Twitter/X Header Size Guide (2026)

The Twitter/X header (also called a banner or cover photo) should be 1500x500 pixels with a 3:1 aspect ratio.

Unlike YouTube channel art which has dramatic device differences, Twitter's header is more consistent — but there are still cropping variations between desktop, mobile app, and the web app.

On desktop web: The header displays across the full width of your profile page. Your profile photo overlaps the bottom-left portion.

On mobile: The header is slightly narrower, with the edges cropped. The profile photo sits center-left, overlapping more of the banner than on desktop.

To stay safe, keep all critical content — text, logos, faces — in the center portion of your 1500x500 image, away from the bottom-left where the profile photo sits.

Keep it simple. The header is a background element — your profile photo, name, bio, and pinned tweet are the real focus. The banner should complement, not compete.

Use brand colors consistently. Your header, profile photo, and pinned tweet image should feel like they belong together. This builds instant recognition when people visit your profile.

Update it regularly. Promote your latest project, product launch, event, or content. A stale banner with an outdated date or event is worse than a simple solid-color background.

Avoid small text. Anything you write in the banner must be readable at phone size. If it requires zooming, remove it. Use your bio for detailed information instead.

Your profile photo overlaps the header image, and the exact position differs between platforms:

Desktop web: Profile photo overlaps the bottom-left corner, roughly 10-15% from the left edge and extending from the bottom.

Mobile app: Profile photo is larger relative to the banner and positioned center-left. More of the banner is obscured.

Best practice: Avoid placing any important content in the bottom 30% of the left third of your banner. The safest approach is to center your content both horizontally and vertically, or to place key elements in the right half of the image.

The edges of the banner (roughly 5% on each side) may also be cropped on some mobile displays. Stick to the center ~1264x500 area for guaranteed visibility.

Wrong aspect ratio. If your image isn't 3:1, Twitter will force-crop it. You'll see an awkward crop preview when uploading, but many users skip adjusting it. Start with exactly 1500x500.

Uploading GIFs expecting animation. Twitter headers accept GIF files but display them as static images. The first frame of your GIF is what shows. For animated content, use a pinned tweet instead.

Dark images with dark text. The header area on Twitter often has a dark overlay or shadow gradient. Dark text on dark images becomes invisible. Use white or bright-colored text with a semi-transparent background if needed.

Forgetting about dark mode. Over half of Twitter users use dark mode. Test how your header looks against both light and dark backgrounds. Avoid pure white edges that create a harsh border in dark mode.