Substack needs clean images that survive email. Use high-contrast covers that read small and keep overlays minimal—subjects lines do the heavy lifting. Keep logos simple and centered for headers and social shares.
Best Practices
Use large, uncluttered cover images that read on mobile.
Keep on-image text minimal; let the subject line do the work.
Export sharp JPEG/PNG with gentle compression.
Center logos; avoid edge-hugging details in headers.
Test in light/dark backgrounds for contrast.
Pro Tips
Prefer photos/graphics with clear focal points.
Leave generous padding if adding text overlays.
Use consistent color/typography across issues.
Check how the image renders in email previews.
Upload at native aspect to reduce re-compression.
Visual Previews
Post Cover (Recommended)
3:2 · Image
1500 x 1000 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Post Cover (Wide Alt)
16:9 · Image
1600 x 900 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Social / Preview Image
1.91:1 · Image
1200 x 630 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Publication Logo
1:1 · Image (min 256×256)
512 x 512 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Word Mark
21:4 · PNG (transparent)
1344 x 256 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Email Banner
5:1 · PNG (transparent)
1100 x 220 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Header Banner
2:1 · Image
2560 x 1280 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Sizes
Tap a size to see its safe zones.
Post Cover (Recommended)
1500×1000 · 3:2 · Image
Post Cover (Recommended)
3:2 · Image
1500 x 1000 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Post Cover (Wide Alt)
1600×900 · 16:9 · Image
Post Cover (Wide Alt)
16:9 · Image
1600 x 900 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Social / Preview Image
1200×630 · 1.91:1 · Image
Social / Preview Image
1.91:1 · Image
1200 x 630 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Publication Logo
512×512 · 1:1 · Image (min 256×256)
Publication Logo
1:1 · Image (min 256×256)
512 x 512 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Word Mark
1344×256 · 21:4 · PNG (transparent)
Word Mark
21:4 · PNG (transparent)
1344 x 256 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Email Banner
1100×220 · 5:1 · PNG (transparent)
Email Banner
5:1 · PNG (transparent)
1100 x 220 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Header Banner
2560×1280 · 2:1 · Image
Header Banner
2:1 · Image
2560 x 1280 px
Preview shows relative aspect only. Export at the listed resolution for best quality.
Type
Dimensions
Aspect Ratio
Format
Post Cover (Recommended)
1500 x 1000 px
3:2
Image
Post Cover (Wide Alt)
1600 x 900 px
16:9
Image
Social / Preview Image
1200 x 630 px
1.91:1
Image
Publication Logo
512 x 512 px
1:1
Image (min 256×256)
Word Mark
1344 x 256 px
21:4
PNG (transparent)
Email Banner
1100 x 220 px
5:1
PNG (transparent)
Header Banner
2560 x 1280 px
2:1
Image
FAQ
What image size should I use for a Substack post cover?
A clean 3:2 image at 1500×1000 or wider. 16:9 (1600×900) also works well and matches social share previews on X and LinkedIn.
How big should my Substack publication logo be?
Substack's minimum is 256×256 with a transparent background, but upload 512×512 or larger so it stays sharp on high-DPI screens. It appears across the app, web, and email headers, so keep it simple enough to read small.
Does Substack have safe zones?
Not strict ones. The platform layout is minimal — just center content and keep edges clean so covers render well in email, the app, and on the web.
What's the best Substack header banner size?
2560×1280 at 2:1. Keep your wordmark or tagline centered since the banner crops on mobile.
Will my post cover show up in the email version?
Yes — the post cover is included as the header image in the email. Test how it looks in Gmail and Apple Mail before publishing since some clients strip wide images.
What file format is best for Substack covers?
JPG for photography and gradients, PNG for graphics with flat color or text. Keep files under ~500 KB for fast email delivery.
Substack Media Dimensions | SpecSocial
Substack
Post Cover (Recommended): 1500 x 1000 px • Post Cover (Wide Alt): 1600 x 900 px • Social / Preview Image: 1200 x 630 px • Publication Logo: 512 x 512 px • Word Mark: 1344 x 256 px • Email Banner: 1100 x 220 px • Header Banner: 2560 x 1280 px
Use large, uncluttered cover images that read on mobile. • Keep on-image text minimal; let the subject line do the work. • Export sharp JPEG/PNG with gentle compression. • Center logos; avoid edge-hugging details in headers. • Test in light/dark backgrounds for contrast.
Prefer photos/graphics with clear focal points. • Leave generous padding if adding text overlays. • Use consistent color/typography across issues. • Check how the image renders in email previews. • Upload at native aspect to reduce re-compression.
