Is Designing a Facebook Cover Page Photo Making You Crazy?

Same here and you are NOT ALONE.  I get asked this question all the time.  “How the heck do you design a Facebook cover image so it actually fits?” 

Unfortunately there is a TON of misinformation out there and I remember searching for HOURS and trying all different sizes in Photoshop, only to upload them and have them pulled or stretched, bad quality, or text that gets cut off.   I literally looked like the woman in this photo.   Even Facebook was not giving the correct information.   Its true that the size of the desktop is actually 820 x 312 pixels, but what they DON’T tell you is how to design it PROPERLY for both desktop and phone so that it shows well on both!  

You have come to the right place.   I will show you exactly how to design it properly so that it fits on BOTH, and you can get it right the first time.

Fist off it is correct that the “finished” size of a Facebook desktop ad is 820 x 312.   But when you design the ad, you need to allow 75 pixels above and below, because on mobile phones that whole part will show.  So in whatever software you use to design ads, the correct STARTING size is 820×461.  You then measure 75 pixels above and below and put temporary “markers”.  ALL important elements stay in the middle section, although you can bleed out the backgrounds.   If you design it this way, your cover design will fit perfectly onto a mobile or desktop Facebook page.   Below you can see my below and afters for my own Facebook group.    

Feel free to email me with any questions at lee@nexgraphics.com.   Enjoy and if you liked this article please share it below!