Substack
Last updated:
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.
Publication Logo
1:1 · Image
512 x 512 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
Post Cover (Recommended)
- Dimensions:
- 1500 x 1000 px
- Aspect Ratio:
- 3:2
- Format:
- Image
Post Cover (Wide Alt)
- Dimensions:
- 1600 x 900 px
- Aspect Ratio:
- 16:9
- Format:
- Image
Publication Logo
- Dimensions:
- 512 x 512 px
- Aspect Ratio:
- 1:1
- Format:
- Image
Header Banner
- Dimensions:
- 2560 x 1280 px
- Aspect Ratio:
- 2:1
- Format:
- Image
| 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 |
| Publication Logo | 512 x 512 px | 1:1 | Image |
| 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?
Square at 512×512 or larger. Substack uses it across the app, web, and email headers, so keep it simple enough to read at small sizes.
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.