How to Make Instagram Highlight Covers: Free Templates & Tutorial
TL;DR - Quick Answer
7 min readTips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.
Quick Answer: Make Highlight Covers
Fastest method: Open Canva → Search "Instagram Highlight Cover" → Pick template → Customize → Download PNG → Upload to Instagram
Takes about 2 minutes per cover.
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Start your free trialMethod 1: Use Canva (Free)
Step 1: Create Design
- Open canva.com or Canva app
- Search "Instagram Highlight Cover"
- Pick any template you like
Step 2: Customize
- Change background color to match your brand
- Swap the icon (click it → search new icon)
- Keep it centered and simple
Step 3: Download
- Click Share → Download
- Select PNG
- Save to your phone
What size are Instagram highlight covers?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Method 2: Use Free Templates
Grab pre-made covers from these sources:
Download, customize colors if needed, upload.
How to Add Covers to Instagram
For existing highlights:
- Go to your profile
- Long press the highlight
- Tap Edit Highlight
- Tap Edit Cover
- Tap the image icon (bottom left)
- Select your cover from camera roll
- Center it and tap Done
For new highlights:
- Tap the + under your bio
- Select stories to include
- Tap Next
- Name it, tap Edit Cover
- Choose your custom image
- Done
Cover Design Essentials
Center Your Icon
Edges get cropped into a circle
Keep It Simple
Icons display very small
Match Your Brand
Use consistent colors
Test at Small Size
Check visibility before uploading
Design Styles That Work
Minimalist Icons Clean icons on solid backgrounds. Works for most accounts.
Branded Colors Your brand palette with white icons. Professional look.
Photo Covers Cropped photos with same filter. Great for photographers.
Text Covers 1-2 words instead of icons. Works for service businesses.
How many highlights should you have on your profile?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Highlight Ideas by Account Type
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too detailed icons They display tiny. Stick to simple shapes.
Inconsistent style Mix of styles looks messy. Pick one and stick with it.
Off-center icons Gets cropped weird. Always center.
Low contrast Icon blends into background. Use contrasting colors.
Free Tools Quick Reference
Troubleshooting
Cover looks blurry?
- Use 1080x1920 pixels
- Download as PNG, not JPG
- Don't stretch small images
Cover not changing?
- Force close Instagram
- Clear cache
- Try uploading as story first, then set as cover
Circle crop looks wrong?
- Recenter your icon
- Add more margin around it
- Test before finalizing
What file format is best for highlight covers?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Quick Checklist
Before uploading your covers:
- Icons are centered
- Colors match your brand
- Style is consistent across all covers
- Downloaded as PNG at 1080x1920
- Tested at small size (still readable?)
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