YouTube profile picture size
YouTube recommends a square picture of 800 × 800 px and shows it as a circle of 98 × 98 px on your channel. Next to your videos, in search results and in comments it is smaller still.
| What | YouTube |
|---|---|
| Shape | Square, 1:1. YouTube shows it as a circle |
| Recommended size | 800 × 800 px |
| Shown on your channel | 98 × 98 px |
| Format | JPG, PNG, BMP or GIF |
| Animated GIF | Not allowed |
Why 800 px when YouTube shows 98 px
Phones, large monitors and TV screens show far more pixels than the 98 px circle suggests. An 800 × 800 px file covers all of them, which is why YouTube recommends it and why the tool starts there.
Small next to every video
Most people see your picture at a fraction of its size, beside a video title or a comment. One face or one simple logo reads at that size; small text and busy details do not. Check the small previews in the tool before you download.
What the circle cuts off
The circle keeps the middle of the square and hides its four corners, about a fifth of the picture. Keep your face in the middle, leave some room above your hair, and let your shoulders run out at the bottom. Text and logos near the edge are cut off.
When the photo itself is the problem
A resizer cannot fix a photo that is too small, too dark or cut off at the forehead. If you have no better picture, a professional headshot made from a few selfies gives you one that fits the circle from the start.