When creating a cover banner image for your YouTube channel, it is important to remember that the same image is displayed across all devices and platforms. This means that whether someone is viewing your channel on a computer, tablet, smartphone, or even a smart TV, this cover banner will be the first visual impression they receive. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the image is of high quality, properly sized, and visually appealing. Additionally, you should also consider incorporating key elements of your brand or content, such as your logo, channel name, and any relevant graphics or text, to create a cohesive and professional look.
The banner image should have dimensions of 2560x1440 pixels to ensure it fits properly across all devices. However, the displayed portion of this banner varies depending on the device being used by the viewer.
Youtube Cover Banner – The mobile size
First, when a user watches your channel on a mobile device, they will only see a specific part of the image. This visible section is the centered area measuring 1550x424 pixels, with the top left corner positioned at coordinates 505x508. We can refer to this as the mobile viewport.
Youtube Cover Banner – The tablet size
Next, if a user is viewing your channel on a tablet device, they will also see only a portion of the banner image. In this case, the visible section is the centered area measuring 1856x424 pixels, with the top left corner at coordinates 352x508. We will call this the tablet viewport.
Youtube Cover Banner – The desktop size
For users watching your channel on a desktop device, the visible part of the banner image expands further. The centered section that is displayed measures 2560x424 pixels, with the top left corner starting at coordinates 0x508. This will be referred to as the desktop viewport.
Youtube Cover Banner – The smart tv size
Finally, users watching your channel on a Smart TV will have the advantage of seeing the full banner image, which encompasses all 2560x1440 pixels. We can refer to this as the smart TV viewport.
Youtube Cover Banner – All devices size
Now, let’s dive deeper and see all sizes in action. Here’s what each user on a device will see the cover banner in our youtube channel.
Youtube Cover Banner – tablet size vs mobile size
The tablet user will see the mobile viewport, conveniently located right in the center of the tablet viewport. This means that the mobile viewport keeps the same height and is positioned 153 pixels from both the left and right sides of the tablet viewport. This central placement ensures an optimal viewing experience for our tablet users.
Youtube Cover Banner – desktop size vs mobile size
For desktop users, they will also see the mobile viewport, perfectly centered in the desktop viewport. The mobile viewport retains the same height and is situated 508 pixels from both the left and right sides of the desktop viewport. This alignment guarantees a seamless and consistent viewing experience for our desktop users.
Youtube Cover Banner – tv size vs mobile size
Similarly, smart TV users will see the mobile viewport, placed right in the center of the desktop viewport. For smart TV users, the viewport is situated 508 pixels from both the left and right sides of the horizontal sides and 505 pixels from the top and bottom of the vertical sides. This ensures that smart TV users have a great viewing experience too!
Design tips for youtube cover banner
You may have noticed that the mobile viewport is consistently visible on all devices and is centered in all the other viewports. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that any important elements or text within your banner image are placed within this mobile viewport to guarantee they are seen by all viewers, regardless of the device they are using.
You can add other elements in the remaining space to make the banner more visually appealing and engaging. Just make sure these extras enhance the overall look and feel of the banner. However, It’s important that they don’t include any crucial elements for the brand’s identity or key messaging. The primary focus should still be on the core branding elements in the mobile viewport that everyone sees no matter what device they’re using.
Youtube Cover Banner template PSD
To make the design simpler and more user-friendly, I have created a detailed template PSD specifically for a YouTube cover banner. This comprehensive template includes four distinct overlays, each designed to align perfectly with different devices. The overlays are set at 50% opacity to provide a clear guide while still allowing the underlying design to be visible.
The first overlay is tailored for mobile devices and is marked with a vibrant yellow color to ensure it stands out. The second overlay is designed for tablets and is marked with a noticeable green color, making it easy to differentiate. The third overlay corresponds to desktop screens and is marked in a bold red color for clear visibility. Lastly, the fourth overlay is for smart TVs and is marked with a striking blue color, completing the range of device-specific guides.
By using this template, you can ensure that your YouTube cover banner looks perfect across all devices, providing a seamless and professional appearance.
