Resize image for X (Twitter) Header (1500×500)
X (formerly Twitter) headers are 1500×500 pixels — a wide 3:1 banner that stretches across the top of your profile. Matching this exact size avoids cropping and looks crisp on every screen.
An X (formerly Twitter) profile header is 1500×500 pixels — a 3:1 banner across the top of your profile. The unusual width means the design problem is not resolution but position: your avatar overlaps the lower-left on every layout, and the visible height shrinks on narrow screens, so the usable region is smaller than the canvas suggests. Files are capped at 5 MB and re-encoded as JPEG; an animated GIF header shows only its first frame. Practically, keep anything you need read within the central band — roughly the middle 60 percent of the height and clear of the leftmost 250 pixels where the avatar sits. Because vertical cropping tightens as the viewport narrows, a design anchored to the top or bottom edge is the one most likely to break on mobile. Dark headers also need checking against both themes, since the profile card sits directly on top.
Drop an image to resize to 1500×500
JPG or PNG
How does X crop a profile header?
X scales the header to the full width of the profile column and crops vertically as the column narrows. On a wide desktop browser you see close to the full 3:1 frame. As the viewport narrows the banner keeps its width but the visible height is reduced, trimming top and bottom equally from the centre. On the mobile app the header is proportionally shorter still. The consequence is that vertical position is far more fragile than horizontal position here, which is the reverse of the YouTube banner case. X accepts JPG, PNG and GIF up to 5 MB for headers, and re-encodes uploads as JPEG. Animated GIF headers are not animated — the first frame is used. Because the banner sits directly behind the top of the profile card, the bottom third is the least reliable region on any layout.
Avatar overlap and the profile card
The circular avatar is composited over the lower-left of the header, extending below the banner's bottom edge. It occupies roughly the leftmost 200 pixels at full scale and considerably more of the visible area on mobile, where everything is proportionally larger relative to the shorter banner. Directly beneath the header, the display name, handle, bio and follower counts are rendered on the page background rather than over the image, so they do not obstruct it — but the avatar does, and on mobile the follow button sits at the upper right of the profile card, close to the banner's lower-right corner. Text placed in either bottom corner is therefore at risk. Very fine detail also fares poorly: the 3:1 shape means the banner is often displayed at a small physical height, and thin lines or small type disappear.
Positioning artwork in a 3:1 frame
Keep anything that must be read inside the upper-right two-thirds of the canvas, roughly a rectangle from x=350 to x=1450 and y=60 to y=340. That region avoids the avatar on the left, keeps clear of the bottom edge where the profile card crowds in, and survives the vertical crop on narrower viewports. For photographic headers, place the focal point right of centre for the same reason. A common and effective pattern is a plain or gently textured background with a single short line of text set right of centre — it survives every crop and stays legible at the small heights the banner is often rendered at. If the header carries a logo, size it generously; at 3:1 the banner is rarely more than 120 physical pixels tall on a laptop screen, and a logo designed at print scale becomes an unreadable smudge.
X Header tip: mind the profile photo overlap on the left
On mobile, your profile picture overlaps the bottom-left of the header. Keep critical text and logos in the upper-right two-thirds of the image.
Twitter / X Header size FAQ
Why is the header so wide?
- The 3:1 ratio fills the top of the profile column, which is far wider than it is tall. It lets X show a complete image on desktop while cropping gracefully as the column narrows.
Where does my avatar sit?
- Over the lower-left of the header on every layout, extending below the banner's bottom edge. Keep that corner free of text and faces.
Is there a file-size limit?
- 5 MB for headers. A 1500×500 JPEG at quality 85 is usually well under 500 KB.
Can I use an animated GIF?
- You can upload one, but X does not animate header images — only the first frame is displayed.
Why does my header look cropped top and bottom?
- As the viewport narrows, X keeps the banner's width and trims height from the centre outward. Keep content away from the top and bottom edges.
Can I use a transparent PNG?
- Yes, but X composites it onto a solid background during its JPEG re-encode, so plan for an opaque result.
Where should the text go?
- Right of centre and vertically centred — roughly x 350–1450, y 60–340. That region survives the avatar overlap and the vertical crop.
Does SwiftTooly see my image?
- No. Resizing happens entirely in your browser and the output file is generated locally.
Header regions and their reliability
| Region | Approximate area | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| Lower left | x 0–350, y 300–500 | Covered by avatar |
| Upper right | x 350–1450, y 60–340 | Safe on all layouts |
| Bottom edge | y 400–500 | Trimmed on narrow viewports |
| Top edge | y 0–60 | Trimmed on narrow viewports |
Vertical crop is the main risk on X headers — horizontal position is comparatively stable.
Last updated:
References: X Help Center profile image and header specifications, including the 5 MB limit; crop and overlay behaviour verified against the X web and iOS clients.