Recommended GitHub Banner Dimensions
GitHub uses a social preview image to represent your repository when it is shared on social media platforms. Getting the dimensions right ensures your banner displays clearly and professionally in link previews across Twitter, LinkedIn, Slack, and more.
| Image Type | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Max Size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Preview | 1280 × 640 px | 2:1 | 5 MB | PNG, JPG, GIF |
How it works: GitHub uses social preview images when repos are shared on social media — this is the image that appears in link previews on Twitter, LinkedIn, Slack, and other platforms.
File Format Tips
Choosing the right file format makes a noticeable difference in how your GitHub banner looks:
- PNG — Best for text-heavy designs, graphics, logos, and illustrations with sharp edges
- JPG — Ideal for photographic backgrounds or images with many color gradients
- Max 5 MB — Keep your file under the upload limit to avoid errors
- Keep text large and readable — Social preview thumbnails can be small, so use bold fonts and generous spacing
Common GitHub Banner Mistakes
- Wrong aspect ratio — Anything other than 2:1 will be cropped or letterboxed, cutting off important content
- Low resolution — Images below 1280 × 640 appear blurry or pixelated in link previews
- Text near edges — Social platforms often apply slight cropping, so keep key content away from the borders
- Ignoring social share appearance — Always preview how your banner looks in a Twitter or Slack link card before publishing
- File too large — Exceeding the 5 MB limit causes upload failures in GitHub settings
How Typography Studio Pro Helps
Smart Banner Hub's Typography Studio Pro makes creating perfect GitHub banners simple and effortless:
- Auto 1280 × 640: Select GitHub from the dropdown — the canvas instantly resizes to the correct dimensions
- Unified Platform: One tool for GitHub, LinkedIn, YouTube, and every other major platform
- Drag, Resize, Rotate: Position text with precision using our breakthrough interactive canvas
- Two Design Approaches:
- DBSCAN Clustering: AI-powered mathematical visuals — world-first technology exclusive to Smart Banner Hub
- Clean Text: Professional typography with perfect readability
- Colors & Backgrounds: Advanced color systems, custom image uploads, mathematical patterns, and solid fills
- Real-Time Preview: See your design update instantly as you make changes
- Free Preview: Try before you buy — no account required to start designing
Banners for Other Platforms
Typography Studio Pro offers unified banner creation for all major platforms:
- LinkedIn Banners — Professional headers for your career profile
- YouTube Banners — Eye-catching channel art for content creators
- Medium Banners — Distinctive headers for your publication
- Facebook Banners — Professional cover photos for your page
- Substack Preview Images — Eye-catching social media previews