How to Get a Header on Pinterest

That big, beautiful banner at the top of a Pinterest profile isn’t just for decoration, it’s some of the most valuable digital real estate for your brand. This space is your first - and best - opportunity to tell visitors who you are and what you’re all about, all in a single glance. This guide will walk you through exactly how to get a header on your Pinterest profile, covering everything from the technical steps to design strategies that will make your brand pop.

What is a Pinterest Profile Header, Anyway?

First things first, let's get on the same page. The Pinterest header is the large cover image or video that sits at the top of your profile page. Think of it like the cover of a magazine - it's meant to grab attention, set the tone, and entice people to see what's inside.

One important point: only Pinterest Business accounts have access to this feature. If you’re still using a personal account for your brand or business, you won’t see the option to add a header. Switching is free and unlocks a world of other professional tools like analytics and advertising, so it's a worthwhile move for any creator or business.

Why does it matter so much? Your header can:

• Establish Your Brand Identity: Before anyone scrolls to your Pins, your header instantly communicates your brand’s personality, colors, and aesthetic. It quickly answers the question, "Am I in the right place?"
• Create a Professional First Impression: A well-designed, high-quality header signals that you're a serious, credible brand. An empty or low-quality header can have the opposite effect.
• Promote What’s Important: You can use this space to highlight your latest products, promote a free guide or lead magnet, announce a sale, or showcase the results your clients get.

The Technical Specs: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Before you jump into designing, you need to know the rules of the road. Getting the technical details right will prevent frustrating upload errors and ensure your header looks crisp and professional on every device.

Account Type: You Need a Business Account

As mentioned, profile covers are exclusively for Business accounts. If you don’t have one yet, making the switch is easy:

1. Log into your existing personal Pinterest account.
2. Click the down arrow in the top-right corner and go to Settings.
3. Select Account Management from the left-hand navigation.
4. Find the option that says "Convert to a business account" and follow the prompts. It’s free and you won’t lose any of your current Pins or boards.

Pinterest Header Size and Dimensions

To avoid stretched, blurry, or awkwardly cropped visuals, stick to Pinterest’s official recommendations:

• Recommended Dimensions: 800 x 450 pixels is the sweet spot.
• Aspect Ratio: This translates to a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, just like a widescreen video.
• File Type: You can use either JPG or PNG for static images. For videos, use MP4.
• File Size: Keep your image files under 10MB to be safe, though Pinterest may allow up to 32MB. Videos have a much larger limit of up to 2GB.

Types of Headers You Can Use

You have three main options for your profile cover, each with its own pros and cons:

1. A Static Image: This is the simplest and most common choice. You upload a single photo or a custom graphic that perfectly represents your brand. It’s consistent, easy to create, and gives you full control over your brand’s first impression.
2. A Video: A video header can be a powerful way to capture attention and tell a more dynamic story. It automatically plays (muted) for visitors on desktop and mobile. This is perfect for showing your product in action, a quick tour of your workspace, or user-generated content in a quick montage.
3. Your Latest Pins (Dynamic): Pinterest also gives you the option to automatically pull in your most recently saved Pins to create a collage-style header. The upside is it's always fresh and shows off your active pinning. The downside is you have zero artistic control over the final look - it could end up looking busy or mismatched depending on what you’ve pinned lately.

How to Upload Your Pinterest Header: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve got your beautiful image or video ready to go, the upload process itself is incredibly straightforward. It's best to do this on a desktop computer, as profile editing features can sometimes be limited on the mobile app.

1. Navigate to your Pinterest profile by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
2. Hover over the header area. You'll see a pencil icon appear. Click it to begin editing your cover.
3. Choose your cover type. A menu will pop up asking if you want to upload a new image/video or use your latest Pins. Select the "Upload" option.
4. Upload your file. Your computer’s file finder will open. Locate your saved header image or video and select it for upload.
5. Adjust and crop. Once uploaded, Pinterest gives you a simple tool to reposition the image or video within the 16:9 frame. This is your chance to make sure everything is centered perfectly.
6. Save your changes. Once you're happy with the placement, click "Done." That's it! Your new header is now live for the world to see.

Design Tips for a Pinterest Header That Converts

Knowing how to upload a header is one thing. Knowing what to put in it is where the real marketing magic happens. Here are some actionable tips for creating a header that truly shines.

1. Keep it Clean and On-Brand

Your header is not the place to experiment with a completely new visual style. It should feel like a seamless part of your brand ecosystem. Use your established brand colors, fonts (if using text), and photography style. Consistency builds recognition and trust.

2. Focus on High-Quality Visuals

Nothing screams "unprofessional" faster than a blurry, pixelated image. Use high-resolution photos and cleanly designed graphics. If photography isn't your strong suit, services like Canva offer endless templates, and stock photo sites like Unsplash and Pexels are full of beautiful, free-to-use imagery.

3. Beware the Profile Picture "Safe Zone"

This is the most common mistake people make. Your profile picture, name, and bio text will partially cover the bottom-center of your header image. Whatever you do, do not place your logo, a product, or important text in that "dead zone." The key visual element of your header should be slightly higher than the center, ensuring it’s fully visible on both desktop and mobile devices.

4. Go Easy on the Text

Pinterest is a visual discovery engine. People are there for inspiration, not to read paragraphs. Unless you have a very short, impactful brand tagline (we're talking 3-5 words), it’s often best to let a powerful image do the talking. If you use text, make it large, legible, and high-contrast so it’s easy to read at a glance.

5. Get Creative with Header Content Ideas

Not sure what to put in your header? Here are a few proven ideas:

• Your Workspace: Show your studio, kitchen, or desk. This gives a humanizing peek behind the scenes.
• The Final Product: Instead of showing off your product packaging, show the beautiful end result. A baker might show a stunning decorated cake, a course creator might show happy students on a Zoom call.
• A Lifestyle Shot: More than what you sell, what feeling do you sell? An outdoor gear company could show a stunning mountain vista. A home decor brand could feature a beautifully styled, relaxing living room.
• A Face to the Name: For service providers like coaches, consultants, or bloggers, a warm and professional photo of you builds instant connection and trust.
• A Symmetrical Pattern or Texture: If your brand is more abstract, a simple and beautiful brand-aligned pattern or texture can work wonders. Think clean lines, natural woodgrain, or a subtle water ripple.

Final Thoughts

Setting up your Pinterest header is a quick and simple task, but its impact is huge. By choosing a high-quality, on-brand visual and being mindful of the layout, you can transform your profile from a simple collection of Pins into a powerful branding tool that makes a killer first impression.

We know that creating and scheduling beautiful visual content consistently - not just for Pinterest but for all your social platforms - is a full-time job. That's why we designed the visual calendar in Postbase to help you see your entire content plan at a glance. You can easily upload, plan, and schedule all your Pins, Reels, and videos from one clean interface, ensuring your brand story stays consistent everywhere, without the usual headaches.