Changing your Facebook cover layout is a great way to update your profile and showcase your personality. Your Facebook cover photo is the large header image that appears at the top of your profile, so it’s one of the first things people will see when they visit your page. Selecting the right cover layout and image allows you to make a good first impression and represent yourself in a creative way. Fortunately, changing your Facebook cover is a simple process that only takes a few minutes.
What is the Facebook cover layout?
The Facebook cover layout refers to the dimensional size and design of the banner image at the top of your profile. When you upload a cover photo, it gets automatically resized and formatted to fit the standard Facebook cover dimensions of 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall. This creates a rectangular banner that stretches across the top of your page.
You can choose from different layout designs within this standard cover size, like using a horizontal image that fills the entire space, displaying a pattern or color, or splitting it into sections to showcase multiple photos. The layout you select will depend on your personal aesthetic preferences and how you want to use that space to express yourself or promote your interests, business, or brand.
How do I find the cover layout editing tool?
Facebook’s cover layout editor can be accessed directly from your profile page. Just follow these simple steps:
- Go to your profile page and make sure you’re on the top banner area.
- Hover over your cover photo and look for the Camera icon that reads “Update Cover Photo” on desktop or “Edit Cover Photo” on mobile.
- Click on the Camera icon. This will launch the cover layout editing tool.
The editing tool will appear as an overlay over your existing cover photo. Here you’ll have options to upload a new photo, drag and zoom on your current image, rearrange or delete existing elements, and access layout designs.
How do I browse layout designs?
When the cover layout editor is open, click “Layouts” at the bottom to browse different design options. You’ll see a grid of templates to choose from, such as:
- Single photo fill – Fills the entire space with one image.
- Horizontal tiles – Splits into two to five horizontal photo tiles.
- Vertical tiles – Splits into two to five vertical photo tiles.
- Focal point – Centers and zooms in on one focal image.
- Pattern tiles – Fills background with a repeating pattern.
Hover over a layout template to see an example preview. When you find one you like, click “Use This Layout” to apply it to your cover. The new design will appear on your profile immediately.
How do I customize my cover layout?
Once you’ve selected a layout, you can customize it by uploading photos, adjusting zoom and positioning, and adding extra elements. Here are some tips for customizing your Facebook cover layout:
- Upload photos – Click the Upload Photo icon to add images from your computer or Facebook albums to your cover. Drag photos around to position them.
- Adjust zoom – For layouts with a focal photo, use the slider below the photo to adjust zoom level.
- Reposition elements – Click and drag photos or patterns around to your desired position in the layout.
- Remove elements – Click the X icon on any photos to delete them from your cover.
- Add overlays – Select from overlays like colored gradients, patterns, or text to layer over your photos.
Play around with different photo and element arrangements until you have your cover layout looking exactly how you want it. Your customized design will save automatically once you exit the editing tool.
How do I change back to the default single cover photo?
If you want to go back to the regular full cover photo layout, just click “Single Photo” at the bottom of the layout editor. This will remove any extra template elements and go back to a plain 820 x 312 pixel cover image. You can then upload a new photo or adjust the zoom/positioning of your existing cover image.
Tips for creating a great Facebook cover layout
Follow these tips to make the most of your Facebook cover layout:
- Choose high-quality photos – Pick crisp, eye-catching images so your cover looks great on both desktop and mobile.
- Showcase your personality – Decide if you want an informal look with personal photos or a stylized brand image for a business page.
- Rotate images regularly – Change up your cover photo every few months to keep your profile looking fresh.
- Use overlays strategically – Overlays can enhance your images, but don’t overdo it.
- Optimize text for readability – Make sure any text stands out against your background and is big enough to read on smartphones.
- Preview on mobile – After setting your layout, check how it looks on phones to ensure it’s visible.
Taking the time to create an eye-catching and polished Facebook cover layout can really level up your profile. Have fun exploring different options and don’t be afraid to change it regularly to showcase all your best images!
Troubleshooting Facebook cover layouts
If you run into any trouble while trying to change your Facebook cover layout, here are some common issues and solutions:
Cover photo won’t change or upload
- Ensure your photo’s file size is under 100MB and its dimensions are at least 400×150 pixels.
- Crop or resize any extra wide/tall images to fit the 820×312 pixel cover dimensions.
- Double check your internet connectivity and try uploading again.
Cover layout looks pixelated or blurry
- Upload higher resolution photos for the best image quality.
- Avoid extreme zooming and cropping which can degrade image resolution.
- For pattern backgrounds, use properly sized tile images.
Layout doesn’t look right on mobile
- Preview your cover on phones to optimize it for mobile screens.
- Stick to bigger, simpler layouts as details may get lost on smaller displays.
- Make sure key images/text are high-contrast and legible at small sizes.
Can’t find the layout editor
- Make sure you’re in the top cover area of your profile page.
- Hover directly over your cover photo to trigger the edit icon.
- Try reloading your Facebook page or switching browsers if the icon doesn’t appear.
With a little bit of experimentation, you can troubleshoot most Facebook cover layout issues. Just take it slow, preview your changes, and adjust as needed until you get the perfect profile header.
Conclusion
Customizing your Facebook cover layout is an easy way to make your profile stand out. Experiment with different designs, photos, and graphics to find a look that represents your personal style. Just open up the cover editor, browse the layout templates, upload images, rearrange elements, and add overlays until you have a cohesive design. Change it regularly to keep your profile page looking fresh. With a customized cover that shows off your best visuals, you can make a stellar first impression on your Facebook visitors.