JUMP TO SECTION:
- How to Make a Stunning YouTube Banner
- 5 YouTube Banner Examples
- 12 Popular YouTube Banner Makers
- How to Change Your Banner on YouTube
YouTube banners are a vital part of any creator’s channel. Size-wise, they’re bigger than YouTube thumbnails and much larger than profile pictures.
That means people will notice your banner before seeing anything else on your channel homepage. If you want viewers to scroll down and click on your videos, you need a banner that entices them to do so.
How to Make a Stunning YouTube Banner
What makes a good YouTube banner image? We believe the best ones are balanced, eye-catching, and complement the profile pictures beside them.
Here are five tips for creating a banner that intrigues anyone who lands on your channel.
1. Start with the Correct YouTube Banner Size
Good YouTube banners look sharp no matter where you view them: mobile devices, laptops, tablets, and even giant computer monitors.
To make a sharp banner image for your channel:
- Use the standard YouTube banner dimensions: 2048 x 1152 pixels.
- Place banner text within the pixel area of 1235 x 338. That's the safe area where text doesn't get cut off.
- Keep the image at or below 6MB.
2. Create a Banner That Matches Your YouTube Niche
Whether you’re into Minecraft gaming or finding lost puppies (yes, it’s a thing), your YouTube channel banner should reflect that. Viewers should look at your banner and think, It looks like this channel is about [insert topic here]. I’m in the right place.
If someone wants to learn Microsoft Excel, for example, the imagery in your banner has to match that desire. You might add a tiny spreadsheet to the design or make the banner forest green to match the Excel colors.
3. Add Text to Your Banner Design
Some viewers will understand your banner without text, but others won’t be as fortunate.
That’s why it’s best to add a few words to the design. If someone doesn’t realize you’re a tech channel after seeing your banner, they won’t spend more than a second guessing. They’ll see the answer on your YouTube header: Tech reviews. Gear talk. Gadgets galore.
If you can, add your channel’s value proposition to the banner too. It’s an easy way to show people what your channel is about and what they’ll gain from being there. Our value proposition at vidIQ is “creator obsessed YouTube education,” and you know that instantly by reading our banner.
4. Keep the Design Fun and Simple
The typical advice we give for YouTube channel art is to keep it simple. Just like YouTube thumbnails, you want your banner to be understandable within seconds. That means adding just enough design elements to get your point across – some text, 1-2 images representing your niche, and a robust background. Stay away from designs that look congested or have too many colors for someone to process.
5. Add Links to Your YouTube Banner
Banners are fun and artsy, but they’re more than a stylish billboard for your channel. They’re also a place to advertise your social media, from Twitter to Facebook to Instagram. You can display five links on a banner, so use those spots wisely. We recommend putting the most important link in position one.
Also, consider placing a call to action on your banner. It could be an arrow pointing to the first banner link or a glowing box that encapsulates all links. Test different strategies to see what brings in the most clicks.
5 YouTube Banner Examples
It’s easy to come up with YouTube banner ideas once you’ve seen a few examples. Here are five good ones to inspire your YouTube banner design.
1. vidIQ, YouTube education channel
2. Zeusy the Pitty, pit bull appreciation channel
3. Cydnee Black, makeup and beauty channel
4. Poké Daxi, Pokémon gaming channel
5. Pamela Reif, exercise channel
12 Popular YouTube Banner Makers
Now that you’ve seen some quality banners, you’re probably wondering where to find YouTube banner art. After all, a good graphic is nothing without attractive imagery. If you’re going to design something that truly stands out, you’ll need quality banner images for YouTube.
Don’t worry: You don’t need to pay for a Shutterstock account or anything like that.
Plenty of websites will supply both the channel art and the editing tools you need to build a banner:
How to Change Your Banner on YouTube
Do you have an old banner you’re dying to switch out? Here’s a step-by-step guide to upload your fresh header:
- Go to the YouTube Studio.
- Click Customization in the left menu.
- Go to the Branding tab.
- Scroll down to the banner section and click Change.
- Select a new banner image, crop it, and click Publish.
Are you ready to take your channel art to the next level?
Learn how to make YouTube end screens and increase your video views.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
YouTube banners are an essential component of a creator's channel. They are larger than thumbnails and profile pictures, making them the first thing viewers notice when they visit a channel homepage. A well-designed banner can entice viewers to scroll down and click on videos. Here are some tips for creating a stunning YouTube banner:
Start with the Correct YouTube Banner Size
To ensure that your banner looks sharp on different devices, use the standard YouTube banner dimensions of 2048 x 1152 pixels. Place your banner text within the safe area of 1235 x 338 pixels to prevent it from getting cut off. Additionally, keep the image size at or below 6MB.
Create a Banner That Matches Your YouTube Niche
Your YouTube channel banner should reflect the content of your channel. If your channel is about a specific topic, such as Minecraft gaming or Microsoft Excel tutorials, incorporate imagery or colors that align with that theme. This helps viewers quickly understand what your channel is about and whether it's relevant to their interests .
Add Text to Your Banner Design
While some viewers may understand your banner without text, it's best to add a few words to provide clarity. If your banner doesn't clearly convey the nature of your channel, viewers may not spend much time on your page. Consider including your channel's value proposition in the banner to highlight what viewers can expect from your content .
Keep the Design Fun and Simple
To ensure that your banner is easily understandable within seconds, keep the design elements minimal. Include some text, 1-2 images representing your niche, and a clean background. Avoid designs that appear congested or have too many colors, as they can be overwhelming for viewers.
Add Links to Your YouTube Banner
YouTube banners not only serve as visual elements but also provide an opportunity to promote your social media presence. You can display up to five links on your banner, so use them wisely. Consider placing the most important link in the first position and experiment with different strategies, such as using arrows or boxes, to encourage clicks .
For inspiration, here are five YouTube banner examples:
- vidIQ, a YouTube education channel
- Zeusy the Pitty, a pit bull appreciation channel
- Cydnee Black, a makeup and beauty channel
- Poké Daxi, a Pokémon gaming channel
- Pamela Reif, an exercise channel
If you're looking for YouTube banner makers and editing tools, here are 12 popular options:
- Canva
- VistaCreate
- Picmaker
- Placeit
- PicMonkey
- Creatopy
- Snappa
- Fotor
- Visme
- Venngage
- Adobe
- Fotojet To change your YouTube banner, follow these steps:
- Go to the YouTube Studio.
- Click on "Customization" in the left menu.
- Go to the "Branding" tab.
- Scroll down to the banner section and click "Change".
- Select a new banner image, crop it if necessary, and click "Publish".
By following these tips and utilizing the available tools, you can create a stunning YouTube banner that captures viewers' attention and encourages them to explore your channel further.
