YouTube Profile Picture Dimensions
The recommended YouTube profile picture upload size is 800 × 800 pixels. YouTube accepts files up to 4 MB but rescales anything larger down to 800 × 800.
Where the Profile Picture Displays
| Location | Display Size |
|---|---|
| Channel page header (banner overlap) | 98 × 98 px |
| Video player (next to channel name) | 60 × 60 px |
| Search results | 68 × 68 px |
| Notifications | 44 × 44 px |
| Comments | 20 × 20 px |
Most appearances are between 20 and 68 px. Design for legibility at 20 × 20 — that's where most viewers see it.
Circular Crop
YouTube displays profile pictures inside a circle. Even though you upload a square, the corners get clipped. Keep faces, logos, and key visuals in the center 80% of the square.
File Format
- PNG: Logos, sharp graphics, illustrations
- JPG: Photos and headshots
- GIF: Allowed, but only the first frame displays — animation not supported
- BMP: Allowed, no advantage over PNG
Save in sRGB color mode at under 1 MB.
Tips for a High-Quality YouTube Profile Picture
- Upload at 800 × 800 px for retina sharpness
- Keep faces and logos in the center 80% — corners get clipped
- Test legibility at 20 × 20 — most viewers see it that small
- Use PNG for logos, JPG for photos
- Save in sRGB and pre-compress for fast loading
- For brand consistency, match the colors and style of your banner
- Need 1:1 cropping help? Use our image resizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the YouTube profile picture size?
YouTube profile pictures are uploaded at 800 × 800 pixels. They display at 98 × 98 px on the channel page and as small as 20 × 20 px in comments. Always upload the full 800 × 800 for retina sharpness.
What size should I upload for a YouTube profile picture?
Upload at 800 × 800 pixels. YouTube accepts up to 4 MB but typically rescales any larger upload down to 800 × 800 anyway. Anything smaller will look soft on the channel page header.
Why does my YouTube profile picture get cropped?
YouTube displays profile pictures inside a circle. Even though you upload a square, the corners get clipped — about 10-15% at each corner is invisible. Place faces, logos, and key content in the center 80% of the square.
What is the YouTube channel icon?
YouTube uses "profile picture" and "channel icon" interchangeably — they refer to the same image. It appears in your channel header, video player, comments, search results, and notifications.
Can I use an animated GIF as my YouTube profile picture?
No. YouTube does not support animated profile pictures. If you upload a GIF, only the first frame displays. Use a static PNG or JPG instead.
What is the minimum size for a YouTube profile picture?
The minimum is 98 × 98 pixels but anything smaller than 800 × 800 will look pixelated on retina displays. Always upload at 800 × 800 minimum.
Where does the YouTube profile picture appear?
It appears in five places: channel page header / banner overlap (98 × 98 px), video page next to your name (60 × 60 px), search results (68 × 68 px), comments (20 × 20 px), and notifications (44 × 44 px). Make sure it reads at 20 × 20.
What file format should I use for a YouTube profile picture?
Use PNG for logos and sharp graphics — PNG keeps edges crisp at small sizes. Use JPG for photos. Save in sRGB at under 1 MB. Avoid GIF (only first frame shows) and BMP (no advantage over PNG).