The short version: Canva, Adobe Express, Figma and Kapwing all have free YouTube banner templates. Whichever you use, upload at least 2048 by 1152 pixels and keep your name, logo and any text inside YouTube's safe area of 1235 by 338 pixels, because the rest of the banner gets cropped on some devices.
Your banner is the first thing people see when they land on your channel. It tells them who you are and what you post before they've watched a second of video. A free template gets you most of the way there, as long as you know which part of it will show.
Where to get free YouTube banner templates
In no particular order, each one best for a different job:
- Canva: best for quick, branded banners with your colours and fonts.
- Adobe Express: best for mixing your photos with stock images and text effects.
- Figma: best if you already design in Figma and want full control.
- Kapwing: best if you're already editing your videos there.
- Microsoft Designer: best for generating layout ideas you can then refine.
Banner template tools side by side
| Tool | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Canva | Branded banners | Check its template is at least 2048 by 1152 pixels |
| Adobe Express | Photo-led banners | Check its template is at least 2048 by 1152 pixels |
| Figma | Full design control | Set your own frame to YouTube's size |
| Kapwing | Video creators | Handy if your editing already lives there |
| Microsoft Designer | Layout ideas | Refine the result before you upload |
YouTube's own banner rules
YouTube's help centre sets out the numbers. The minimum dimension for upload is 2048 by 1152 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. At that minimum, the safe area for text and logos is 1235 by 338 pixels. The recommended dimension, especially for TV, is 2560 by 1440 pixels, and the file should be 6MB or smaller.
YouTube also says not to add file embellishments such as shadows, borders and frames. So if the template you pick has a decorative edge or drop shadow, take it off before you export.
The safe area catch
Here's what trips people up. YouTube says the same banner image is used across computer, mobile and TV displays, but it shows differently depending on the device. The image should fill the whole screen on larger devices, but it gets cropped on certain views and devices.
In practice that means the full template you see in Canva or Adobe Express isn't what most people see. On a phone, only a narrow strip across the middle survives. So put your channel name, your tagline and your face or logo in that central safe area, and treat everything outside it as background colour or texture you don't mind losing.
If you're using a template, look for one with a safe area guide built in, or draw a box of 1235 by 338 pixels in the middle of your design before you start placing text.
How to make and upload your banner
- Open a YouTube banner template at 2560 by 1440 pixels, or at least 2048 by 1152.
- Mark the central safe area of 1235 by 338 pixels.
- Put your channel name, tagline and logo inside the safe area only.
- Remove any shadows, borders or frames that came with the template.
- Export as an image of 6MB or smaller.
- In YouTube Studio, go to Customization, then Profile, click Change next to the banner, adjust the crop, click Done and then Publish.
What to put on your banner
Keep it simple. A good banner answers one question: why should someone subscribe? Your name, a short line about what you post and maybe when you post it are plenty. If you've got a face that people know from your thumbnails, use it, because recognition matters more than clever design.
Match your banner to your thumbnails and profile picture so your whole channel feels like one brand. If you're still setting the channel up, here's how to create a YouTube channel for a business, and for the images people see most, here's what size YouTube thumbnails should be.
One more tip: check your banner on your own phone, laptop and, if you can, a TV after you publish. YouTube shows the preview while you crop, but seeing it on a real screen is the only way to be sure nothing important is hidden.
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Banner mistakes to avoid
- Tiny text that's unreadable on a phone. If you have to zoom to read it, it's too small.
- Important details placed near the edges, outside the safe area.
- A busy photo behind your channel name, which makes the name hard to read.
- A banner that promises one kind of content when your videos are about something else.
When to update your banner
Your banner doesn't have to stay the same forever. Refresh it when you change your posting schedule, launch a new series or rebrand, so the promise at the top of your channel matches what people will find there. Just keep the same colours and fonts so returning viewers still recognise you.
My verdict: use any free template you like, but design for the safe area first and the full canvas second. That's the difference between a banner that looks great in the editor and one that looks great on a phone.
Run a free YouTube banner maker that belongs on this list? See how to get it featured.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free YouTube banner templates?
Canva, Adobe Express, Figma, Kapwing and Microsoft Designer all offer free YouTube banner templates or layouts.
What size should a YouTube banner be?
YouTube says the minimum upload size is 2048 by 1152 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and recommends 2560 by 1440 pixels, especially for TV.
What is the YouTube banner safe area?
At the minimum size, YouTube says the safe area for text and logos is 1235 by 338 pixels.
How big can a YouTube banner file be?
YouTube says the banner file should be 6MB or smaller.
Should my banner have shadows or borders?
No. YouTube says not to include additional file embellishments such as shadows, borders and frames.
Why is my YouTube banner cropped on my phone?
YouTube uses the same banner across computer, mobile and TV, but it shows differently by device and gets cropped on certain views, so keep key content in the safe area.
