Create a YouTube channel banner at the exact 2560 × 1440 size, with guides that show what viewers see on TV, desktop, tablet and mobile. Start from a template or a blank canvas, add your channel name, shapes and photos, then download a ready-to-upload PNG or JPG. Everything happens in your browser.
Last updated:
Mobile / text & logo safe area 1546×423Tablet 1855×423Desktop 2560×423TV: full 2560×1440
Desktop viewMobile view
Text
Background
Tip: click an element on the canvas to edit it. Arrow keys nudge (Shift = 10×), Delete removes.
2560 × 1440 px
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How to use the YouTube Banner Maker
Pick a template or start blank, then set the background color, gradient or photo.
Edit the text: click a text layer and type your channel name, tagline or upload schedule in the panel.
Add shapes and images such as your logo or face cut-out. Drag to move, use the corner handles to resize and the round handle to rotate.
Keep it in the safe area: everything important must sit inside the green 1546 × 423 box so it is visible on phones.
Download the banner as PNG or JPG and upload it in YouTube Studio under Customization → Branding → Banner image.
YouTube banner size and safe areas
YouTube uses one banner image for every device and crops it differently on each. Upload a 2560 × 1440 pixel image (16:9, at most 6 MB) and design it from the center outwards:
Area
Size (px)
Visible on
What to put there
Text and logo safe area
1546 × 423
All devices, including phones
Channel name, logo, tagline, upload schedule
Tablet
1855 × 423
Tablets and smaller desktop windows
Extra decoration, faces at the edge of the safe area
Desktop
2560 × 423
Desktop browsers (maximum width)
Background artwork that can be cut off
Full image
2560 × 1440
Only YouTube on TVs
Background only: never place text here
All four areas share the same center point, so the safe area runs from x = 507 to 2053 and from y = 509 to 931 on the full canvas. The minimum accepted upload is 2048 × 1152 pixels.
Design tips for a channel banner that works
Say what the channel is about. Your name plus a short promise ("Easy 15-minute recipes", "Weekly PC builds") tells visitors why they should subscribe.
Use big, bold type. On a phone the safe area is only about 360 pixels wide on screen, so text below roughly 60 pixels on the canvas becomes hard to read.
Keep the bottom-left corner calm on desktop. YouTube does not cover the banner, but busy detail right under the channel avatar and name looks cluttered.
Match your thumbnails. Reuse the same two or three colors and fonts as your video thumbnails so the channel looks consistent. The Thumbnail Maker helps with that.
Check contrast. Light text needs a dark background (or the outline and shadow options). Use the Darken slider on photo backgrounds.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a YouTube banner?
YouTube recommends 2560 × 1440 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The minimum upload size is 2048 × 1152 pixels and the file must be 6 MB or smaller. This tool always exports exactly 2560 × 1440.
What is the YouTube banner safe area?
The safe area for text and logos is the 1546 × 423 pixel box in the center of the 2560 × 1440 image. It is the only part that is visible on every device. Desktop screens show a band up to 2560 × 423, tablets about 1855 × 423, and only TVs show the full 2560 × 1440 image.
Why is my banner cropped on mobile?
On phones YouTube shows only the center 1546 × 423 pixels of the banner, cropping the left and right sides. Keep your channel name, logo and other important content inside the green safe-area box and use the outer areas only for background design.
Should I save the banner as PNG or JPG?
PNG gives the sharpest text and graphics but can be larger. A banner with a photo background may exceed YouTube's 6 MB limit as PNG; in that case choose JPG at high quality, which the tool will suggest automatically.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. The editor runs entirely in your browser. Logos and photos you add are only read locally and the banner is created on your device.
Can I use these templates commercially?
Yes. The templates are simple layouts made of text, shapes and gradients drawn by the tool, with no third-party artwork, so you can use the resulting banner freely on your channel.
How do I upload the banner to YouTube?
Open YouTube Studio, go to Customization, then Branding, and click Upload next to Banner image. Select the downloaded file and YouTube shows the device previews, which will match the guides in this tool.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.