A Notion cover is a 1500 x 600 px header image that appears at the top of any Notion page. You can add one from Notion's built-in gallery, upload your own file, paste an image URL, search Unsplash, or generate one with Notion AI. This guide covers the exact Notion cover dimensions for every device, the best free sites and generators for Notion covers and headers, and step-by-step instructions for adding, removing, and repositioning your banner images.
What are the best Notion cover dimensions?
Design your Notion cover at 1500 x 600 px (a 5:2 aspect ratio) for the sharpest result across all devices. Notion banners are responsive: they stretch to fill the full page width and crop the top, bottom, or sides depending on the window size.
| Device | Recommended size | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop | 1500 x 600 px (minimum) | 5:2 |
| Mobile | 1170 x 445 px | 2.6:1 |
| Tablet | 1170 x 290 px | 4:1 |
Larger files such as 2500 x 1000 px or 3000 x 1200 px are fine for retina-level clarity. Keep the same 5:2 aspect ratio.
What is the safe area for text and logos?
Notion only lets you move the cover image vertically, so anything outside the center 70 % can be cut off on smaller screens. A practical safe area is roughly 1170 x 230 px in the middle of your canvas. Keep logos, text, and key visuals inside that box.
What file format and size should you use?
Notion accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and WEBP. The free plan rejects files over 5 MB, and large images can blur when downscaled. Aim for compressed files under 1 MB. WebP is 25-34 % smaller than JPEG at similar quality, making it the best format for fast page loads.
How to add a Notion cover
Open the Notion page where you want a cover. Hover over the top area and click Add cover. Notion will insert a random image from its gallery.
To swap it, hover over the cover again and click Change cover. This opens the selection interface with five options: Gallery, Upload, Link, Unsplash, and AI (new in 2026).
Gallery
The gallery provides Notion's curated collection of built-in covers: solid colors, gradients, and themed images from the James Webb Telescope, NASA, the Rijksmuseum, and the MET Museum. These load quickly because they are hosted on Notion's servers.
Upload
Click the Upload tab, then drag and drop an image or browse your files. Notion accepts JPG, PNG, GIF, and WEBP. For the best results, use images at least 1500 px wide in landscape orientation.
Link
Paste a direct image URL (ending in .jpg, .png, .webp, etc.) to use an image hosted elsewhere without downloading it first. If the external source removes or moves the file, your cover will break, so use a reliable host.
Unsplash
The Unsplash tab lets you search millions of free, high-quality photos without leaving Notion. All images are free to use and automatically credited to their photographers.
How to generate a cover with Notion AI
As of March 2026, Notion can generate cover images directly. Click Change cover, then select the AI tab. Describe the image you want in a short prompt, and Notion AI will produce a custom banner. The feature is in beta and has a daily generation limit, but it removes the need to find or create cover images externally.
How to reposition a Notion cover
After adding a cover, hover over it and click Reposition. Drag the image up or down to adjust the focal point, then click outside the cover to save. If dragging does not respond, try holding Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) while dragging, or switch to the web app where the bug is less common.
How to remove a Notion cover
- Go to the page with the cover you want to remove.
- Hover over the existing cover image.
- Click the Change cover button that appears.
- Click Remove at the top right.
Where can you find free Notion covers?
If Notion's built-in gallery and Unsplash integration are not enough, these dedicated sites and generators offer thousands of additional options. We tested every tool listed below in March 2026.
Stock photo platforms
These platforms provide millions of free images suitable for Notion covers and headers:
- Unsplash. The most popular free stock photo platform, with millions of images. Unsplash is also built into Notion's cover picker, so you can search it without leaving the app. No attribution required.
- Pexels. Over 3 million free stock photos and videos licensed under Creative Commons Zero (CC0).
- Pixabay. Millions of royalty-free images, all released under CC0. Strong selection of illustrations and vectors alongside photos.
- Burst. A free platform by Shopify focused on business and eCommerce imagery. You can download, edit, and use photos freely with no attribution required.
- Kaboompics. Uses its own license (similar to CC0) and offers color search plus complementary color palettes, which is useful for matching Notion covers to your brand.
Notion cover generators
We tested these Notion cover generators in March 2026 and verified that each one is active and functional.
| Tool | Status | Free | Text overlay | Custom size | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notion Cover Generator | Active | Yes | Yes | Yes | PNG |
| Notion Covers | Active (marketplace) | Free + paid packs | Limited | No | PNG |
| Notion Images | Active (sign-in required) | Yes | Yes | Yes | PNG |
| Covercons | Active | Yes | No (icon only) | No | PNG/SVG |
| Notion Everything | Active | Yes | Yes | Yes | PNG |
- Notion Cover Generator. The most comprehensive free option, with access to over 2 million background images from Unsplash. Add custom text overlays with various fonts and colors, apply filters, preview how the cover looks on different devices, and download high-quality PNGs optimized for Notion's dimensions.
- Notion Covers. Now a marketplace with over 24,000 downloads. Browse free aesthetic covers or purchase themed packs ($4-$15) organized by categories like productivity, wellness, and creative projects.
- Notion Images. Combine Unsplash backgrounds, custom gradients, tiled patterns, and dozens of Google Fonts. Requires a free sign-in to generate and download covers.
- Covercons. Built for database gallery cards. Pick a flat color, choose a Material icon or repeating icon pattern, and download as PNG or SVG.
- Notion Everything. A generator from the Notion Everything marketplace. Select a background, add text and icons, adjust sizing, and export at the correct Notion cover dimensions.
Other resources
- Minimal Covers template. A Notion template with pre-designed minimalist covers: clean lines, subtle colors, and elegant typography ready to use.
- GIPHY. Animated GIF backgrounds that work as Notion covers. Search for "notion cover" to find banners designed specifically for Notion.
- Canva. Search "notion cover" in Canva to find templates already set to the correct 1500 x 600 px dimensions. The free tier covers most needs.
How to create a custom Notion cover
Using Canva or Figma
- Open Canva or Figma and create a canvas at 1500 x 600 px.
- Add your background: a solid color, gradient, photo, or pattern.
- Place text or logos inside the safe area (1170 x 230 px centered).
- Export as WebP or PNG, keeping the file under 1 MB.
- In Notion, click Change cover and upload the file.
Both tools are free for basic use. Canva has ready-made Notion cover templates; Figma gives more control over typography and alignment.
Using Notion AI to generate covers
If you prefer not to design from scratch, Notion AI can generate a cover image directly inside Notion (launched March 2026). Click Change cover, select AI, type a short prompt describing what you want, and Notion will produce a custom banner. This is the fastest path from idea to finished cover, though the feature is in beta and the output quality varies.
Design tips for effective Notion covers
- Stay consistent. Pick a color palette or theme and apply it across pages. Consistent covers make your workspace easier to navigate.
- Use the safe area. Text and logos should stay within the 1170 x 230 px center zone, or they will be cropped on mobile.
- Match your purpose. Work pages benefit from clean, muted covers. Personal pages can be bolder. If you publish Notion pages as a website, your cover becomes a public brand element.
- Keep it simple. A single strong image or a flat color with an icon often looks better than a busy collage. Browse aesthetic Notion templates for visual inspiration.
How do covers work in gallery view?
When you use a Notion database in gallery view, each entry displays its cover image as a card thumbnail. You can control how the image appears:
- Fit image stretches the cover to fill the card without cropping.
- Crop (default) fills the card by cropping the edges.
- Card sizes (small, medium, large) change the visible area. Smaller cards crop more aggressively.
For gallery covers, square or 4:3 images often work better than the standard 5:2 banner ratio. You can set a different cover per database entry, which is useful for visual project boards, mood boards, or Notion widget dashboards.
If you want your gallery to look polished, use covers from the same set or color family. Tools like Covercons are designed specifically for gallery card covers.
Make your Notion workspace work harder
Keep your data flowing automatically. 2sync gives you two-way sync between Notion and Google Calendar, Todoist, and more.
FAQ
Why is my Notion cover blurry?
Use an image at least 1500 x 600 px (or export at 2x for Retina screens). Smaller files are stretched to fill the banner area and lose sharpness.
Why does my cover disappear when I link an external image?
Hot-linked covers vanish when the source file is moved or deleted. Upload the image directly to Notion or host it on a reliable CDN instead.
Why doesn't my GIF cover animate on the mobile app?
The Notion mobile apps sometimes render GIFs as static frames. Open the page in a browser, or re-encode the GIF under 2 MB to restore animation.
How do I reposition a Notion cover?
Hover over the cover and click Reposition. Drag the image up or down to adjust the focal point. If dragging does not respond, hold Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) while dragging, or use the web app.
What is the best aspect ratio for Notion covers?
5:2 (or equivalently 2.5:1). Design at 1500 x 600 px for standard screens, or 3000 x 1200 px for retina displays.
Can Notion AI generate cover images?
Yes, as of March 2026. Click Change cover, select the AI tab, and describe the image you want. The feature is in beta with a daily generation limit.
How do I make a Notion cover with Canva?
Open Canva and search for 'notion cover' templates, or create a custom design at 1500 x 600 px. Add your background, text, and branding, then export as PNG or WebP and upload to Notion.
How do covers display in database gallery view?
Each database entry shows its cover as a card thumbnail. Use the Fit image option to show the full cover without cropping, or use Crop (default) to fill the card. Smaller card sizes crop more of the image.
What is the ideal file size and format for a Notion cover?
Keep the file under 1 MB for fast loading. WebP is the best format: it is 25-34% smaller than JPEG at similar quality. Notion's free plan rejects files over 5 MB.
What is the safe area for a Notion cover?
The safe area is roughly 1170 x 230 px in the center of your canvas. Anything outside this zone may be cropped on mobile or tablet screens, so keep logos and text inside it.
