When designing a Facebook header image, one of the most important considerations is what size to crop it to. With Facebook’s responsive design, headers display differently across platforms and devices. Choosing the right header size ensures your image looks great no matter where it’s viewed.
What are the Facebook header size requirements?
Facebook provides recommended header sizes to accommodate different platforms:
- Desktop header: 820 x 312 pixels
- Mobile header: 640 x 360 pixels
- Minimum header size: 399 x 150 pixels
These are the optimum sizes for each format. The minimum size ensures your image meets Facebook’s header standards no matter how it’s displayed.
How does Facebook’s responsive design work?
Facebook automatically scales and crops headers to fit different platforms. This is how it works:
- On desktop, Facebook displays the full 820 x 312 pixel header.
- On mobile, Facebook crops the header to 640 x 360 pixels to better fit the screen.
- On small screens like watches, Facebook may further crop the header, but it will never go smaller than 399 x 150 pixels.
In other words, desktop users see the full image, mobile users see a cropped center portion, and smaller screens see a cropped zoomed-in portion.
How should I design my header for responsive display?
To optimize your header for responsive design:
- Create header at 820 x 312 pixels – this ensures top quality on desktop.
- Keep key focus areas within 640 x 360 pixels – this will be the viewable area on mobile.
- Make sure vital imagery is visible within 399 x 150 pixels – the minimum viewable size.
Placing important visuals strategically within these guidelines will make your header look great at every size. Avoid putting critical elements near the edges where they may be cropped out.
What’s the best way to check my header across platforms?
Previewing your header is easy using Facebook’s Business Suite tool:
- Upload your 820 x 312 pixel header image.
- Facebook will automatically generate cropped versions for mobile and smaller screens.
- Toggle between Desktop, Mobile, and Minimum to preview how your header will look.
- Adjust your design as needed until satisfied with all views.
Checking your header this way ensures a responsive design optimized for all users and devices.
Should I include text in my Facebook header?
We don’t recommend including text in headers, for two reasons:
- Cropping may cut off text – Since headers are cropped to smaller sizes, text can easily get removed on mobile or smaller screens.
- Text is hard to read – Headers appear behind your profile photo and cover text, making embedded text difficult to read.
Instead, use your profile and cover photos to add text. This keeps it visible as intended across all platforms.
What image formats can I use?
Facebook supports both JPG and PNG file formats for headers. We recommend JPG for most images with photographic elements. PNG is better for graphics with flat colors, logos, or transparent backgrounds.
For optimum image quality, export your header as a high-resolution JPG or PNG. Facebook will compress files over 100KB, so keeping it under that size ensures crisper display.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some best practices for designing a great Facebook header:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| – Create header at 820 x 312 pixels | – Use text only headers |
| – Focus visuals within 640 x 360 pixel range | – Put important imagery near edges |
| – Preview header across platforms | – Use low resolution images |
| – Use JPG for photos, PNG for graphics | – Go under 399 x 150 minimum size |
| – Keep file under 100KB | – Forget to preview before publishing |
Cropping tips for common header subjects
How you crop your image also matters. Here are tips for cropping based on common header themes:
Nature landscapes
– Crop horizontally to highlight sweeping vistas
– Include foreground elements like trees, rocks or water
Urban cityscapes
– Crop vertically to emphasize tall buildings
– Shoot wide to capture full skylines
Portraits
– Get close and crop to focus on faces
– Position near left third to allow space for profile photo
Products
– Hero-style branding crop with product in foreground
– Flat lay style with clean negative space
Text/graphics
– Center align elements within safe viewing area
– Include margins to allow space for profile and cover overlays
Optimizing headers for specific pages
You can also tailor headers for different Facebook pages. Optimize your header crop and content for each:
| Page Type | Ideal Header Style |
|---|---|
| Personal profile | – Portrait or landscape reflecting your personality |
| Business brand page | – Logo, product, team or location depicting brand |
| Restaurant | – Food, interior or exterior ambiance shot |
| Retail store | – Product display or store entrance inviting customers |
| Local agency | – Recognizable building or city/town landmark |
Customizing your header for each page helps reinforce what your brand, business or profile is all about.
Conclusion
Optimizing your Facebook header size and crop is crucial for great responsive display across platforms. Follow the best practices for dimensions, design, composition and formatting covered here to make your header look its best on desktop, mobile and anywhere users see it.