Free · Nothing uploaded · TV, desktop, tablet and mobile
YouTube Banner Preview
See how your channel banner looks on every device before you publish it. Check the size, the safe area and the file limit in one place.
YouTube banner size guide
From YouTube Help. Design at 2560 × 1440 px and keep anything important inside the safe area.
| Item | Size |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 2560 × 1440 px |
| Minimum size | 2048 × 1152 px |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Maximum file size | 6 MB |
| Safe area for text and logos | 1546 × 423 px (1235 × 338 px at the minimum size) |
| Visible on TV | The whole image |
| Visible on desktop | 2560 × 423 px (approx.) |
| Visible on tablet | 1855 × 423 px (approx.) |
How to test your YouTube banner
- 01
Add your banner
Drop your image above or choose a file. It's read by your browser and never uploaded.
- 02
Switch devices
Look at the TV, desktop, tablet and mobile views. Turn on the guides to see the safe area.
- 03
Fix and publish
Move text into the safe area and fix any size warnings, then upload the banner in YouTube Studio.
Who checks a banner before publishing
A banner is the first thing people see on your channel page, and every device crops it differently. These are the times a quick preview saves an awkward fix later.
- New channels
- Starting a channel? Check that your name and tagline fit the safe area before the first visitors arrive, so nothing is cut off on phones, where most people will see it.
- Rebrands and seasonal banners
- Changing your look, announcing a new upload schedule or promoting a launch? Test the new banner on every device first, instead of fixing it live while subscribers watch.
- Designers and editors
- Working on someone else's channel? Check a draft without access to their YouTube Studio, then send the client a screenshot of how it looks on TV, desktop and mobile.
- Starting from a template
- Download the free template with every crop marked, design inside the lines in any image editor, then drop the result back here to confirm it fits.
TubeKit vs the YouTube Studio preview
YouTube Studio shows a crop preview when you upload. TubeKit is for the step before that, while you are still designing.
| Compare | TubeKit Banner Preview | YouTube Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | TV, desktop, tablet and mobile side by side. | A crop preview while you upload. |
| Size check | Size, aspect ratio and file size checked the moment you add an image. | A message if the image doesn't meet the rules. |
| Safe area guides | Outlines for every device crop and the safe area. | A single crop frame. |
| Who can use it | Anyone, with no sign-in. | Only people with access to the channel. |
Check your channel banner before subscribers see it
YouTube only shows a preview after you pick an image. TubeKit shows every device at once, with the numbers.
- Four devices, one image
- See exactly which part of your banner TV, desktop, tablet and mobile viewers get.
- Safe area guides
- Colored outlines mark each device's crop and the safe area for text and logos.
- Instant size check
- Size, aspect ratio and file size are checked against YouTube's rules the moment you add an image.
- Private by design
- Your image stays in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, and no sign-in is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Use 2560 × 1440 px. YouTube accepts images from 2048 × 1152 px at a 16:9 aspect ratio, up to 6 MB.
It's the middle of the banner that every device shows: 1546 × 423 px on a 2560 × 1440 image (1235 × 338 px at the minimum size). Keep your channel name, logo and text inside it.
YouTube shows one image everywhere but crops it per device. TVs show all of it, computers show a wide band through the middle, and phones show only the safe area.
No. Your browser reads the image and draws the previews. Nothing is sent to TubeKit or YouTube.
In YouTube Studio, open Customization, then Profile. Click Change next to the banner image, choose your image, adjust the crop, click Done and then Publish.
TVs show the whole image at full size. Anything smaller than 2560 × 1440 px gets stretched, so export your banner at 2560 × 1440 px.
YouTube accepts JPG, PNG, BMP and still GIF images up to 6 MB. Animated GIFs aren't supported. PNG keeps text sharp, while JPG keeps photos small.
No. YouTube uses one image for every device and crops it. Keep your name, logo and text inside the safe area and the same banner works on phones, computers and TVs. To test video thumbnails the same way, use the Thumbnail Preview.
Yes. Press Download template above to get a 2560 × 1440 px image with the TV, desktop, tablet and safe-area crops marked. Design over it in any image editor.
Yes. Type your channel name and add your profile picture above. Every preview shows them in a channel header under the banner, so you can see how they sit together on each device.
More free YouTube tools
- Thumbnail PreviewSee your thumbnail on home, search and mobile
- Category CheckerVideo category, tags and channel keywords
- Play All VideosPlay a whole channel, newest or oldest first
- Playlist ExporterExport to CSV, Excel, TXT, JSON or Markdown
- Link & Title ExtractorCopy every video link or title, one per line
- Playlist Length CalculatorTotal length and watch time of any playlist