X (Twitter) Headers: Need Inspiration?

Over the years, X’s header image has evolved, including its size, resolution, and how to update it. Below are a few tips on optimizing the header feature, as well as some examples that are sure to inspire you.

Change your photo: To change your header image, or to add one if you haven’t already, log into X (Twitter) and click on the ‘profile’ button on the left-hand side. Click on the ‘edit profile’ button just below the header image on the right side, and then the camera icon located in the middle of the header section to add your photo. The minimum dimensions are 1500×500 pixels and the file can’t be larger than 10 MB.

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Pay attention to your profile picture: Your profile picture sits on the bottom left side of the header covering part of it. If your header image has important elements near the left edge (like text, logos, or graphics), they could be fully or partially covered by your profile picture. Therefore, it’s important to keep parts of your header that you want to be seen in the upper, middle or right side of your header.

Add text to your header image: Do you have an event /contact info/promotion/call to action that you want to promote? You can add it directly into your header as a text overlay when designing your image. This is a great way to ensure your audience sees it immediately when visiting your profile. Use graphic design tools like Photoshop or Canva to overlay text in a way that’s both visually appealing and easy to read. Just be mindful of balancing text with your image so it doesn’t feel too cluttered. 

Tell everyone when you change it: Your existing followers probably don’t visit your profile page very often, so be sure to make a post about your new header image with the hashtag #newheader or #newheaderpic.

Check out some of our favourite uses of the X header image below:

The NFL is uses their header to promote upcoming games.

Selena Gomez uses her header to promote her latest songs.

Sesame Street uses their header to tell viewers where to watch.

Air Transat uses its header to display recent awards. They’ve abided by the safe zone to ensure words and imagery are in the centre of their header and not blocked by the profile picture.

Burger King uses its header to display new menu items. It’s a great example of using the real estate for promotion.

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WRITTEN BY

Jen McDonnell

Jen is the Vice President of Content and Social Media at Reshift Media, where she manages a team responsible for the social strategies for several national and international brands. She has a strong content background, having previously worked in online journalism for 10 years. Her articles have been published in the National Post, the Ottawa Citizen, the Vancouver Province, the Calgary Herald, Flare, and more.