Twitter Header Size 2026: X Banner Dimensions and Safe Zone
September 29, 2026 · 5 min read · By Wavnil
Key takeaways
- X recommends a 1500 × 500 pixel header (3:1) and a 400 × 400 pixel profile photo.
- Depending on the screen and browser, up to 60 pixels can be cropped at the top and bottom of the header: keep text in the middle band.
- Profile photos must be JPEG, GIF or PNG files of 2 MB or less; photos in posts can weigh up to 5 MB.
- A single photo with a ratio between 2:1 and 3:4 displays in full, and videos can last up to 140 seconds (512 MB) without Premium.
The recommended X (Twitter) header size is 1500 × 500 pixels, a 3:1 ratio, and the profile photo should be 400 × 400 pixels. Both figures come from X's Help Center, which also warns that up to 60 pixels at the top and bottom of the header can be cropped, depending on the screen.
X calls it the header image and most people still call it a Twitter banner, but the specs haven't changed with the rebrand. Here's how to design it so nothing important gets cut, plus the sizes for your profile photo, post images and videos, checked on September 29, 2026.
X (Twitter) image sizes at a glance
| Image | Recommended size | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Header (banner) | 1500 × 500 px, 3:1 | JPEG, GIF or PNG; up to 60 px cropped at the top and bottom |
| Profile photo | 400 × 400 px, 1:1 | JPEG, GIF or PNG, 2 MB maximum |
| Photo in a post | Any ratio from 2:1 to 3:4 shows in full | JPEG or PNG, 5 MB maximum; up to 4 media items per post |
| GIF in a post | — | 5 MB on mobile, 15 MB on the web |
| Video in a post | Up to 1920 × 1200 (or 1200 × 1900) on the web | 140 seconds and 512 MB without Premium |
Sources: X Help Center pages on profile photos, photos and GIFs and videos, checked on September 29, 2026.
Twitter header size and safe zone
The header is a wide 3:1 strip: 1500 pixels across, 500 pixels tall. Even at the recommended size, X explains that parts of it can be cropped depending on the monitor size and the browser, up to 60 pixels at the top and bottom. That leaves a safe band of about 1500 × 380 pixels in the middle (our calculation).
Your profile photo adds a second constraint: on your profile page, it overlaps the lower-left part of the header. So:
- Keep text and logos in the middle band, away from the top and bottom 60 pixels.
- Leave the lower-left corner to the background.
- Put any message in the center or on the right, the areas that are never covered.
- Check both views: a large desktop window and the mobile app, where the header is much smaller, so text must stay large.
X profile photo size
Use a square image of 400 × 400 pixels, as a JPEG, GIF or PNG of 2 MB or less. The photo appears small everywhere, from the timeline to replies, so a simple logo or a well-lit face works best. Keep a margin around the subject, since the image is usually shown as a circle.
Image and video sizes for X posts
Your header is seen once per profile visit; your post images are seen in every timeline. X's Help Center gives these rules:
- Up to four media items per post, which can mix photos, a GIF and a video (for example 2 photos, 1 GIF and 1 video).
- Photos: JPEG or PNG, up to 5 MB. When you post a single photo with a ratio between 2:1 and 3:4, it displays in full, without cropping: a 16:9 image (1600 × 900) and a 3:4 portrait (1080 × 1440) both work.
- GIFs: up to 5 MB on mobile and 15 MB on the web.
- Videos: up to 140 seconds and 512 MB without Premium. On the web, videos can be up to 1920 × 1200 pixels (or 1200 × 1900 vertical), with a ratio between 1:2.39 and 2.39:1, and at most 40 fps and 25 Mbps. Premium subscribers can upload much longer videos.
For text, posts are capped at 280 characters, or 25,000 with Premium: see all the social media character limits, or check yours with our character counter. Want a different style for your name or bio? Try our Twitter fonts generator.
How to change your header on X
- On x.com or in the X app, go to your profile and select Edit profile.
- Select the camera icon on the header area and choose your 1500 × 500 image.
- Adjust the position if needed, then select Apply and Save.
X's Help Center reminds you that the image isn't saved until you select Apply.
Header and banner sizes on other networks
| Network | Banner size | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| X (Twitter) | 1500 × 500 px | This guide |
| LinkedIn profile | 1584 × 396 px | LinkedIn banner size |
| YouTube channel | 2560 × 1440 px | YouTube banner size |
| Facebook Page | 851 × 315 px | Facebook cover photo size |
Each network crops differently, so design every banner on its own canvas instead of resizing one image.
Your X header checklist
Design at 1500 × 500, keep text in the middle band and away from the lower left, export a JPEG or PNG, and select Apply before saving. Then give visitors a reason to follow: plan your posts, schedule them on X and publish at the best times to post on X. Try Wavnil free for 7 days.
Sources
Checked on September 29, 2026:
- X Help Center, Help with uploading a profile photo.
- X Help Center, How to post photos or GIFs on X.
- X Help Center, How to share and watch videos on X.
- X Help Center, How to post and About X Premium.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Twitter (X) header?
X recommends 1500 × 500 pixels, a 3:1 ratio, in JPEG, GIF or PNG. Because up to 60 pixels can be cropped at the top and bottom on some screens, keep text and logos in the central band, and leave the lower-left area clear, where your profile photo overlaps the header.
Why is my Twitter header cropped?
X displays the header differently depending on the monitor and the browser, and its Help Center warns that up to 60 pixels can be cropped at the top and bottom. On your profile, the profile photo also covers part of the lower-left corner. Keep important elements in the middle band of the image.
What size should a Twitter profile picture be?
400 × 400 pixels, as a JPEG, GIF or PNG file of 2 MB or less. It's shown small and usually as a circle, so center your face or logo with some margin around it, and keep the design simple enough to read at a glance.
What is the best image size for X posts?
For a single photo, any ratio between 2:1 and 3:4 displays in full, so 1600 × 900 (16:9), 1080 × 1080 (1:1) or 1080 × 1440 (3:4) all work. Photos can weigh up to 5 MB in JPEG or PNG, and you can attach up to four media items per post.