Getting the podcast cover size right keeps your show title readable in directories, apps, and small thumbnails. This guide covers recommended podcast cover dimensions, square artwork requirements, and how show art differs from episode or social promos.
Recommended size
| Dimension | 1400 × 1400 px |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1 square |
| Main use case | Podcast platforms, directories, and show artwork displays |
FeatureImg’s Podcast Cover Maker exports at this size so you design on the correct square canvas without a separate resize step.
| Asset | Recommended size | Aspect ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Show cover (primary) | 1400 × 1400 px | 1:1 | Directory and app artwork |
| Episode promo on social | Often wide (e.g. 1600 × 900) | 16:9 | Timeline posts, not directory uploads |
| Blog article about the episode | 1200 × 630 px | ~1.91:1 | Link previews and CMS covers |
When people search podcast cover size or podcast artwork size, they usually mean square show artwork. Design that asset first at 1400 × 1400 px.
What is podcast cover art?
Podcast cover art is the square image attached to a show (and sometimes to individual episodes) in podcast apps and directories. It is the visual anchor listeners see before they read the description or press play.
The cover is not your episode notes. It is a compact brand mark: usually a show title, optional subtitle or host line, and simple color or imagery. Because the image appears small on phones, size, contrast, and spacing matter more than fine detail.
Recommended podcast cover size in FeatureImg
FeatureImg’s Podcast Cover format exports at 1400 × 1400 pixels in a 1:1 square layout.
| Label | Dimensions | Aspect ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FeatureImg Podcast Cover (recommended) | 1400 × 1400 px | 1:1 | Matches the editor canvas; ready to upload |
| Common directory minimums | Often 1400 × 1400 px or higher | 1:1 | Check your host’s current spec before upload |
| Smaller legacy sizes | 300 × 300 px and up | 1:1 | May look soft when scaled up; prefer larger sources |
If you are comparing podcast cover art size requirements across hosts, match square aspect ratio first, then meet or exceed the host’s minimum pixel count.
Show cover vs episode artwork
Show cover is the primary square asset in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most directories. It represents the whole feed. This size guide focuses on that file.
Episode cover or episode promo sometimes means:
- The same show art reused every episode (common for indie shows)
- A one-off square variant for a limited series (still 1:1)
- A wide social graphic for a single episode announcement (not a directory upload)
Do not upload a wide banner into a square slot. Use 1400 × 1400 px for directory art and a wide format for timeline promos when needed.
Why square artwork works well
Podcast clients display covers as squares in browse grids, search results, and player screens. A square canvas avoids accidental crops that cut off corners of a wide rectangle.
Square art also simplifies production. You design once at the correct podcast artwork size, export, and reuse the same layout family for seasons, spin-offs, or limited series.
How podcast covers differ from blog or social graphics
Wide formats (such as blog featured images or Open Graph previews) use landscape ratios near 1.91:1. Podcast covers use 1:1. Copy that works on a wide card often feels cramped on a square unless you shorten the title and increase type size.
| Format type | Typical use | FeatureImg ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast cover | Show branding in podcast apps | 1:1 (1400 × 1400 px) |
| Blog featured image | CMS listing and article headers | ~1.91:1 (1200 × 630 px) |
| Open Graph image | Link previews when a URL is shared | ~1.91:1 (1200 × 630 px) |
If you publish both a blog and a podcast, plan separate exports even when the visual style matches.
Artwork requirements and platform notes
Most hosts and directories expect:
- Square artwork (1:1)
- A minimum around 1400 × 1400 px (confirm your host’s current docs)
- A clear show title that survives thumbnail scaling
- Enough edge margin for rounded masks and UI chrome
Always verify the upload rules in your podcast host before you replace live artwork. Specs can change, and some platforms reject files that are too small, too large, or the wrong ratio.
Best practices for readable podcast covers
Keep the title short. Aim for a name that reads in one or two lines at thumbnail size. Long show names become illegible in app grids.
Use strong contrast. Light text on busy photos often fails after compression. Solid fields, soft gradients, or shape backgrounds usually hold up better.
Focus on one visual idea. A single headline, one accent color, and optional host or tagline is enough.
Leave edge spacing. Rounded masks and UI chrome can clip corners. Keep important type and logos away from the outer edges.
Avoid tiny text. Episode numbers, URLs, and long quotes belong in show notes, not on the cover.
Common mistakes
Wrong aspect ratio. Uploading a wide banner or portrait photo into a square slot leads to unintended center crops.
Cluttered layout. Too many badges, logos, and lines compete at small sizes.
Low contrast. Thin gray type on pastel backgrounds disappears in thumbnails.
Decorative overload. Textures and photos without a clear text panel make titles hard to read.
Skipping a thumbnail check. Zoom out or preview at phone size before you upload.
Confusing show art with social promos. Directory podcast cover dimensions are square; timeline graphics use wide formats.
How FeatureImg helps you hit the right size
FeatureImg locks the canvas to the Podcast Cover preset so you design at export size:
- Open the Podcast Cover Maker or the editor with the podcast preset.
- Pick a template such as Clean Editorial, Creator Bold, or Product Update.
- Edit the title and optional subtitle fields tied to the layout.
- Choose a background (solid, gradient, or shape preset) that keeps text readable.
- Export PNG, JPEG, or WebP at 1400 × 1400 px for upload to your podcast host.
You work in the browser. FeatureImg does not submit artwork to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or other platforms for you. You export the file and upload it where your host instructs.
For a step-by-step design workflow, read how to make a podcast cover.
Quick size checklist
- Confirm your host’s current minimum dimensions (many expect square art at 1400 px or larger).
- Design at 1400 × 1400 px in FeatureImg.
- Keep the show title readable at roughly 150 px wide (thumbnail simulation).
- Export PNG (or JPEG/WebP if your host accepts them and quality is acceptable).
- Upload through your podcast host’s artwork settings.
- Re-check the listing after caches update.
Related guides
- How to make a podcast cover for step-by-step creation
- Podcast cover ideas for layout direction by show type
- Podcast Cover Maker to export square artwork online
Create your podcast cover
Use a square export, keep copy minimal, and preview at thumbnail size. When you are ready, start from the Podcast Cover Maker or open the podcast editor preset to pick a template and export at the correct dimensions.