When creating a Facebook event cover image, it’s important to design the image according to Facebook’s specifications to ensure that key information is visible across all devices and platforms. The most critical design consideration is the safe area, which is the inner portion of the image that is guaranteed to be seen by all users.
What is the safe area?
The safe area is an inner rectangle that is free from cropping or being obscured by the user interface. When users view your event cover photo on desktop or mobile, parts of the image may be hidden by the event title, date, time, profile photo, etc. Facebook overlays these UI elements on top of the cover photo. The area of the image that is always visible behind the UI elements is considered the safe area.
It’s important to keep the most important information and visual elements, like text, logos, and faces, within the boundaries of the safe area. Anything outside of the safe area may be cropped out depending on the device and platform.
Safe area dimensions
The safe area for Facebook event cover images is a centered rectangle that is 1,120 pixels wide by 630 pixels tall. This means there is 560 pixels of safe space horizontally on the left and right sides, and 315 pixels of safe space vertically on the top and bottom.
Here are the key dimensions:
| Total image width: | 1,680 pixels |
| Total image height: | 1,020 pixels |
| Safe area width: | 1,120 pixels |
| Safe area height: | 630 pixels |
Keeping visual elements within a 1,120 x 630 pixel safe area ensures they will be seen by all users across all devices and platforms.
Why is the safe area important?
Staying within the safe area is crucial for several reasons:
Avoid cropping
On desktop browsers, if the user’s window is narrow, the event cover image may be cropped horizontally. The safe area protects against cropping.
Accommodate different platforms
On mobile devices, the safe area ensures UI elements like the profile photo, date, etc. don’t obstruct important info. Mobile screens tend to be narrower, so the safe area prevents unwanted cropping.
Ensure legibility
Important text and details should be large and legible. Placing text and logos outside the safe area risks making them too small to read.
Highlight key focus
The safe area draws the viewer’s eyes to the main visual focus and message. Objects placed outside of it may be overlooked.
How to design for the safe area
Here are some tips for designing Facebook event cover images with the safe area in mind:
Visualize the safe area
Use design software like Photoshop or Canva to overlay guides that mark the 1,120px x 630px safe area rectangle. This helps visualize what the key focus should be.
Position focal elements inside safe area
Important text, logos, faces, and visuals need to be completely inside the safe area boundaries. This ensures they won’t be obscured or cropped out.
Make text large and legible
Text should be at least 36px tall and utilize high contrast colors so it’s readable within the safe area at small sizes. Avoid thin fonts.
Add minor details outside safe area
Extra flourishes and decorations can extend outside the safe area since they aren’t critical. This creates a layered, expansive look while keeping the core info focused.
Preview on multiple platforms
Check how the image looks on desktop and mobile to make sure key info is clearly visible and legible across all platforms and devices.
Leave breathing room
Don’t cram the safe area with visuals. Leave some negative space around focal points. Having breathing room creates visual hierarchy and draws the eye.
Snap to pixel grid
Enable pixel snapping in your design software. This ensures edges align to the pixel grid and don’t become blurry.
Example safe area layout
Here is an example of how to layout text, logos, and visuals with the safe area in mind:
- Main visuals and focal points are completely inside the safe area boundaries
- Text is large, easy to read, and positioned in the upper safe area
- Logos are unobstructed in the safe area
- Extra flourishes extend outside the safe area
- Breathing room around elements creates clean visual hierarchy
Test on Facebook
When your design is complete, upload it to Facebook and preview how it looks as an event cover image. Verify that key information is clearly visible and not obstructed by the title, date, profile photo, etc. Make any adjustments needed.
Conclusion
Designing Facebook event cover images with the safe area in mind ensures important information is clearly visible across all devices and platforms. Keep key visuals like text, logos, and faces completely within the 1,120 x 630 pixel safe area boundaries. Give focal elements breathing room and make text large and legible. With these safe area design tips, you can create effective Facebook event covers that will represent your brand beautifully.