Making a Facebook cover photo in Photoshop is easy with the right steps. The cover photo size needs to be 820 pixels wide by 312 pixels tall to fit the desktop layout. For mobile, the dimensions are 640 pixels wide by 360 pixels tall. Follow these instructions to create a custom Facebook cover photo in Photoshop that looks amazing on desktop and mobile.
Requirements for a Facebook Cover Photo
Here are the key requirements to keep in mind when making a Facebook cover photo in Photoshop:
- Dimensions for desktop are 820 pixels wide x 312 pixels tall
- Dimensions for mobile are 640 pixels wide x 360 pixels tall
- The file size should be less than 100 KB
- The cover photo should use RGB color mode
- Your whole message or branding should be visible without cropping on various device sizes
If you design the photo at the proper dimensions from the start, it will fit Facebook’s layouts perfectly. The colors need to be RGB since Facebook does not support CMYK or spot colors. Keeping the file under 100 KB ensures it will upload quickly. With those specs in mind, let’s move on to designing in Photoshop.
Step 1: Create a New Photoshop File
Open Photoshop and go to File > New. Make sure the width is set to 820 pixels, the height to 312 pixels, resolution at 72 ppi, and RGB color. 820 x 312 pixels meets Facebook’s current desktop cover photo dimensions. You can always resize the image smaller later for the mobile layout.
Setting up dimensions in Photoshop
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Width | 820 pixels |
| Height | 312 pixels |
| Resolution | 72 ppi |
| Color Mode | RGB Color |
With a new file started at 820 x 312 pixels, you are ready to design your cover photo.
Step 2: Add Graphics, Logos, and Text
Now the fun begins! Add your graphics, logos, photos and text like you would any design. Some tips for creating engaging Facebook cover photos:
- Use high resolution graphics for sharpness on retina displays
- Make text large enough to read at smaller scales
- Add your logo or branding for recognition
- Use 2-3 dominant colors for visual cohesion
- Include faces, products, or striking scenes to grab attention
- Overlay some text on images for contrast
Keep in mind the most important desktop content should be in the left 640 pixels. This is the part that always shows first. Place secondary imagery and text further right in the composition.
Positioning elements in the composition
| Layout Area | Recommended Content |
|---|---|
| Left 640 pixels | Most important text, logos, and visuals |
| Right 180 pixels | Secondary graphics and text |
Use shapes, gradients, and techniques like the rule of thirds to divide up the frame. This creates visual interest and directs the viewer’s eyes across the composition. Adjust colors as needed in the Hue/Saturation panel.
Step 3: Save for Web
Once your design is complete, go to File > Export > Save for Web. Make sure file type is JPEG and the quality setting is 60-80 (lower means smaller file size). Name your cover photo and save it. Photoshop will optimize the JPEG compression so the file size stays under 100 KB.
Export settings for Facebook cover photos
| File Type | JPEG |
| Quality | 60-80 |
Before uploading to Facebook, double check the file size is less than 100 KB. If it’s larger, go back and lower the quality setting or try optimizing in a tool like ImageOptim.
Step 4: Resize for Mobile
Facebook recommends resizing your desktop cover photo design to the mobile dimensions too. This ensures it looks great on smartphones and tablets.
To resize, go back to the original PSD and make a copy. Go to Image > Image Size, change width to 640 pixels, height to 360 pixels, and hit enter. Then export this smaller version just like before.
Mobile dimensions
| Layout | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Mobile | 640 x 360 pixels |
The mobile cover photo should also be under 100 KB when you export and optimize for web. Having this separate file means your high resolution desktop version doesn’t get shrunk down and become blurry on small screens.
Conclusion
Making awesome Facebook cover photos in Photoshop is easy once you know the right steps. Just start your file at the desktop dimensions of 820 x 312 pixels. Add graphics, logos, text and visual interest through the rule of thirds. Save for web at 60-80 quality to keep the file size under 100 KB. Then make a copy resized to the mobile dimensions of 640 x 360 pixels. Now you have a professional Facebook cover ready to drive engagement on any device!