Yes, Facebook cover photos are required to have a 16:9 aspect ratio. This means the width of the photo must be exactly 1.78 times the height. So for a standard 820 pixel wide cover photo, the height must be 820 / 1.78 = 460 pixels.
Why Does Facebook Require 16:9 Aspect Ratio?
There are a few reasons why Facebook standardized on 16:9 for cover photos:
- Consistency – By requiring all users to upload 16:9 images, all cover photos have the same shape and display correctly across different devices and screen sizes.
- Cinematic dimensions – 16:9 has become the standard widescreen aspect ratio, used for HD television and most online video. It provides a cinematic, immersive look.
- Mobile friendly – 16:9 displays well on mobile devices in both portrait and landscape orientation. Non-widescreen images would appear letterboxed on mobile.
- Flexibility – 16:9 strikes a balance, allowing the photo to highlight both landscape/outdoor scenery as well as portrait/people shots.
Standardizing on 16:9 aspect ratio ensures all cover photos have a consistent look and feel across Facebook profiles. It also optimizes the images for modern displays while providing an immersive, cinematic experience.
Cover Photo Dimensions
The standard Facebook cover photo size is:
- Width: 820 pixels
- Height: 460 pixels
This produces an image with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. However, Facebook does allow slightly smaller or larger images to be uploaded:
| Minimum size | Maximum size |
|---|---|
| 720 x 405 pixels | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
Any image between 720 x 405 and 1920 x 1080 pixels will work, but will be scaled and cropped to 820 x 460 pixels on the profile. Therefore it’s best to upload an image at the exact 820 x 460 size.
Creating a 16:9 Cover Photo
To create a custom 16:9 cover photo:
- Open an image editing program like Photoshop, GIMP, or Canva.
- Create a new 820 x 460 pixel canvas.
- Design your cover photo artwork on this canvas.
- Save or export the completed image as JPG or PNG.
- Upload the 16:9 image to Facebook as your new cover photo.
If you need to resize or crop an existing image:
- Open the image in an editing program.
- Scale and crop it to 820 pixels wide by 460 pixels tall.
- Drag and reposition to frame the subject matter as desired.
- Export resized image as JPG or PNG.
- Upload the 16:9 cover photo to Facebook.
Some tips when designing Facebook cover photos:
- Use high resolution images for best quality.
- Pick visually engaging color palettes and lighting.
- Frame key subject matter in the middle of the image.
- Add graphics, logos, or text to personalize.
- Enhance with filters to stand out in the news feed.
Creating custom 16:9 Facebook covers is easy with a few simple steps. The result is an eye-catching header to profile that looks great on all devices.
Troubleshooting 16:9 Covers
Here are some common issues and fixes for 16:9 Facebook cover photos:
Stretching/Distortion
Upload an image that is already 820 x 460 pixels in size rather than trying to resize or skew a photo with different proportions.
Pixelation
Save cover images at high resolution (100+ DPI) and minimum 2500 pixels wide. Lower resolution images will look pixelated.
Blurriness
Export cover photos as JPG at high quality setting (80-90% quality). Lower JPG compression levels can create blurring and artifacts.
Edge Cropping
Important subject matter should be framed in the center of the 16:9 photo to avoid cropping on the edges when displayed.
Wrong Orientation
Flip or rotate the image before uploading as needed so the subject appears upright.
Visible Pixels
Resize to exact 820 x 460 pixels. Non-16:9 images get upscaled and pixels are visible. Zoom to 100% before exporting to check.
Testing the cover photo after uploading and addressing any issues will ensure it appears correctly in the news feed and profiles. With attention to sizing, framing, resolution, and format, you can create stunning 16:9 covers that make a great profile statement.
Customizing Your Cover Photo
In addition to uploading a 16:9 cover image, you can further customize the look:
Repositioning
Drag the photo vertically and horizontally after uploading to frame the key focus area.
Color Tint
Click the pencil icon to access color tint and gradient overlays.
Blur Effect
Choose radial or linear blurring effects to artistically enhance the cover photo.
Pan/Zoom Animation
Add customized movement to draw attention and bring scenes to life.
Take advantage of these tools to creatively highlight special elements within your high-quality 16:9 cover photo.
Ideal Cover Photo Types
What makes an effective 16:9 Facebook cover? Some great options include:
Landscapes
Breathtaking outdoor scenery and nature photos work perfectly in widescreen format.
Cityscapes
Iconic architecture and skylines look amazing in 16:9 dimensions.
Portraits
Portrait shots of people, pets, or objects can make unique cover photos.
Art & Design
Display visually striking drawings, digital artwork, or graphic design pieces.
Interests & Hobbies
Share sports, activities, favorite foods, or other lifestyle interests.
Branding & Promotion
Add company logos, products, or customized graphics to reinforce branding.
The 16:9 cover photo is valuable profile real estate. Take advantage by sharing high quality, visually engaging images that tell your story and make a statement.
Coordinating with Profile Picture
For a cohesive look, coordinate your Facebook cover and profile picture:
- Use similar color schemes and filters on both photos.
- Repeat design elements or compositional techniques.
- Maintain consistent mood, tone and style.
- Use same subjects, outfits, or backgrounds.
- Align profile pic location with cover photo layout.
A coordinated aesthetic makes your profile polished and put together. But don’t be afraid to sometimes mismatch and change it up too!
Updating Your Cover Frequently
Consider changing your Facebook cover photo regularly to:
- Highlight new interests, hobbies, and milestones
- Promote events, causes, and timely subjects
- Drive engagement and likes as followers interact with updates
- Prevent cover fatigue if the current image has been up for a while
- Showcase your evolving aesthetic and design capabilities
But don’t change it too often or else it looks disjointed. Aim for updating every 2-3 months or so, with occasional exceptions for major events you want to feature.
Tools to Create Covers
You can easily design high quality 16:9 Facebook covers using various free and paid tools:
Canva
Intuitive graphic design platform with cover photo templates.
BeFunky
Online photo editor with photo collage features to layer images.
PicMonkey
Provides photo editing and effects to enhance images.
Snapseed
Mobile app for precision photo editing and optimization.
Adobe Photoshop
Industry leading photo and image manipulation software.
Adobe Illustrator
Vector graphics editor ideal for illustrated or graphic covers.
GIMP
Free open-source photo editing program similar to Photoshop.
Try out a variety of apps and tools to find the best workflow for easily creating stunning 16:9 Facebook covers.
Cover Photo Ideas and Inspiration
Need fresh ideas or creative inspiration for your Facebook cover photo? Consider these approaches:
- Search sites like Pinterest or Dribbble for cover photo inspiration
- Browse Facebook profiles of friends, family, celebrities, brands or influencers you admire
- Reminisce over your camera roll and social feeds to rediscover great shots
- Take new photos specifically intended just for your cover photo
- Use Canva’s cover photo templates and add your own flair
- Revisit previous cover photos you’ve used and give them a new spin or update
- Collaborate with a photographer or designer to create covers customized just for you
Don’t overthink it but do take time periodically reviewing possible cover images to inspire your next design. A cover photo update is a great way to keep your profile looking fresh!
Conclusion
Facebook cover photos are a key element of your profile. By following the required 16:9 aspect ratio, uploading high quality images, and customizing the look, you can make a cover that uniquely expresses your story. With a stunning cover photo that coordinates with your profile picture, you can put your best face forward on Facebook.