal profileCompany pageSize1584 × 396 px1128 × 191 pxAspect ratio4:1~5.9:1File typeJPG or PNGJPG or PNGMax file size8 MB8 MBSafe zoneKeep key elements centre/rightCentre

Desktop vs mobile (the safe zone)

Your banner displays differently across devices, and this is where most designs go wrong. Your profile photo sits over the bottom-left corner of the banner, and on mobile it's larger and the sides get cropped in. Anything important tucked into that bottom-left area, or right at the edges, can be hidden or cut off.

The fix is simple: keep your text, logo and key elements in the centre or towards the right, clear of the profile photo. A quick preview on both desktop and the mobile app before you commit will save you from a tagline that's half-covered by your own face.

LinkedIn banner best practices (checklist)

The best LinkedIn banners follow the same handful of rules. Run yours through this checklist.

• Lead with your value proposition. A short tagline that says what you do or who you help works harder than a pretty landscape. This is the single biggest improvement most banners can make.
• Keep it relevant to your audience. Design for the people viewing your profile, whether that's recruiters, clients or peers, and reflect your industry.
• Use high-quality, correctly-sized images. Build at 1584 × 396 px so nothing stretches or blurs.
• Keep elements centre or right. Stay clear of the bottom-left where your profile photo sits.
• Avoid clutter. Use white space and give yourself one clear focal point. A busy banner says nothing.
• Stay on-brand. Match the colours, fonts and tone you use elsewhere, so your profile feels like one coherent thing.
• Make text readable on mobile. Check the contrast and keep type large enough to read on a phone.
• Add a subtle call to action where it fits. A website, an “open to work” line, or a clear tagline gives visitors a next step.
• Keep it current. Update the banner as your role, services or focus change, so it always reflects what you do now.

What to include in your LinkedIn banner

You don't need to cram everything in. A strong banner usually combines a few of these, with plenty of breathing room around them.

• A tagline or value proposition: the one line that sums up what you offer.
• Your name and title, if it suits the design (optional, since they already appear on your profile).
• A logo or brand mark, especially for freelancers, consultants and businesses.
• A website or contact detail, or a soft call to action.
• An on-brand background image or pattern that sets the right tone.
• Consistent brand colours and a legible font that match the rest of your presence.

The rule of thumb: every element should support your headline, not compete with it.

LinkedIn banner examples (by profession)

What makes a good banner depends on what you do. Here's the angle that tends to work for each.

If you're a…Lead with…Why it worksJob seekerA clean “open to work” line plus a one-line value statementRecruiters see your status and your offer at a glanceFreelancer / consultantYour core services and a website or contact promptMakes it easy for a prospect to see what you do and actCorporate professionalMinimal, polished design with subtle brand coloursSignals credibility without shoutingCreativeBolder colour and a snippet of portfolio workShows your style rather than describing itRecruiterThe employer brand and the roles you hire forTurns your profile into a soft advert for your company

Pair any of these with a banner designed properly to your brand and it lifts the whole profile.

LinkedIn banner mistakes to avoid

Most weak banners share the same faults. Avoid these and you're ahead of most profiles.

• Leaving it blank or on the default LinkedIn pattern.
• Using low-resolution or stretched images that look amateur.
• Placing important text in the bottom-left, where the profile photo covers it.
• Cramming in too much text or too many elements.
• Clashing colours that fight your profile photo or brand.
• Generic stock imagery that says nothing about you.
• Content that contradicts your headline or feels off-brand.
• Setting it once and never updating it.

How to create a LinkedIn banner (tools)

You've got two routes, depending on time, budget and how polished you need it.

Template tools are the quickest start. Canva, Snappa and Adobe Express all offer LinkedIn banner templates pre-sized to 1584 × 396 px, with free tiers, so you can drop in your text, swap the colours and export in a few minutes. For full creative control, Photoshop and Illustrator let you build something completely custom and print-sharp.

Templates are fine for a simple, low-stakes banner. But if your LinkedIn profile is a genuine part of how you win work or get hired, a designed, on-brand banner that ties into the rest of your visual identity is worth the difference. That's where handing it to a designer pays off.

Frequently asked questions

What size should a LinkedIn banner be?

The ideal LinkedIn banner size is 1584 × 396 pixels for a personal profile, or 1128 × 191 pixels for a company page. Save it as a JPG or PNG under 8MB, and use a high-resolution image so it doesn't appear blurry or pixelated. Keep key text and elements centre or right, away from your profile photo.

What should I include in my LinkedIn banner?

A strong LinkedIn banner usually includes a short tagline or value proposition, consistent brand colours and a legible font, and an on-brand background image. You might also add your website, a logo, or a subtle call to action. Keep it simple; the banner should support your headline and profile, not overwhelm it.

How do I make my LinkedIn banner stand out?

To stand out, lead with a clear value proposition that says what you do, keep the design clean and uncluttered with plenty of white space, use high-quality on-brand visuals, and make sure text is readable on mobile. A banner tailored to your industry and audience will always outperform a generic stock image.

How often should I update my LinkedIn banner?

Update your LinkedIn banner whenever your role, services, skills or focus change, and review it at least once or twice a year. Keeping it current ensures your profile reflects what you do now, and refreshing the design occasionally signals that your profile is active and well-maintained.

What is the difference between a LinkedIn banner and profile picture?

Your profile picture is the small, usually round image of you (or your logo) that identifies you across LinkedIn. Your banner, also called the background or cover photo, is the wide image behind it at the top of your profile. The picture identifies you; the banner sets the scene and reinforces your brand.

Are there restrictions on LinkedIn banner content?

Yes. Your banner must follow LinkedIn's User Agreement and Professional Community Policies, so avoid misleading, offensive or infringing content, and only use images you have the rights to. Keep within the recommended size and file limits, and don't place essential text where the profile photo will cover it.

Make your LinkedIn banner work harder

A great LinkedIn banner comes down to three things: the right size (1584 × 396 px), a clean and on-brand design, and a clear message about who you are and what you offer. The quickest win is to audit your current banner against the checklist above, then fix whatever's letting it down, starting with the value proposition and the safe zone.

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