YouTube Banner Size: Channel Art Dimensions and Safe Area
Use a 2560 x 1440 pixel 16:9 canvas for YouTube channel art, then keep the channel name, tagline, logo, and important details inside the centered 1546 x 423 safe area so they survive mobile, desktop, and TV crops.
Last checked: June 26, 2026. Use this as a production guide and verify final upload requirements in YouTube Help or YouTube Studio.
Recommended canvas
2560 x 1440 px
Minimum upload canvas
2048 x 1152 px
Safe area
1546 x 423 px
Aspect ratio
16:9
Quick answer
Create YouTube channel art on a 2560 x 1440 pixel 16:9 canvas. Keep important content inside the 1546 x 423 safe area, because the full canvas is mainly useful for large TV display while desktop and mobile crop the sides or vertical space.
Preview the YouTube banner safe area
Upload a channel banner and check whether text, logos, and calls to action sit inside the 1546 x 423 safe area on a 2560 x 1440 canvas. The image is previewed locally in your browser.
Upload a 2560 x 1440 banner or download the template.
YouTube banner size specs
| Field | Value | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended canvas | 2560 x 1440 px | Common full banner canvas used for TV, desktop, and mobile workflows |
| Minimum upload canvas | 2048 x 1152 px | Use a larger 16:9 canvas when possible |
| Safe area | 1546 x 423 px | Keep important text, logos, and calls to action inside this centered area |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | Keeps the banner aligned across device crops |
| File size | 6 MB | Compress carefully if YouTube Studio rejects the file |
How device cropping works
YouTube banner artwork is a single wide image, but the visible region changes by device. TV can show more of the full canvas, while desktop and mobile often emphasize a narrow center slice. Put identity elements in the center and treat the outer canvas as background.
Device crop planning table
Use the full 2560 x 1440 canvas for background and texture. Put the channel name, logo, tagline, upload schedule, and any call to action inside the 1546 x 423 safe area.
| Area | Size | Use it for | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full canvas | 2560 x 1440 | Background image, color, texture, non-critical artwork | Putting important text near the edges |
| Safe area | 1546 x 423 | Channel name, logo, tagline, text, upload promise | Small type or crowded layouts |
| Minimum canvas | 2048 x 1152 | Fallback upload canvas when 2560 x 1440 is not available | Designing at a smaller non-16:9 size |
| Export limit | 6 MB | Final JPG or PNG upload | Over-compressing text-heavy banners |
YouTube banner size FAQ
What is the best YouTube banner size?
Use a 2560 x 1440 pixel 16:9 canvas as the working size, then keep important text and logos inside the 1546 x 423 center safe area because different devices crop the outer edges.
What is the YouTube banner safe area size?
Use 1546 x 423 pixels as the centered safe area for text and logos on a 2560 x 1440 YouTube banner canvas.
Why does my YouTube banner get cropped?
YouTube shows the same banner differently on TV, desktop, tablet, and mobile. If text or logos are near the top, bottom, or side edges, they can be cropped.
Is YouTube banner size the same as channel art size?
Yes. Many creators use YouTube banner, channel art, and channel header to mean the same wide image at the top of a YouTube channel.
Should I design the banner in Canva or Photoshop?
Either works. Start with a 2560 x 1440 canvas, add a center safe-area guide, keep text centered, and export a clean JPG or PNG.