Discord Banner Size Guide (2026)
Complete reference for all Discord banner dimensions — server banners, profile banners, animated banners, and more. With Boost requirements, upload steps, and design tips.
Discord offers four different types of banners to customize your server and profile. Each has different dimensions, file requirements, and feature gates. Getting these wrong means blurry images, awkward cropping, or upload rejections.
This guide covers the exact specifications for every Discord banner type in 2026, sourced directly from Discord's official documentation and support articles.
Quick Specs — All Discord Banner Types
| Banner Type | Size (px) | Aspect Ratio | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server Banner | 960 × 540 | 16:9 | Boost Level 2+ |
| Profile Banner | 680 × 240 | ~17:6 | Nitro subscription |
| Server Guide Banner | 960 × 540 | 16:9 | Boost Level 2 + Onboarding |
| Server Profile Banner | 1000 × 400 | 5:2 | Any server |
Sources: Discord Support — Server Banners; Whop — Discord banner size guide [2026]
Server Banner Size: 960 × 540 Pixels
The server banner is the most visible banner in Discord. It appears at the top of your channel list and is the first thing members see when they open your server.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Recommended Size | 960 × 540 pixels |
| High-Res Option | 1920 × 1080 pixels (auto-resized) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| File Formats | PNG, JPG, or GIF |
| Max File Size | 10 MB |
| Boost Requirement | Server Boost Level 2 |
| Animated Support | GIF at Boost Level 3 |
Source: Discord Support — Server Banners (support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028716472)
According to Discord's official support documentation, uploading at 1920 × 1080 pixels is recommended for the sharpest result. Discord automatically scales it down to fit the banner area. If you upload at exactly 960 × 540, it works but may appear slightly softer due to compression.
The top 48 pixels of your server banner are overlaid by the server name. Keep this area free of important text or logos. Discord's own guidelines specifically recommend keeping this zone "fairly simple and free of any busy imagery" so the server title remains readable.
Profile Banner Size: 680 × 240 Pixels
Your profile banner appears behind your avatar when someone views your user profile. It's a personal customization that requires a Discord Nitro subscription (Nitro Basic does not include profile banners).
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Recommended Size | 680 × 240 pixels |
| File Formats | PNG, JPG, or GIF |
| Max File Size | 10 MB |
| Requirement | Nitro subscription (not Nitro Basic) |
| Animated Support | GIF supported with Nitro |
Source: Whop — Discord banner size guide [2026] (whop.com/blog/discord-banner-sizing)
One important detail: your profile picture overlaps the bottom-left corner of the banner. Avoid placing important elements in that area. If you're designing a custom banner, leave the bottom-left quadrant relatively simple.
Desktop vs Mobile Cropping
Profile banners display differently across devices. On mobile, the full 680 × 240 image is visible. On desktop, Discord crops the top and bottom, showing only the center ~300 pixels of width. Keep critical content (logos, text) centered vertically to avoid being cut off.
Server Guide Banner Size: 960 × 540 Pixels
The server guide banner appears in your server's onboarding section — the "Server Guide" at the top of the channel list. It shares the same dimensions as the server banner but has a different display context.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Recommended Size | 960 × 540 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Max File Size | 10 MB |
| Requirement | Boost Level 2 + Onboarding enabled |
Source: Whop — Discord banner size guide [2026]
The server guide banner has rounded corners, and your server icon overlaps the bottom-left portion. Design accordingly — avoid placing important visuals in that area.
Server Profile Banner Size: 1000 × 400 Pixels
Server profile banners appear on the Discord Discover page and when users click on server tags. Unlike the other banner types, this one is available to any server without Boost requirements.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Recommended Size | 1000 × 400 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 5:2 |
| Max File Size | 10 MB |
| Requirement | None (available to all servers) |
Source: Whop — Discord banner size guide [2026]
Discord also provides 10 gradient color presets as alternatives to a custom image. However, a custom banner makes your server profile stand out significantly more on the Discover page.
Avoid adding text to your server profile banner. The server profile already displays your server name, description, games, and traits — additional text on the banner creates visual clutter.
Animated Discord Banners
Discord supports animated GIF banners in two places: profile banners (with Nitro) and server banners (at Boost Level 3). Here's how animated server banners behave, per Discord's documentation:
- Plays for 5 seconds on load — the animation runs when the server first loads, then pauses
- Replays on scroll — if the banner scrolls out of view and back, it animates for another 5 seconds
- Animates on hover — hovering over the banner triggers the animation
- Respects reduced motion — users with the reduced motion accessibility setting enabled will see a static first frame
If your server drops from Boost Level 3 to Level 2, the animated banner automatically becomes static. Discord displays the first frame of the GIF. The original file is preserved, so the animation returns if you regain Level 3.
Discord Server Boost Requirements for Banners
Different banner features unlock at different Boost levels. Here's a summary:
| Feature | Boost Level Required |
|---|---|
| Server Banner (static) | Level 2 (7 Boosts) |
| Server Guide Banner | Level 2 (7 Boosts) |
| Animated Server Banner (GIF) | Level 3 (14 Boosts) |
| Profile Banner | Nitro (no Boost needed) |
| Server Profile Banner | None |
Source: Discord Support — Server Boosting FAQ (support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028038352)
Discord Partner servers also get access to the server banner perk without needing Boost Level 2.
How to Upload a Discord Banner
Server Banner
You need the "Manage Server" or "Administrator" permission to upload a server banner.
- Go to Server Settings > Overview
- Scroll down to Server Banner Background
- Click Upload Banner and select your image (960 × 540 or larger)
- Click Save Changes
Profile Banner
- Desktop: Go to Settings > Edit User Profile > click the banner area to upload
- Mobile: Tap your avatar (bottom right) > Edit Profile > tap the banner area
Server Guide Banner
- Go to Server Settings > Onboarding > Server Guide
- Find Server Guide Banner at the bottom
- Upload your image
Design Tips for Discord Banners
- Upload at maximum resolution — use 1920 × 1080 for server banners. Discord compresses all uploads, so starting higher gives better results
- Keep the top 48px clear — the server name overlays this area on server banners
- Avoid text on banners — Discord already displays server names and descriptions; extra text creates clutter
- Use subtle, representative imagery — key art, character stills, or atmospheric backgrounds work best
- Test on both desktop and mobile — profile banners crop differently across devices
- For animated banners, keep motion subtle — the banner only plays briefly; fast or complex animations look jarring in the 5-second window
Discord compresses PNG and JPG server banners but applies less compression to GIF files. If your static banner looks too pixelated after upload, try converting it to a single-frame GIF as a workaround.
Common Issues & Fixes
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Banner looks pixelated | Discord compression | Upload at 1920x1080 (2x resolution), or use GIF format for less compression |
| Banner option grayed out | Boost Level too low | Server needs Boost Level 2 (7 Boosts) for static banners |
| Animated banner not playing | Boost Level dropped to 2, or user has reduced motion enabled | Regain Boost Level 3 for animated support; respect accessibility settings |
| Important content cut off | Server name overlays top 48px | Redesign to keep the top area simple and free of logos/text |
| Profile banner cropped on desktop | Desktop shows center crop only | Keep important content centered vertically in the image |
| Upload rejected | File exceeds 10 MB | Compress or resize the image — our Discord Banner Resizer can help |
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Discord server banner?
The recommended size for a Discord server banner is 960x540 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. You can also upload 1920x1080 pixels and Discord will automatically resize it. The maximum file size is 10 MB. Source: Discord Support — Server Banners (support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028716472).
What size is a Discord profile banner?
Discord profile banners are 680x240 pixels. They require a Discord Nitro subscription (not Nitro Basic). Both static images and animated GIFs are supported, with a 10 MB file size limit.
Do I need Nitro for a Discord banner?
It depends on the banner type. Profile banners require a Nitro subscription. Server banners require Server Boost Level 2 (no personal Nitro needed). Animated server banners require Boost Level 3.
Can I have an animated Discord banner?
Yes. Profile banners support animated GIFs with any Nitro subscription. Server banners support animated GIFs at Boost Level 3. At Level 2, server banners are static only. Animated banners play for 5 seconds on load, then animate on hover. Source: Discord Support — Server Banners.
Why does my Discord banner look blurry or pixelated?
Discord compresses all uploaded banner images. To minimize compression artifacts, upload at the highest recommended resolution (1920x1080 for server banners) and use PNG format for static images. GIF files receive less compression than PNG/JPG.
What aspect ratio should my Discord banner be?
Server banners use a 16:9 aspect ratio (960x540 or 1920x1080). Profile banners use approximately a 17:6 ratio (680x240). Always match the exact recommended dimensions to avoid cropping or distortion.
How do I resize an image for a Discord banner?
Use our free Discord Banner Resizer tool to automatically resize and crop any image to the correct Discord banner dimensions. Upload your image and download the optimized result in seconds.
What happens to my animated banner if my server loses Boost Level 3?
If your server drops from Boost Level 3 to Level 2, the animated banner automatically becomes static — Discord will display the first frame of the GIF instead. Your original file is preserved, so the animation returns if you regain Level 3. Source: Discord Support — Server Banners.
Sources
- Discord Support — Server Banners — Official server banner specs, animated banner behavior, and upload guidelines
- Discord Support — Server Boosting FAQ — Boost levels and associated perks
- Discord Support — What are Nitro & Nitro Basic? — Nitro subscription features including profile customization
- Whop — Discord banner size: Complete updated guide [2026] — Profile banner dimensions (680x240), server profile banner (1000x400), and templates
- TacticalLionDesigns — Discord Banner, PFP & Icon Sizes (2025) — Desktop vs mobile cropping behavior for profile banners