Facebook cover photos are the large header images that appear at the top of your profile. They help express your personality and interests. When choosing a cover photo, it’s important to follow Facebook’s guidelines to ensure your photo complies with their policies.
What are the size requirements?
Facebook cover photos must be at least 400 pixels wide and 150 pixels tall. The file size should be under 100 MB. For best quality, Facebook recommends uploading an sRGB JPG file that is 851 pixels wide by 315 pixels tall. This will display crisply on high resolution devices.
Here is a summary of the size requirements:
| Minimum Size | 400 x 150 pixels |
|---|---|
| Recommended Size | 851 x 315 pixels |
| File Format | JPG |
| Color Profile | sRGB |
| Maximum File Size | 100 MB |
Uploading a cover photo that is too small will result in pixelation or blurriness. Using the recommended dimensions ensures your photo will look sharp on all devices.
What content is allowed?
Facebook has rules about what can and cannot be depicted in cover photos. Here are some of the guidelines:
- No nudity or explicit sexual content
- No hate speech, threats or pornographic material
- No graphic violence or gore
- No selling regulated goods
- No infringing on intellectual property rights
Essentially, cover photos need to be appropriate for a diverse audience. Keep it clean and avoid controversial, offensive or illegal content. Some specific things not allowed include images depicting:
- Exposed genitals or butt cracks
- Visible female nipples (unless photos of post-mastectomy scarring or breastfeeding)
- Sex toys or paraphernalia
- Realistic violence or excessive gore
- Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Non-medical pills
- Text with slurs or hate speech
Facebook recommends sticking to personal photos, interests, causes or inspirational imagery that represents who you are.
Can I use text?
You can include text on your Facebook cover photo, but it’s best to limit it. Text should complement the image rather than dominate it. Facebook suggests keeping your name and any text short, clear and readable. Be minimalist with fonts and colors. Overlaying too much text tends to look cluttered.
Can I promote brands and products?
Generally, Facebook cover photos should not be used for commercial purposes like promotions and advertising. But you can feature brands or products you’re affiliated with if they’re organically worked into the image. For example, an athlete could upload a cover photo of themselves wearing sponsored gear. Just don’t make the brand name and logos the dominant focus.
Can I use copyrighted images?
You should only upload cover photos that you own. Using copyrighted images without permission is not allowed. Even memes and other pictures circulating online can be subject to copyright. To be safe, create your own original cover photo or use copyright-free images from sites like Pexels and Pixabay.
How often can I change it?
You can change your Facebook cover photo as often as you like. There is no limit on edits. You might update it regularly to reflect causes you care about, share vacation photos, or match it to different holidays and seasons.
One tip is to avoid changing your cover photo too frequently. Switching it up every day can seem disjointed to your followers. Aim for every few weeks or months instead.
How do I customize the way it displays?
When uploading your cover photo, Facebook gives you options to customize how it displays:
- Reposition: Drag the photo horizontally and vertically to focus on the part you want.
- Zoom: Scale the photo in or out.
- Brightness: Use the slider to adjust the photo brightness up or down.
Take the time to optimize the way your cover photo looks. Zooming in on a specific part rather than using the whole image creates more focus. Adjusting brightness can improve clarity.
How do I upload from desktop?
Uploading from a desktop computer is easy. Just follow these steps:
- Click the camera icon on your cover photo while viewing your profile
- Drag and drop a cover photo file from your computer onto the browser window
- Click “Open” after selecting the desired image
- Position and adjust the photo in the preview window
- Click “Save Changes” to upload it
Supported file types include JPG, PNG, BMP and GIF. Remember to select a high resolution image that meets Facebook’s minimum size requirements.
How do I upload from mobile?
If you want to change your cover photo through the Facebook app on your phone or tablet, here are the steps:
- Tap your current cover photo from your profile
- Tap “Update Cover Photo”
- Choose a photo from your device camera roll or photo albums
- Pinch and zoom on the photo to position it
- Tap “Use” in the top right to save your new cover photo
The process is streamlined for mobile. Just select the desired photo and use pinch gestures to zoom and drag it into place.
How do I delete a cover photo?
If you want to remove your current cover photo and revert back to a blank background, here’s how:
- Click the camera icon on your cover photo from your profile
- Select “Remove Current Cover”
- Confirm removal in the pop-up window
Your cover photo will be deleted. You’ll see a plain background based on the preset Facebook theme or custom theme you’re using.
Can I report inappropriate cover photos?
If you see a Facebook cover photo that violates the rules, you can report it to Facebook by following these steps:
- Click the three dots “…” icon in the top right corner of the cover photo
- Select “Report Photo” from the dropdown menu
- Choose the reason for reporting from the options
- Add any extra context about why you’re reporting in the text box
- Click “Submit” to send the report for review
Facebook moderators will review the reported cover photo and remove it if it breaks their Community Standards policies. Reporting helps keep Facebook safe and respectful for everyone.
Conclusion
Facebook cover photos let you express yourself creatively within the platform’s rules. Optimize your cover image by using high resolution JPGs at the recommended 851 x 315 pixel size. Customize the positioning and zoom to focus on key elements. Change your cover photo regularly, but don’t overdo it. Avoid cover images with nudity, violence or offensive content. With the right photo that represents your personality and interests, your Facebook profile will stand out while following the guidelines.