Medium
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Medium scales images across article pages and social shares. Favor wide, high-contrast covers with minimal text and a single focal point. Keep logos simple for profile use and export gently compressed JPG/PNG.
Best Practices
- Use wide hero images (16:9 or 3:2) at 1400px+ width.
- Minimize on-image text; keep it readable on phones.
- Export JPEG/PNG with gentle compression to avoid banding.
- Keep logos simple and centered for profile uses.
- Test images in dark and light themes.
Pro Tips
- Crop for a clear subject in the top half of the frame.
- Use plain backgrounds or subtle gradients behind type.
- Be consistent with cover style across a series.
- Add alt text for accessibility and SEO.
- Preview social share (OG) rendering.
Visual Previews
Article Header (Recommended)
16:9 · Image
1400 x 788 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Article Header (3:2 Alt)
3:2 · Image
1500 x 1000 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Profile/Publication Logo
1:1 · Image
512 x 512 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Sizes
Article Header (Recommended)
- Dimensions:
- 1400 x 788 px
- Aspect Ratio:
- 16:9
- Format:
- Image
Article Header (3:2 Alt)
- Dimensions:
- 1500 x 1000 px
- Aspect Ratio:
- 3:2
- Format:
- Image
Profile/Publication Logo
- Dimensions:
- 512 x 512 px
- Aspect Ratio:
- 1:1
- Format:
- Image
| Type | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Article Header (Recommended) | 1400 x 788 px | 16:9 | Image |
| Article Header (3:2 Alt) | 1500 x 1000 px | 3:2 | Image |
| Profile/Publication Logo | 512 x 512 px | 1:1 | Image |
FAQ
What size works for Medium article headers?
At least 1400 px wide. 16:9 (1400×788) is a versatile default that looks good on the article page and in Open Graph previews when shared.
What size should a Medium profile logo be?
Square, 512×512 or larger. Medium displays it as a circle in most surfaces so keep subjects centered with breathing room around the edges.
Does Medium have image safe zones?
Not typically. Just avoid edge-hugging text and keep a clean center, since responsive layouts may crop the sides on narrow viewports.
Should I use 16:9 or 3:2 for article headers?
16:9 (1400×788) matches social previews best; 3:2 (1500×1000) leaves more vertical space for mood and storytelling. Either works — just be consistent across a series.
What's the best file format for Medium images?
JPEG for photography and gradients, PNG for screenshots and text-heavy graphics. Medium re-encodes uploads, so start with high-quality sources to avoid visible banding.
Do I need alt text on Medium images?
Yes. Medium lets you add alt text and captions per image — it improves accessibility, SEO, and screen reader support.