How to Add a Cover Photo on Pinterest

Your Pinterest cover photo is the billboard for your brand, the first thing people see when they land on your profile. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add or change your cover photo, give you the correct specs, and share some creative ideas to make your profile stand out.

What Exactly Is a Pinterest Cover Photo?

Think of your Pinterest cover as the welcome mat to your profile. It's the large, horizontal banner image that sits at the very top, right behind your profile picture and name. While your Pins get discovered in the main feed, your profile is where engaged followers and potential customers come to see what you're all about. A great cover photo transforms your profile from a simple "collection of Pins" into a cohesive, branded destination.

Why does it matter so much? Because a well-chosen cover photo does three important things instantly:

• It sets the tone. The right visual immediately communicates your brand's personality - whether it's minimalist and modern, rustic and cozy, or bright and energetic.
• It establishes credibility. A polished, high-quality cover photo signals professionalism. It shows you care about the details, which builds trust with your audience.
• It provides context. It gives visitors a glimpse into what you offer. For a food blogger, it might be a beautiful spread of their recipes. For an e-commerce brand, it could be a lifestyle shot of their products in action.

Leaving the default gray space or a random collage of your latest Pins is a missed opportunity. Customizing your cover photo is a simple change that has a big impact on how your brand is perceived on the platform.

Pinterest Cover Photo Specs and Best Practices

Before you jump into design, it's good to know the technical requirements and best practices. Getting these right from the start will save you from uploading a blurry or poorly cropped image.

Pinterest Cover Photo Size and Dimensions

Pinterest is flexible, but for the best results, stick to these guidelines:

• Recommended Dimensions: At least 800 pixels wide by 450 pixels tall.
• Aspect Ratio: A 16:9 aspect ratio is the goal. If your image is taller, you'll be able to reposition it, but a wide image works best.
• File Type: You can use a static image (JPG, PNG) or a video (MP4, MOV). GIFs are also supported.
• Image File Size: Keep image files under 10 MB to avoid upload issues.
• Video File Size: Videos must be between 4 seconds and 5 minutes long and no larger than 2 GB.

Key Design Best Practices

Creating an effective cover is about more than just finding a pretty picture. Follow these tips to create a banner that truly represents your brand.

• Keep Your Profile Picture in Mind: Your round profile picture is centered on top of the cover photo on both desktop and mobile. Avoid placing any text, logos, or must-see visual elements in the bottom center area where they will be covered up.
• Use High-Resolution Imagery: Nothing says "unprofessional" faster than a pixelated, blurry image. Always use a high-quality photo or graphic that looks crisp and clear on large desktop screens.
• Stay On Brand: Your cover photo should feel like a natural extension of your brand's visual identity. Use your brand colors, fonts, and photography style to create a consistent look across your website, other social media profiles, and Pinterest.
• Keep It Simple: Your cover photo is a background element, not an advertisement. Cluttering it with too much text or multiple competing visuals can be distracting. A single, powerful image or a clean graphic design is often most effective.
• Optimize for Mobile: Most Pinterest users are on their phones. Before you finalize your design, double-check how it will crop and appear on a smaller, vertical screen. On mobile, the sides of the image are often cropped more heavily, so keep your most important visual information centered.

How to Add a Cover Photo on Pinterest (Desktop)

Ready to update your profile? Adding or changing your cover photo on a desktop computer takes less than a minute. Here’s a simple step-by-step walkthrough.

1. Log into your Pinterest business account.
2. Navigate to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Hover your mouse over the cover photo area. A pencil icon and a "Change Cover" button will appear. Click the pencil icon.
4. A pop-up will appear giving you two options: choose Pins to create a collage or upload your own image or video. For a custom branded look, select "Upload a photo or video."
5. Select an image or video from your computer. Again, make sure it’s at least 800 x 450 pixels.
6. After the image uploads, you can drag it up or down to reposition it perfectly within the frame.
7. Once you're happy with the position, click the "Done" button to save your new cover.

That's it! Your profile is instantly updated with your new, vibrant cover design.

How to Change Your Pinterest Cover Photo (Mobile App)

Updating your cover on the go is just as easy using the Pinterest mobile app for iOS or Android. The steps are slightly different, but the process is very straightforward.

1. Open the Pinterest app on your phone and log in.
2. Tap on your profile picture icon in the bottom-right corner of the navigation bar to go to your profile.
3. At the top of your profile, tap the pencil icon that appears over your current cover photo. (If you don't see it, try tapping the three dots in the top right and selecting "Edit Profile").
4. Tapping the pencil icon will open your phone's photo library.
5. Select the new photo you want to use as your cover.
6. You can pinch to zoom and drag to reposition the image until it looks just right.
7. Once you are satisfied, tap "Done." Your new cover photo will immediately appear on your profile.

5 Creative Ideas for Your Pinterest Cover Photo

Stuck on what kind of image to use? You don't have to just use a generic stock photo. Your cover photo is a strategic brand asset. Here are five creative ideas to inspire you.

1. Showcase Your Products in Action

If you sell physical products, the cover photo is the perfect place to show them off in a real-world setting. Instead of a sterile product-on-white-background shot, use a lifestyle photo. A furniture brand could show a beautifully decorated living room, while a clothing company might use an image from their latest photoshoot.

2. Create a Visual Mission Statement

For service-based businesses, educators, or consultants, use an image that captures the feeling or outcome you provide. A wellness coach could use a serene nature scene. A business consultant might opt for a modern, aspirational office setting. The goal is to evoke the emotion connected to your brand promise.

3. Feature a Collage of Your Best Content

Are you a blogger, creator, or artist? Turn your cover photo into a mini-portfolio. A food blogger could create a collage of their most delicious-looking recipes. A DIY creator can showcase a grid of their most popular finished projects. This instantly shows visitors the range and quality of your work.

4. Use a Brand-Focused Graphic

Sometimes a simple, clean graphic is more effective than a busy photograph. Design a cover in your brand's colors featuring your logo, tagline, or a simple pattern. This is a great choice for B2B brands, tech companies, and anyone wanting to project a modern, polished, and professional image.

5. Highlight a Seasonal Theme or Campaign

Your cover photo doesn't have to be static. An excellent strategy is to update it seasonally or to align with a current marketing campaign. A retailer can switch to a festive theme during the holidays, a travel blogger can feature a summer destination in June, or a brand can promote a major product launch. This keeps your profile looking fresh and relevant.

Final Thoughts

Your Pinterest cover photo is a quick, easy, and powerful tool for building a strong brand presence. By using a high-quality, on-brand image or video and following the optimal specs, you can transform your profile into a welcoming and professional destination that encourages visitors to click, follow, and engage with your content.

Crafting a strong visual strategy goes beyond just one cover photo. We know it can be a challenge to keep everything aligned across every platform - from Pinterest to Instagram Reels and TikTok. Here at Postbase, we built our visual calendar to give you a clear, bird's-eye view of your entire content plan. It helps you see how all your pieces fit together, so you can easily maintain a beautiful and effective aesthetic everywhere you post.