Did you realize your Facebook Fan Page profile picture can be as big as this?
[Have updated this post as the new size is 540 pixels high by 180 pixels wide.
Facebook still refers to the vertical banner on your Page as your Page Profile Picture. This post is intended to encourage you to maximize your visual branding of the vertical banner on your Facebook (Fan) Page.]
Very generous of Facebook to give us all this valuable space on their site – the second most popular site on the globe! (Alexa)
A picture is worth a thousand words! And all this space is free!
How to Make the Best Use of this Free Space
1. Do this first – upload your full-size profile picture – 540 pixels high and 180 pixels wide. Grab your designer or Photoshop friend! Aviary is a free online photo editor you can use to create your vertical banner if you are using a single photograph.
2. Keep your branding consistent. On your Fan Page, Facebook allows you to promote your products or services – so go for it!
3. Include a photo of you in your profile picture – its about connecting with people.
4. Include your core offering so your visitors can see immediately how you can help them.
Some Great Facebook Profile Pictures to Inspire You!
Mitch Meyerson’s Facebook Fan Page
Fabienne Fredrickson’s Facebook Fan Page
Dan Weik’s Facebook Fan Page
Dubli Facebook Fan Page
NightLife @ the California Academy of Sciences Facebook Fan Page
Have you a great Profile Picture on your Fan Page? Feel free to add your link in the comments below. If you found this post helpful, please share with your friends.
© 2010 – 2012, Tina Cook. All rights reserved.
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Awesome post, I could not remember the max height and this really helped.
Some nice looking examples too.
Thanks!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Thanks Kev
Twitter: oskar_ny
says:
Tina,
Everytime i want to upload the banner it tells me to make into a box shape. I can’t upload, help me please! thanks in advance!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Oscar,
We’ve found you need to be sure your image is exactly 180 px wide by 540 px high. Hope this solves your issue. Best, Tina
This is awesome….That is all.:)
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Thank you Molly.
Thank you so much for this info!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Pleasure Kristie.
This is great. I’ve been wondering this for a while and appreciate having the examples to check out!!
Good examples, thanks!
Just finished uploading my new big profile pic all accomplished with your advice. THANK YOU!
facebook.com/lauralongstudios
You have just what I was looking for. I am creating my first fan page and want my picture to look professional.
But I cannot figure out how to take my present picture which I have on my Fan Page and change it to a vertical banner with text information on it.
Would appreciate any help you can give me.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elaine-Horner/216327818420528
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for your question. To create your vertical banner you need to use a graphics program like Photoshop. Aviary is a free online photo editor you can try: http://www.aviary.com/
Or you ask a graphic designer to help you. I can recommend someone.
Congrats on starting your new Facebook page!
Best, Tina
Hi,
thankyou Tinacook,for this post,
I have one problem with facebook now, from facebook news is that,when we change profile picture,use a old picture in profile,we cannot change it without corp option,and it duplicate the same picture
Do you know how can i change it without corp ?
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Greetings Albert,
Thank you for your question. I’d like to help you but don’t understand what you mean when you say “without corp”. Haven’t come across that term.
I’m pretty sure he means “crop”
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Thanks Mitch, can you work out what Albert needs helps with?
i uploaded my photo with size of 540 pixels high and 180 pixels wide …but in the friend’s list nd i can see only half photo of mine….means my face is not showing in the friendlist of my friends..pls give some solution to solve this problem..
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Greetings Srikanth,
We need to adjust your thumbnail. To do this:
1. Move your mouse over your new banner visual and you’ll see “change picture” in the top right corner, click on the link.
2. Under your banner you’ll see “Edit Thumbnail”. Click on the link.
3. A small window will open inviting you to move your image to what you’d like to show.
That should do the trick. Warmly, Tina
Thanks Tina for the great post.
important element in the picture profile is to be clear , informative about the subject , self explanatory.
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Appreciate your comment Sameh, thank you.
I realize I’m horribly late in finding this ~ but I’m thrilled to be here! Thanks for the great tute ~ I’ve wanted to do this for ages and am just now taking the time to get it done.
Here’s my page!
http://www.facebook.com/creativehomemomma
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Amanda,
Happy to have helped you. Thanks for sharing the link to your Facebook Page. Great example to inspire others.
All the very best, Tina
Thank you so much for this article…i uploaded my photo with size of 540 pixels high and 180 pixels wide …but in the friend’s list nd i can see only half photo of mine….means my face is not showing in the friendlist of my friends..pls give some solution to solve this problem..Thanks..!!
putting a small thumnail of your extra photo on the top will help you.
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Appreciate your helpful suggestion Gangan, thank you. Can you add your link so we can see your example. Best, Tina
Problem Solved..thanks Gangan..!!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Greetings Prasad,
Gangan, has kindly given you one solution. Another is to adjust your thumbnail. To do this:
1. Move your mouse over your new banner visual and you’ll see “change picture” in the top right corner, click on the link.
2. Under your banner you’ll see “Edit Thumbnail”. Click on the link.
3. A small window will open inviting you to move your image to what you’d like to show.
Hope that helps you. Thanks for your question. Wishing you the best, Tina
Thanks Tina…Problem Solved….thanks again..!!
Hello Tina!
I have been trying for awhile now to upload a new profile picture for my Facebook Business Page: http://www.facebook.com/PitBullHappeningsInc and for some reason it keeps telling me something along the lines of the picture not being square enough… the photo is 176px Wide by 540 px Height and Yes, I’m definitely using the page as the page and to include changing the Page Profile Picture
Please can you help me figure out why Facebook isn’t allowing me to change the Page Profile Picture? I can email you the photo file if needed! Thank you!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Eric,
Yes, will take a look for you. Have sent you an email.
Best, Tina
Hello Tina, I’m terribly sorry for the nonresponse on my part… please forgive me… I’ve been overwhelmed in Rescue work to say the least… I found your email and replied and included the image I’ve been trying to get uploaded… Thanks again for all your kind help
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Eric,
No problem. Very interesting. You were 7 pixels away from uploading success!
I added a very small border to make your banner 180 px instead of 173 px wide and up it went on my test page.
Let me know when you have uploaded. Have emailed you.
Best, Tina
Hello Tina, i am having this problem and i have Google it for 3 hours and i can not find an answer for the problem. I see that the samples you provided for Profile Images for facebook fan pages are all great looking, they seem to have had contain the quality of the images when uploaded to facebook.
I have this problem, when uploading pictures or images to my fan page they look very blurred out and its just killing the look of my page. I have try png & jpeg formats but the image still looks blurry and pix-elated. Here is the link of the Fan page i am starting to build up; Facebook.com/MyabellasDesigns
If you could please offer me some tips on how to fix this problem i would really appreciate it.
Thank You!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Ivan,
Taking a look and will get back to you via email.
Best, Tina
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Ivan,
Thank you for sending me your image. It looks fine to me. I usually use 96 dpi and doubt 72 dpi will make that much difference. When you saved the jpeg file did you request the maximum setting for the best resolution?
It could be Facebook is compressing the photos as you aren’t the first to have this issue.
It may be your pink is very vibrant. That’s the color of your brand so you want to stay with that.
My suggestion for your banner design is to make the font much bigger. Also feature a visual of your gorgeous jewelry. You can change the banner often and feature the jewelry pieces you wish to promote during a sale or for a special occasion, like Valentines or over Christmas.
Hope that helps you. Wishing you the best of success!
HELP! I am too am trying to upload a new profile pic. IT is exactly 54×180 pixels and I am still getting the message that I need to choose a square? Can you help? Here is my link.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=188366030437&sk=picture
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Jody,
Happy we found the issue and your Facebook Page is looking so good!
Hi Tina
I’ve created an image for my sidebar banner and it is the correct size however when i attempt to upload this to facebook I am given an error message that says the image should be square.
Can you tell me how I can upload this successfully and does it need to be hosted?
Kind regards
Paula
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Paula,
Sounds like you are uploading on your personal page? If you give me the link to your page, can take a quick look. BTW doesn’t need to be hosted. You just upload directly from Facebook. Thanks for stopping by. Hope we can get you set up and smiling!
Thank you so much ! Now I learned how to make my FB more amazing by your tips .
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Happy to have helped you.
how can i make use of all this…..i mean how can i enlarge ma pic as others ..
how to upload a picture on this website…???can any one tell me…??
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Nauman,
Are you asking how to upload a picture to my website or your website?
i need to put my picture on facebook but it is smaller than 180 pixels so pls what do i do
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Greetings Blessing,
Suggest contacting a designer to help you. Or you can create a complimentary background 180 x 540 pixels and place your picture on that. If you need a referral to a good designer, let me know via http://www.tinacook.tv/socialmedia/meet-tina-cook/contact-tina/
These profile pics are great!
See what we have created for the FB of JC Rags and DEPT:
http://www.facebook.com/J.C.RAGS
http://www.facebook.com/DEPTwomen
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Congrats Jack, two of the coolest Facebook Pages I’ve seen! Going to show to my Social Media mastermind group who may want contact you for their clients. Will let you know.
Awesome post!
I for one prefer hiring the pros do all the work for me. Or you can get your page designed for free, some studios offer free Fan Page design.
dear tina how do i get a big .jpg in the center of my facebook group like on this group here:
https://www.facebook.com/Graphic.Allsortz
hope you can give me a few tips
thanks great site btw
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Paul,
Think you are referring to what we call the “Welcome Tab”. There are many ways to create one. Recently Facebook changed the way you do this to using iFrames. This post will help you: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/top-10-facebook-apps-for-building-custom-pages-tabs/
If this looks too complicated, and it can be, let me know so I can refer you to a colleague who creates stunning Welcome Tabs.
And thanks for your acknowledgement, much appreciated.
Best, Tina
Hey Tina,
Thank you for the invite to add our Fan Page URL addresses
I set up my Fan Page to promote my Illustration business so the profile picture is meant to tie in with that… see what you think anyway.
https://www.facebook.com/Graphic.Allsortz
Have a great day!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Wow Rachel,
Stunning! You are so talented to create graphics like that! Saw a graphic artist on Google+ share a humorous graphic on Fridays and thought what a great idea. Everyone loves a smile. May be a strategy for you on Google+ and Facebook? Have liked your Facebook Page. See you are sharing your work. Perfect platforms for you: Facebook and Google+. Oh, did you see you can upload pictures directly from Twitter too now? Best of success!
Thanks for the tips, this is ours:
http://www.facebook.com/LikeManApp
I’ve been battling with that “Your picture is too tall or wide – try picking something closer to a square” message. I am on my FaceBook Business Page and switched to “use FaceBook as my page” My picture is 180×540. So odd that it works for some and not for others.
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Rosi,
Sorry to hear you are frustrated. Agree with you, it is most odd! Maybe it’ll work if you try in a few days.
Wish I had a magic wand!
Best, Tina
Hi Tina,
I just stumbled across your website by accident and was really impressed! I just updated my Facebook Page profile pic yesterday in the hope of attracting a few more “Likes” or at least traffic to my page
)
I am just learning all about online marketing so I am keen to read up on your tips – about to sign up to the news letter
)
Thanks so much for sharing such great advice and suggestions!
All the best,
Rach
)
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Thanks Rachel,
I’ve found the best way to increase activity on my Facebook Page is to share info my fans will find useful at least once a day. There’s an excellent post by my mentor, Mari Smith, which will give you more ideas: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/21-creative-ways-to-increase-your-facebook-fanbase/
Appreciate you too, Tina
thank you for this! it was so easy once i knew what size to use!
i forgot to add the link!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pam-Cooley-Photography/58781686771
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Pam,
Good to hear you found easy and you have some gorgeous photographs on your Facebook Page. Did you know you can secure your User name for your Page by going here: http://www.facebook.com/username/ Just follow the prompts. This will give you a shorter URL for your Page and you can brand it with your business name.
[...] Make your Facebook Profile Picture Full-size :: Social Media … I get the “too tall or skinny” message, or it goes through the motions of uploading the picture, … [...]
I am getting the too wide or too long message. My Photoshop image size is 173 wide x 540 high. Here is a link to my FB page which showing my old photo. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Monograms-Plus-Custom-Screen-Printing-Embroidery/149595721721041
I have a local business page & I am signed in as administrator trying to change profile photo.
Thanks,
Sue
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Sue,
I know its frustrating when it won’t work for you. Did a quick test just to check if anything has changed on Facebook. My visual was exactly 180 pixels wide by 540 pixels high. It uploaded first time. If you make your Photoshop image exactly 180 x 540 px, it should work for you too.
Tina,
I’m having the same issue as the poster below me. I could really use your help as I am at a complete loss!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Michael,
Thanks for including the link to your Facebook Page. Looks like the logo is a low resolution and causing the break up. Suggest using a higher resolution or larger size logo, if you have.
Hi Tina,
I’m having the same issue of the logo becoming blurry when uploaded. It’s at 300 dpi in PS and I did a simple save as, instead of optimizing. I’ve tried every format and even went to web safe colors. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vapor-On-Site-Massage/244873142195756?success=1
Thanks!
K
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Ken,
300 dpi should be more than enough. I’m guessing as don’t know the process you went thru to create the logo. Did you enlarge your logo at any point? If you find a solution, please let us know. Best, Tina
Hi Tina,
Started out at 600×600 and reduced to 180×180. Also tried starting at 180. Still no luck. Can’t figure out why it’s so distorted …
Thanks,
Ken
Twitter: RobHolding
says:
DPI will not affect an image being displayed on screen.
DPI is only for printing.
When you create a new document in Photoshop, Set the DPI to 1 and the pixel dimensions to 180 x540.
Hello Tina
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us beginners…
I got right the size 180×540 px, but my image is blurry… I used photoshop which I am new too any tips?
Thanks for your help.
A.
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Arturo,
Photoshop can be a bit of a learning curve. Sounds like your photo resolution is causing the blurriness. If you send me a link to your photo I can check for you. Warmly, Tina
Twitter: davincidiva
says:
Hi Tina
Just thanked you on FB for this — I had NO idea it was so easy! Just went in photoshop and did it for http://www.facebook.com/davincidilemma. Thanks so much for sharing!
Lisa
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Lisa,
Great to hear from my ol’ Product Factory buddy! Your Facebook Page is very cool. Love the way you offer a coupon for your ebook. Added my Like to your Page as am a huge fan of your work. Will look for you on Google+, Best, Tina
This is great. I’ve been wondering this for a while and appreciate having the examples to check out!!
Hi! Our photo is 180×540 and fb keeps telling me to upload something that looks more like a square? It looks just like yours size-wise… please help
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Gosh Taryn, I know its confusing, as Facebook still refers to the vertical banner on your Page as your Page Profile Picture. This post is intended to help you maximize your visual branding of the vertical banner on your Facebook (Fan) Page. Sounds like you are working on your Personal Profile. If yes, then you need to upload a photograph of yourself and square-shaped. Does that help you?
I am trying to upload mine on a fan page and having the same issue. What could be the problem?
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Henry,
Without seeing, can’t say for sure. If you’d like to send me your link, can take a look. A friend of mine, Lisa, has just uploaded hers. You can see her comment above. I know can be frustrating at times.
Tina,
Many thanks for this information. Since FB changed the way the pages were set up etc, we have had a real headache changing our pages. The web has lots in info on this but its hard to find clear, concise, easy information on simply what to do and how.
Regards
Don
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
You are most welcome Don, thank you for your kind words.
Hi there, I have my banner done 180×540 but when i change my profile pic it stays thumbnail size. How do I get the banner to appear as the ones in this article. Thanks so much…I’m almost there:)
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Kim,
Can you send me the link to your Facebook Page so can take a look-see?
Hey, I’m having this same EXACT problem. How to fix?
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi there, can you send me the link to Facebook page?
[...] the optimum use of the display image(540*180) and brand your self on [...]
Hi Tina. This is great information! I had a wonderful time creating a larger, more striking page profile picture. Thanks for the advice!
I’m having trouble with my profile thumbnail however. It doesn’t start at the top of my profile picture (like the ones in your article do); instead it starts about 10-20% of the way down, cutting our picture in half and completely omitting our name. Do you have any idea how I can fix this?
Thanks
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi Karen,
You are most welcome. Think you have worked out how to move your picture so what you want shows in your thumbnail. Looks fabulous on your new Facebook Page. Congrats!
Just in case someone else needs to know: if you move your mouse over the top right corner of your new vertical banner, you’ll see “Change Picture”, click and then you’ll see below your visual “Edit Thumbnail”. You can move your image so the thumbnail displays what you want to be seen.
Can I use the vertical banner as my profile picture? Or it only works on the Fan Page? If I only can use on a Fan Page, what would be the maximum size for profile photos???
THANKS!!!
C
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Greetings C,
The vertical banner 540 x 180 pixels only works on your Fan Page.
For your Personal Profile Page, your profile picture needs to be at least 180 pixels wide. Suggest making your photo square so displays well in the thumbnail. I used the size 512 px wide by 570 px high. Works well and just a bit of the bottom of the photo was cropped for the thumbnail.
Does that help you?
Hello Tina!
Thanks for this very helpful information!
The vertical banner apparently does work on my personal page. I took an original image that was a lot larger and cropped a section with a size of 270 x 810 pixels (use Irfanview or Photoscape).
I chose this size on purpose because if FB in a way “needs to” scale down the original image for the profile page image than the scaling would be exactly 2/3 (0.6666). The resulting profile page image came out to be 180 x 539 with 96 DPI (checked with Irfanview).
I suspect that the face recognition that FB apparently applies automatically to (all??)images tries to center around the face (for example if there is a person and a logo or text section on the original image). It is noteworthy that the mini-thumbnail that appears next to wall posts and messages displays the eye.. (a fragment of the upper right part of the original image).
In any case, try to upload original images with multiples of the profile image size (for example 1.5 times 180 x 540 gives 270 x 810).
I’ll test with another image that has no facial features in order to see how that comes out.
Best Regards!
-Hermann-
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing this info. I don’t know Photoshop, but like you said, I have a friend who does, and ‘viola’
Will continue to read your blog and forward your helpful info. Thanks again!
http://www.facebook.com/kesacollections
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Congrats Elise, your Facebook page is doing so wonderfully! Must all that good energy!
[...] A couple, though, might not be so evident. One we think worth noting is his number six: “Review your Wall and profile image Do they attract attention? Are they memorable and recognizable? Are they easy to read? Does the wall image use all the available space – 540 pixels high and 180 pixels wide?” He also provides a link to Tina Cook’s blog, which provides some great examples of personalized profile images. [...]
[...] Does the wall image use all the available space – 540 pixels high and 180 pixels wide? This blog post from Tina Cook has some great examples that may inspire [...]
[...] Does the wall image use all the available space – 540 pixels high and 180 pixels wide? This blog post from Tina Cook has some great examples that may inspire [...]
Twitter: bernardcatering
says:
Another little thing Facebook doesn’t tell us. Thankfully we have awesome guides like you to tell us. I just wonder when they’ll change it…again!! :/ I did a profile pic to a biz page once and FB said it was “too narrow”. They are so particular!
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Thanks Pascale,
So far so good. Facebook hasn’t changed.
I have tried EVERY size suggestion listed here to get my FB Profile banner picture to load. I get the “too tall or skinny” message, or it goes through the motions of uploading the picture, but doesn’t actually do anything.
Help, please
http://www.facebook.com/zumbawithmc
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Hi there,
Just done a quick test and all is working well for me. Strange you are battling. Is your visual 180 px wide by 540 px high? Facebook allows a max file size of 4MB. Hope you have success.
هذا شرح رائع جدا …. شكرا
it is very good … thanks
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Thank you, good to hear from you.
http://www.facebook.com/ScooterNerds
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Cool idea to include your QR code in your picture!
Twitter: blackballonline
says:
Thanks for this. We have been painfully slow in doing anything with FB since the old FBML days. This is a great article and I passed it on to our designer. Keep em coming
Twitter: TinaCook
says:
Thanks Dave, much appreciated.