Your artist profile and your release cover do different jobs. A profile image helps listeners recognize the artist; a cover belongs to a particular release. Prepare them separately and check the current requirements before uploading.
Start with the right image
Choose an image you have permission to use. If it contains a person, confirm you have their consent. Pick a clear subject that still reads when it is small, and leave enough space around the subject for different crops.
Spotify’s artist image guidance currently lists these minimum sizes:
| Image | Minimum dimensions |
|---|---|
| Avatar | 750 × 750 pixels |
| Header | 2660 × 1140 pixels |
| Gallery | 690 × 500 pixels |
Spotify accepts JPEG, PNG and GIF for artist images and sets a 20 MB maximum. Its guidelines say not to include text, advertising or busy backgrounds. Review the current instructions before uploading; they may change.
Make a crop for each space
An image that works as a wide header may not work as a square avatar. Save separate crops rather than assuming one layout will suit both. Place the important subject where it remains visible when the image is cropped, and check each preview before saving.
Look at the avatar at a small size. Can you still recognize the subject? If not, use a simpler image or a closer crop. For a header, check the edges and make sure the main subject does not disappear on a narrower screen.
Keep release art separate
Cover art can include the identity of a single release; an artist profile should remain useful across multiple releases. Spotify’s profile image rules also say not to promote an upcoming release in these images. For the release itself, follow the cover art checklist.
If you are still developing the visual direction for a release, you can create square cover art. Check the final image and any lettering, and keep the separate requirements for profile images in mind.
Before saving
Check that you have the necessary permissions, the right image for the right slot, and a clear crop. After uploading, view the public artist page and check the result at more than one screen size. Keep the original image and your final crops together so you can update the profile later.