Facebook cover photo size: the 2026 spec and a clean workflow
Facebook cover photos are deceptively tricky. The 851×315 desktop view is what Facebook officially recommends, but mobile crops aggressively from both sides, and the 2026 timeline redesign shifts the focal point further inward. This guide shows exactly what to design for and how to produce a safe-area version that looks intentional on every device.
Why Facebook cover photo is 851×315 pixels
The 851×315 dimension is the minimum safe render size on a desktop feed. Facebook U at 824×312 in some regions, with 851×315 covering both US and EU layouts. Anything smaller renders blurry when the cover expands on profile visits; anything larger wastes storage.
The aspect ratio is approximately 2.7:1, much wider than a banner or letterbox. Cover photos that try to fit "important content" in the top or bottom 20% will be invisible on mobile, since the timeline mobile view crops the top and bottom aggressively.
The "safe zone" most people miss
Facebook mobile crops the cover photo to roughly 640×335 centered, with the top 70 pixels and bottom 50 pixels often cut off depending on phone aspect ratio. The right side gets cropped roughly 50 pixels on the smallest supported devices. This means a 851×315 image should keep all critical content inside a centered 700×250 zone — and absolutely nothing important in the corners.
Recommended safe-area for 2026:
- Center horizontal: 851 pixels (full width)
- Safe vertical center: 200 pixels (the middle band)
- Top and bottom 20%: safe to leave empty or use as decorative space
- Right 100 pixels: avoid placing text or faces here
Format, size, and content rules
- Recommended size: 851×315 pixels
- Minimum size: 400×150 pixels
- Maximum file size: 8 MB (PNG), 100 KB (GIF)
- Formats: JPEG and PNG (PNG for transparency), animated GIF for businesses
- Aspect ratio: 2.7:1 exactly — Facebook auto-resizes but crops if your ratio is off
What works and what doesn't
Cover photos that work well: brand logos or wordmarks in the safe center, product hero imagery with breathing room, lifestyle photography with intentional negative space at top and bottom.
Cover photos that look broken on mobile: text at the very top ("OUR LATEST SALE"), faces placed in the right edge, hero text that runs full-width across the entire image.
Common mistakes
-
li>Using a 16:9 image (1920×1080): Letterboxed with white bars or auto-cropped to a sliver.
- Placing your logo in a corner: It's gone on the first phone tap.
- Designing for desktop only: 70%+ of Facebook traffic is mobile.
- Updating cover photo without preview: Always check how it looks in the Facebook app on a phone before publishing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 1920×1080 instead? Yes, but Facebook will downscale it. The 851×315 export is what Facebook actually uses for the desktop render.
Do personal profiles need a different size? Same dimensions apply. Groups and Events have different specs (1920×1005 for Events).
Why does my image look blurry? You're uploading below 851×315 and Facebook is upscaling.