For a Facebook Page cover, Meta says an 851 × 315 pixel sRGB JPG under 100 KB loads fastest. The Page minimum is 400 × 150 pixels. Personal profile covers have a separate minimum of 720 pixels wide. These figures describe different requirements, so choose the destination before setting your crop.
Facebook cover photo dimensions and what they mean
The Page figures below come from Meta’s Page profile picture and cover photo documentation. Personal profile instructions are separate in Meta’s guide to adding or changing a cover photo. Keep the destination attached to each number when saving a design preset.
| Cover or setting | Official figure | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Page cover minimum | 400 × 150 pixels | Minimum width and height, not the sharpest export target |
| Page cover fastest-loading file | 851 × 315 pixels | sRGB JPG below 100 KB |
| Personal profile cover minimum | 720 pixels wide | A width minimum, not a complete width-and-height recommendation |
| Cover containing text or a logo | PNG may give a better result | Compare visual quality with the JPG version |
Do not confuse an upload target with a display size
The 851 × 315 figure is attached to Meta’s fastest-loading file recommendation. It should not be described as the exact visible cover dimensions on every phone or computer. An uploaded file and the area used to display it are different things. The interface can resize or crop the file to fit the available screen.
Likewise, the 400 × 150 minimum does not promise that a small source will look crisp after upload. It tells you the Page’s minimum dimensions, not how much detail exists in your original. A larger original can give you more freedom to reposition the crop without enlarging a tiny section of the image.
The personal profile rule is narrower: the cover must be at least 720 pixels wide. Do not turn that into an official personal cover height by borrowing the Page’s export target. You can choose your own working composition, but identify it as an editing choice rather than a dimension pair Meta publishes for personal profiles.
This guide deliberately does not provide fixed mobile display pixel dimensions or a claimed official safe-zone rectangle. Meta warns that cover content may be cropped and resized for different screens and that the profile picture partially covers the left side. Those are reasons to preview a layout, not evidence for a universal pixel template.
Make a Facebook cover in numbered steps
- Identify the destination. Confirm whether you are changing a personal profile cover or a Page cover. Do not select the Page minimum automatically when the file is intended for a personal profile.
- Find a suitable original. Choose a wide photograph or an editable design with space around the main subject. A tight portrait often lacks enough surrounding image for a shallow cover without removing important details.
- Compose the crop. Open Crop Image to Size and set the Page export target if that is your destination. Reposition the image until the important content has breathing room rather than touching the edges.
- Export with the appropriate settings. For Meta’s fastest-loading Page option, use 851 × 315 pixels, sRGB JPG, and less than 100 KB. If your cover contains text or a logo, compare a PNG because Meta says it may produce a better result.
- Upload and review the frame. Use the cover editing controls Facebook offers for your profile or Page, examine the preview, and save only after checking that the main subject remains visible.
- Inspect other screen sizes. Look at the published cover on a phone and computer when possible. If the design depends on an edge detail, revise the composition and upload a fresh export.
Choose imagery that survives cropping
A cover works best when its meaning does not depend on seeing every corner. A landscape with an obvious focal point, a simple product scene, or a restrained brand background can tolerate trimming better than a dense poster. Put essential opening hours, contact information, and announcements in the Page’s text fields or posts as well.
Keep faces, logos, and important words away from the outer edges and the area where the profile picture overlaps. This is practical design advice, not an official measured safe area. The right amount of space depends on the photograph, the layout, and what the current interface displays. Test the actual result instead of treating a template as a guarantee.
When selecting an image, imagine losing some surrounding scenery. If that would remove the story, choose a different photo or create a background that allows the main image to sit more comfortably inside the frame. Do not stretch a person or a logo horizontally just to fill the cover.
Read aspect ratios explained if a wide canvas keeps cutting off your subject. It helps separate the shape of the frame from the number of pixels used to export it.
Balance file size with readable detail
Meta’s under-100-KB condition belongs to its fastest-loading sRGB JPG recommendation. It is not presented here as a universal rejection threshold for all cover uploads. If a detailed photo becomes visibly damaged while trying to reach that target, inspect the export carefully and simplify the source where possible rather than accepting obvious artifacts.
A photograph and a graphic may respond differently to compression. Fine lettering and hard logo edges can show damage that is less noticeable in a natural scene. Meta specifically says PNG may give better results for profile pictures and covers containing a logo or text. Compare the actual files instead of assuming one format wins for every design.
Export from the original design each time. Reopening a previously compressed JPG and saving it again can introduce additional visible deterioration. Keep editable source material and use a fresh output file for each revision. If you are uncertain whether the shape or scale needs changing, consult crop versus resize before exporting again.
Common problems
The cover is accepted but looks soft. Check the source before changing settings. A small screenshot cannot supply the detail of the original photograph. Avoid excessive zoom inside the crop and inspect the export at its actual dimensions.
The profile picture hides part of the design. Move the important detail away from the overlapping area and review the cover again. If you are also updating the avatar, use Profile Picture Crop to prepare it separately rather than baking it into the cover image.
The design looks different on another device. That can happen because the cover is resized or cropped to fit the screen. Reduce text, protect the main subject with surrounding space, and review both views after each meaningful layout change.
A logo has rough edges after export. Compare a PNG version with the JPG and check the original artwork. Changing format cannot repair a low-quality screenshot, but a fresh export from clean source artwork can preserve better edges.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a Facebook Page cover photo be?
Meta says a Facebook Page cover loads fastest as an 851 × 315 pixel sRGB JPG smaller than 100 KB. The minimum Page cover dimensions are 400 × 150 pixels.
What is the minimum width for a personal Facebook cover?
Meta says a personal profile cover photo must be at least 720 pixels wide. That width minimum does not specify a complete recommended width-and-height pair.
Is 100 KB the maximum allowed Facebook cover size?
The cited Meta guidance describes less than 100 KB as part of its fastest-loading Page cover recommendation, not as a universal upload rejection limit.
Should I use JPG or PNG for a Facebook cover?
Meta’s fastest-loading Page recommendation uses sRGB JPG. Meta also says PNG may give a better result for covers containing a logo or text.
Is there an official universal Facebook cover safe zone?
The cited Meta guidance does not provide a universal pixel-based safe zone. It warns that covers may be cropped or resized for different screens and partially covered by the profile picture.
Last checked November 8, 2026.