Promoting an upcoming event with a Facebook event page? You’ll need a stellar cover photo. If you’re thinking you can just use the cover photo from your regular Facebook page, think again.
The ideal size for a Facebook event cover photo differs from both your personal profile cover photo and your Facebook page cover photo (check out our cheat sheet to get the details on those social media image sizes).
Here’s what you need to know to create a Facebook event cover photo that hits the mark:
The right Facebook event cover photo size
Screenshot via Facebook, National Arts Marketing Project
The cover photo is the first thing potential attendees will see when they land on your event page, so you want to make that first impression count.
Facebook recommends using photos that are 1200 x 628 pixels in size, which is a 1.91:1 ratio. Because Facebook is always making changes, the recommended size for event cover photos has changed several times. Some experts suggest using larger dimensions of 1920 x 1005 pixels as a general rule to ensure that your cover photo looks crisp and clear across all devices, particularly those with retina screens.
Facebook scales down your event cover photo to minimum dimensions of 470 x 174 pixels, which is the size of the image that shows up in the feed.
Another thing to keep in mind: If you use a cover photo smaller than the recommended 1200 x 628 pixels, Facebook will enlarge it to fit. And that means a stretched-out, distorted cover photo. As a rule of thumb, go with the recommended size (or as close to it as possible) to avoid cropping or distortion.
Using event videos
For those who really want to stand out, Facebook now allows the use of videos in place of an event cover photo. The recommended size for videos is the same as for event cover photos: 1200 x 628 pixels, at a 1.91:1 ratio, and the recommended length is 30 seconds to 5 minutes (the maximum length for an event cover video).
Yes – you can have a 5-minute video to introduce your event in that coveted cover photo spot! Just be sure that your content, whether you’re using a cover photo or video, adheres to Facebook’s content guidelines.
Tips & tricks for creating a stunning Facebook event cover photo
Ready to create an amazing event cover photo? Keep these tips and tricks in mind.
1. Opt for custom event cover photos vs. themes
Screenshot via Facebook
When you create an event page, Facebook allows you to choose from a few themes, such as food and drink, holidays, birthdays, and more. Selecting one of these options pre-loads an image into the cover photo spot. So, you could make quick work of your Facebook event cover photo by using one of these options, but that doesn’t give your event a custom feel. There are no built-in video options to choose from, though, so if you want to go the video route, you’re entirely on your own.
2. Use templates and design tools
Screenshot via Crello
If your graphic design and photo editing skills aren’t exactly on point, there are plenty of tools you can use to make a professional-looking event cover photo, such as:
- Canva’s Facebook Event Cover Photo Designer
- Bannersnack’s Facebook Cover Maker
- Crello’s Facebook Cover Tools
- Adobe Spark’s Facebook Cover Maker
- Fotojet’s Facebook Cover Maker
- PosterMyWall’s Facebook Cover Design Tool
And, if you’re looking for some design inspiration, most of these design tools have hundreds of templates you can customize with your own personal touch.
3. Highlight important event details in your cover photo
Screenshot via Facebook, Central WI Digital & Social Media Conference
Your event cover photo is valuable page real estate, so take advantage of it. Add text in a contrasting color with your event name, the date and time, location, or other need-to-know details for attendees. But, do keep in mind that Facebook has found that images with less than 20% text perform better.
This is an especially important consideration if you’ll be promoting your event with Facebook ads. While Facebook doesn’t limit the amount of text you’re allowed to have in an ad image, you’ll get better results if you keep it under 20%. And if you’re using ads to boost event signups, don’t forget to tap into Facebook Audience Insights for better ad targeting. You can even retarget people who have responded to your event with targeted ad campaigns.
4. Keep your audience in mind
Screenshot via Facebook, Weekly Sales Meeting
Think about who will be attending your event, and what they hope to achieve by being there. Are they just out for a fun night on the town? Is it a conference or learning event? Choose images that will resonate with your audience and make them feel like your event is the place to be. If you’re holding an industry conference, for instance, photos from past events can make the perfect backdrop for your event cover photo.
Facebook events are powerful marketing tools for both live and online events. Whether you’re setting up your first event or your hundredth, getting your Facebook event cover photo right is key to generating buzz and getting signups.
If you’re looking to learn about Facebook we have a series guides including how to get followers on Facebook and how to pin a post in FB, and we can help you get more people to share your content, install the Facebook follow button and share button on your site.
