YouTube channel’s banner is the first thing visitors see above your videos, and it can set expectations, introduce your brand, and give a polished, professional feeling. That’s why designing YouTube banner sizes that work across desktop, mobile, TV, and tablet is crucial. 

In 2025, with so many devices, doing it wrong means your design can get cut off. 

In this guide, you’ll learn the ideal YouTube banner dimensions, how to handle the YouTube banner ratio, and make sure your visuals look great wherever they’re seen. 

We’ll also cover related sizes: YouTube thumbnail size, banner frame size, banner size for mobile, and more, so your entire channel presentation is cohesive and optimized.

Recommended YouTube Image Sizes and Safe Areas for your YouTube Channel

The recommended YouTube banner frame size for YouTube is 2048 × 1152 pixels (aspect ratio 16:9).
A “safe area” is 1546 × 423 pixels, where your logo, text, and key visuals should be placed to avoid being clipped on smaller screens. The maximum file size recommended is 6 MB, and acceptable formats include JPG and PNG.

Source: Apple’s account on YouTube

For YouTube Profile Picture, the recommended size is 800 x 800 px. When it comes to YouTube Video Thumbnail size, make sure the dimensions are 1920 x 1080 px with aspect ratio 16:9 and maximum file size of 2MB. Preferable formats are JPG, PNG or GIF.

The right dimensions for YouTube Thumbnail is 1280 x 720 px. For YouTube Shorts Thumbnail, use 1080 x 1920 px dimensions (9:16 aspect ratio).

Check the table below for all YouTube banner image sizes:

How to Make a YouTube Banner / Channel Art in 2025

Here’s a step-by-step process to create a banner that works across devices:

  1. Set up a canvas at 2048 × 1152 px;

  2. Overlay guidelines or guides to indicate the safe zone (1546 × 423 px);

  3. Place your branding, tagline, and core visuals inside the safe area;

  4. Use high-resolution textures, gradients, or images that extend beyond the safe zone to fill the full canvas;

  5. Keep file size under 6 MB to avoid upload issues;

  6. Preview across devices: YouTube often shows a preview for desktop, mobile, and TV. Adjust your layout accordingly;

  7. Update your banner when your brand strategy changes or your content focus shifts, so it stays aligned with your channel theme.
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Common Mistakes in Designing YouTube Banners Template

  • Putting text or logos outside the safe zone: they’ll disappear on smaller devices;

  • Using low-resolution images;

  • Overcrowding the banner with too much text or complex graphics;

  • Ignoring preview cropping: always check how it looks on mobile and desktop before publishing;

  • Letting unnecessary parts of the banner dominate the safe zone: this part is essential, use it meaningfully.

YouTube Channel Art for Mobile

When viewers use YouTube on mobile devices, the outer edges of the banner are usually clipped. That means the effective frame size is smaller. Bear in mind that a “safe zone” for mobile and desktop is 1546 × 423 px, so try to design your mobile banner size within these dimensions. This way your banner will look good at full size but still retain clarity when only the center part is shown.

Avoid placing logos, URLs, or taglines near edges, design them closer to the center. That way, even if the side parts are cropped, your core message is preserved.

Explore More YouTube Thumbnail Size Tips 

While the banner sits at the top of your channel, your YouTube Thumbnail size plays a key role in the video grid and search results. A proper thumbnail ensures that viewers will click on your video.

As we’ve mentioned before, the recommended Thumbnail size for YouTube is 1280 × 720 px (aspect ratio 16:9). Remember that Thumbnails must look good on all devices – they often display as 320 × 180 or smaller.

  • To make sure your Thumbnail banner looks good on smaller screens, use bold, readable text and crisp imagery;

  • Keep your Thumbnail visual style consistent with your banner, so your branding is recognizable across the channel;

  • Discover expertly crafted templates that you can easily customize to fit your channel’s unique style. After creating a YouTube thumbnail that you’re happy with, save and reuse the layout for future videos.
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YouTube Video and Post Sizes

Your banner is crucial, but the rest of your channel visuals, including video sizes and posts, should align.

  • The standard YouTube video aspect ratio is also 16:9. A typical upload size is 1920 × 1080 px;

  • Shorts must stay within 1080 × 1920 px (9:16 aspect ratio);

  • If you embed videos and posts or promote on social platforms, maintain consistency in design elements (colors, fonts, overlays) so everything feels part of the same brand identity.

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Why the YouTube Banner Ratio and Dimensions Matter

Getting the YT banner ratio right means your banner won’t look stretched or squeezed on different devices. 16:9 is the prevailing ratio for the full image but because of how YouTube crops or centers the banner depending on screen size, your safe area must remain central.

If you design a banner smaller than 2048 × 1152, YouTube may upscale it, causing blur or stretches of your image. If your graphics or text extend outside the safe zone, they risk being invisible on mobile or tablet screens. For instance, someone using only the mobile YouTube app might never see the far left or right edges of your banner, so your logo or message must remain centered within that 1546 × 423 dimensions.

When you ask “what is the size of YouTube banner”, the short answer is 2048 × 1152 px, but the practical answer is “design with the safe zone in mind, so your key elements survive every crop”.

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FAQ for YouTube Banner Size in 2025

  • What is the correct YouTube banner size in 2025?

    The ideal YT banner size in 2025 is 2048 × 1152 px with a maximum file size of 6 MB. Always keep key visuals within the safe area of 1546 × 423 px to make sure they stay visible on all devices.

  • What ratio should a YouTube banner have?

    A 16:9 aspect ratio is the standard YouTube banner ratio. This format ensures your channel art shows up correctly across desktop, mobile, and tablet screens without stretching or cropping important details.

  • How to make a banner fit mobile and desktop?

    Design your banner on a 2048 × 1152 px canvas, but keep all essential elements centered inside the 1546 × 423 px safe zone. This ensures your banner looks perfect on both mobile and desktop since YouTube automatically crops images for different screen sizes.

  • What’s the best YouTube Thumbnail size?

    The recommended YouTube thumbnail size is 1280 × 720 px with a 16:9 ratio. Use high-resolution images under 2 MB, and ensure your thumbnail looks sharp and clear even when displayed at smaller sizes in search results or recommendations.
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Conclusion

Designing for Youtube banner size in 2025 means balancing the exact dimensions with creativity. While the full size is generous, the true design challenge lies in how your visuals survive cropping and scaling across devices. By respecting the Youtube banner ratio, placing all branding within the safe zone, and previewing across screens, you can create a banner that feels polished and professional.

Combine that with consistent Youtube Thumbnail size choices and aligned video visuals, and your channel will feel like a unified brand experience. Invest the time in getting your banner right: first impressions matter, especially on YouTube.