YouTube shows your profile picture at 98 × 98 pixels, cropped into a circle. Upload a square JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG (no animated GIFs) image of up to 15 MB.
YouTube does not publish a recommended upload size. A square image of at least 800 × 800 pixels is our suggestion: it stays sharp on high-resolution screens and is easy to crop.
Profile picture specs
| Display size | 98 × 98 pixels |
|---|---|
| Shape | square, shown as a circle |
| Formats | JPG, GIF, BMP or PNG (no animated GIFs) |
| Max file size | 15 MB |
Source: YouTube Help, “Manage your channel branding”. Checked on October 11, 2026.
Why the circle matters
Your picture is cut into a circle everywhere it appears: on your channel page, next to your videos and beside your comments. The corners of a square image disappear. Center the face or logo, leave a little margin around it, and avoid text near the edges.
The preview above shows your image in a circle at 98 × 98 pixels and at two smaller sizes. If you can still recognize it in the smallest circle, it will work in comments and search results too.
Tips for a profile picture that reads at small sizes
- One subject. A face or a simple logo, not a group photo or a busy scene.
- Strong contrast. A plain background in a color that stands out from your subject.
- No small text. A single letter or a short word at most.
- Consistent with your banner. Same colors or style, so your channel looks like one brand. See the banner size guide.
Video watermark size
The watermark is the small image viewers can click to subscribe while they watch. YouTube asks for a square image of at least 150 × 150 pixels, under 1 MB. Many creators reuse a simplified version of their profile picture.
How to change your profile picture
In YouTube Studio, open Customization, then Profile. Next to the picture, click Change, choose your image, adjust the crop, click Done and then Publish.
FAQ
What size should a YouTube profile picture be?
It is displayed at 98 × 98 pixels. YouTube gives no upload size; a square image of at least 800 × 800 pixels is a safe choice.
Can my profile picture be animated?
No. YouTube Help excludes animated GIFs.
Why does my profile picture look blurry?
The image is probably smaller than the display size or was enlarged before upload. Start from a larger square image.