Which banner size works best for LinkedIn, Facebook and GitHub?

Choosing the right pixel size is the start. The real work is keeping text readable, avoiding awkward cropping and making sure files load fast. I give reliable sizes, explain safe areas and show a simple workflow to create banners that actually work.

Recommended sizes that work well

Platforms change, but these sizes are widely used and give a good mix of sharpness and compatibility.

• LinkedIn personal header: 1584 x 396 pixels. This wide, low banner is common for personal profiles. Keep important content centered.
• Facebook page cover: 820 x 360 pixels. Facebook crops differently on mobile and desktop. Designing for 820 x 360 reduces the chance important parts get cut off.
• GitHub social preview (repo): 1280 x 640 pixels. This size is commonly used for the image that appears when a repository is shared. For profile or organization banners a wider option like 1600 x 400 can give extra sharpness.

What matters beyond pixels

Pixels are just one piece of the puzzle. These three details affect how viewers actually see your banner.

Safe area for text and logos

Keep text and logos inside a central safe zone. A practical rule is a 10 to 15 percent margin from each edge. That prevents accidental cropping on smaller screens or when platforms scale the image.

Retina and export size

Designing at double size helps on high-density displays. For example, create a LinkedIn file at 3168 x 792 px if you want a 2x export. But watch final file size. Platforms compress uploads, so try to stay under 500 KB where possible while keeping quality.

File type and color profile

Use PNG for graphics with sharp edges or transparency. Use JPEG for photo-heavy banners to keep file size down. Export using the sRGB profile so colors remain consistent across devices.

A simple workflow I use

• Design at the recommended size and place key elements in the safe area.
• Create a 2x version if you need extra sharpness on retina screens.
• Export as PNG or optimized JPEG and check file size.
• Upload and inspect on desktop and mobile, and preview the social card if available.

Real-world checks

I always test banners after upload. One recurring issue I see is text placed too close to an edge. Moving it inward by 10 percent usually fixes the problem without changing the visual balance. Small tweaks save time and avoid redesigns later.

When to use custom sizes

If you need a very specific look for a campaign or a hero image, design to that size but export a version for the standard social formats as well. That way the campaign visuals stay intact and sharing still looks correct on each platform.

Summary

Design for 1584 x 396 on LinkedIn personal profiles, 820 x 360 for Facebook page covers and 1280 x 640 for GitHub social previews. Keep text inside a central safe area, export with sRGB and test on multiple devices. If you want a quick start, try my banner generator to produce correctly sized files fast.