YouTube is the world's largest video-sharing platform with over 2 billion logged-in users every month.
It's where creators build their audience, share their content, and establish their brand identity across the globe.
Your YouTube channel banner (also known as your channel art, background image, or header image) is the first thing visitors see when they land on your channel—making it crucial to get the size, dimensions, and measurements right for maximum impact.
Why Your YouTube Channel Art Matters
Your YouTube banner (or channel art) is prime real estate on your channel. This background image is displayed prominently at the top of your channel page and takes up significant visual space.
A well-designed channel banner immediately communicates your content niche, upload schedule, or brand message. It sets the tone for your entire channel before visitors even watch your first video.
Viewers and potential subscribers form first impressions in seconds. A professional, properly-sized banner shows attention to detail and demonstrates that you take your channel seriously.
On the other hand, a blurry, pixelated, or incorrectly cropped banner can undermine your credibility and make your channel appear unprofessional or neglected.
The Right YouTube Banner Size & Dimensions
YouTube recommends uploading channel art with exact dimensions of 2560 x 1440 pixels. This is the optimal banner size and measurement that displays perfectly across all devices—desktop, tablet, mobile, and TV.
The aspect ratio for your YouTube header is 16:9, which means your background image follows a widescreen format. This horizontal layout gives you plenty of room to display your message, logo, or visual branding elements.
YouTube Channel Art File Requirements
YouTube accepts JPG and PNG formats for your background image, and your file must not exceed 6 MB. PNG is preferred if your channel art design includes text or sharp graphics, as it maintains better quality without compression artifacts.
Safe Zone & Measurement Guidelines
YouTube displays your banner differently across devices. The safe area for important content is 1546 x 423 pixels in the center. Keep all text, logos, and critical elements within this zone to ensure they're visible on all screens.
On desktop, the visible area is 2560 x 423 pixels. On tablet, it's 1855 x 423 pixels. On mobile, only 1546 x 423 pixels are shown. TV displays show the full 2560 x 1440 pixels.
Always preview your channel art using YouTube's built-in preview tool before publishing to ensure it looks great on all devices. What looks perfect on desktop might have important elements cut off on mobile.