Twitter (X) Cover Photo Size

By Peter Assentorp

Welcome to SocialSizes.io - Image and Video Sizes for Social Media. We have all social media sizes for the most popular social networks.

If you're looking for the perfect Twitter cover photo size (also known as header image or header photo) that displays perfectly on your Twitter/X profile - you're in the right place. The Twitter cover photo is the large banner image at the top of your profile and is a great way to showcase your personality, brand, or what you're currently focused on. It's one of the first things people see when they visit your profile. Here are the correct dimensions to use for the Twitter cover photo size.

Cover Photo

Image

1200 × 400

Min. 600 x 200

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What if a size changes?

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What should I know about the Twitter cover photo size?

The Twitter cover photo displays at 1200 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall on Twitter (X). The minimum size is 600 x 200 pixels, but using the full 1200 x 400 resolution ensures your header image looks sharp on all devices, including high-resolution displays.

One important thing to note is that your profile picture overlaps the bottom left corner of your cover photo. When designing your header image, keep this in mind and avoid placing important content in that area, as it will be partially covered by your circular profile picture.

What is the best size for Twitter cover photo?

You should always upload at 1200 x 400 pixels as this will give the best result. This 3:1 aspect ratio is what Twitter recommends for optimal quality across all devices. Using this size ensures your header photo looks professional whether viewed on desktop, tablet, or mobile.

A good way to check everything before you publish is to preview how your cover photo looks with your profile picture in place. You can use a design tool to place a circle in the bottom left corner to visualize what will be covered. This helps ensure no important elements are hidden behind your profile picture.

How do I create a Twitter cover photo?

There are many different great tools out there that you can use to create your Twitter cover photo. Some of the most popular to use are:

• Canva - Easy to use with Twitter header templates
• Photoshop - Professional editing and design
• Figma - Great for creating reusable templates
• Illustrator - Perfect for vector-based designs
• GIMP - Free Photoshop alternative
• Adobe Spark - Simple header creation
• Snappa - Quick design tool

Some of this software can be quite expensive to use. If you are looking for a free alternative you can use our 100% Free Social Image Maker to create all assets for your social media channels. This image maker already has the Twitter cover photo size available out of the box, so you don't have to go look up the size to get started. It's easy to use and gets updates and improvements quite often.

Recommendations for the Twitter cover photo

Your Twitter cover photo is valuable real estate for expressing your brand, personality, or current focus. Many users change their header image seasonally or to promote current projects. Here are some tips for creating an effective cover photo:

• Use high-quality images that represent you or your brand
• Avoid placing important content in the bottom left corner (profile picture overlap)
• Keep text large and easy to read
• Use colors that complement your profile picture
• Consider using it to promote your latest project or interest
• Maintain brand consistency if you're a business
• Test how it looks on both desktop and mobile
• File size should be under 5MB

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What's the profile picture overlap area?

On Twitter, your circular profile picture overlaps the bottom left corner of your header image. The profile picture is 200 x 200 pixels and sits approximately 24 pixels from the left edge and 24 pixels from the bottom edge of your cover photo. This creates a roughly 200 x 200 pixel area in the bottom left that will be partially or fully covered.

When designing your Twitter header, either avoid this area entirely or use it strategically. Some designers create cover photos that complement the profile picture placement, such as having a person in the profile picture appearing to interact with elements in the header image.

How do I upload a Twitter cover photo?

To upload or change your Twitter header image:

1. Go to your Twitter profile page
2. Click the camera icon in the center of your current header (or where your header would be)
3. Select "Choose existing photo" to upload a new image
4. Upload your 1200 x 400 pixel image (under 5MB in JPG, PNG, or GIF format)
5. Drag to reposition if needed
6. Click "Apply" to save your changes

What should I include in my Twitter cover photo?

Your Twitter header image is flexible and can be updated as often as you like. Many users change their header to reflect current interests, promote new projects, or celebrate seasons and holidays. For personal accounts, your header might showcase your hobbies, interests, or a beautiful photo. For businesses, it's often used to promote products, services, or campaigns.

Some people include text with their website, tagline, or current focus. Others prefer purely visual designs. There's no right or wrong approach - use the space in whatever way best represents you or your brand at this moment. Just remember that unlike your profile picture, which should remain consistent, your header can change frequently.

Can I use the same image for Twitter and X?

Yes! Twitter was rebranded to X in 2023, but the platform dimensions and functionality remain the same. Whether you refer to it as Twitter or X, the cover photo size is still 1200 x 400 pixels. Any image you create for Twitter will work on X, and vice versa. The platform may have a new name and logo, but the technical specifications haven't changed.

Does the Twitter cover photo size matter?

Short answer, yes it does! Using the wrong size can result in your image being stretched, compressed, or having important elements cropped out. Twitter also compresses images that are too large, which can result in quality loss. Using the correct 1200 x 400 pixel dimensions ensures your header looks exactly as you intended.

Using our premade templates that you can download from the frontpage ensures you start with the correct dimensions. Just open the template, add your content, export as JPG or PNG, and upload. Everything should fit perfectly.

What if the size changes?

Want to be updated about changes to the Twitter cover photo size? Then subscribe to updates at the top of the page. Put in your email and click the "Get notified" button. Then you will know exactly when the size changes.

If the dimensions of the Twitter cover photo were to change, it would be important to ensure that your header image is properly resized to fit the new dimensions. To avoid this, it would be a good idea to periodically check the dimensions and ensure your cover photo is properly sized to fit.