Header guide
Substack publication header header size: 1100×400
Everything you need to design a Substack publication header banner that looks great on every device — exact dimensions, safe areas to avoid, and how the image actually crops on phones, tablets, and desktops.
Recommended size
1100 × 400px
Aspect ratio
2.75:1
Devices we audit
4
How Substack publication header crops your header
Substack publication header renders the same image differently across devices. We test 4 unique device profiles (2 phone) (2 desktop).
| Device | Type | Display size | Safe areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | phone | 402×146 | Status Bar, Top Nav Buttons |
| Desktop (1440p) | desktop | 1100×400 | Logo Overlay (left) |
| Email client (Apple Mail) | desktop | 800×291 | None |
| Email client (Gmail mobile) | phone | 393×143 | None |
Design tips for Substack publication header
- •Keep critical content centered. Mobile and desktop crop different portions of your image. Putting your key visual or text in the center buys you the most safety.
- •Mind the profile picture overlay. Most platforms place a profile photo on top of the lower-left of your banner. Don't put logos or text there.
- •Watch the Dynamic Island & status bar. On iPhones the top of your banner sits behind the status bar and (on Pro models) the Dynamic Island.
- •Export at 2× or 3×. Save at twice the recommended size and let the platform downscale, so the image stays crisp on retina displays.
Test your Substack publication header header
Upload your banner and Better Header will check it against every Substack publication header device profile. First audit's on us.
One token · Tokens never expire · Refund if no issues found