Creating a professional YouTube channel banner (channel art) is simple using the platform’s built-in design tools and presets. Follow these steps to get started.
1. Choose the YouTube Channel Art Size
Start by selecting the YouTube Channel Art size preset: 2560 × 1440 pixels.
This preset ensures your banner meets YouTube's recommended dimensions and displays correctly on all screen types (TV, desktop, and mobile).
2. Customize Your Design
You can either:
Use a pre-made template available in the editor
Start from scratch by adding your own background image, branding, and text
The design editor allows full control over layout, fonts, colors, and assets, so you can create a banner that reflects your channel's identity.
3. Align Content Within the Safe Area
Since YouTube crops banners differently based on device, keep critical elements (text, logo, CTA) within a 1546 × 423 px safe zone centered on the canvas.
This ensures your design looks great and remains readable across all devices.
YouTube Channel Art Size Guide
Area | Dimensions (px) | Purpose |
Full Banner Size | 2560 x 1440 | Shown on TV screens |
Safe Zone | 1546 x 423 | Visible across all devices (desktop, mobile, tablet) |
File Format | JPG or PNG | Under 6MB |
4. Download and Upload
Once your design is complete:
Download it as a JPG or PNG file
Upload it to your YouTube channel under Customization > Banner Image in your YouTube Studio settings
Make sure to preview it on desktop and mobile to confirm everything appears correctly.
Pro Tip: Use bold, high-contrast text to improve visibility on smaller screens.
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