Why covers matter on TikTok
Most views come from the For You feed, where the cover is not shown. But when someone likes a video and visits your profile, your covers are what they see. A grid of clear, consistent covers with readable titles tells them what else you have made and makes them watch more.
Size and safe zone
Design covers at 1080 × 1920 (9:16). In the profile grid, TikTok crops covers to about a 3:4 rectangle around the centre, cutting the top and bottom. Keep your title in the middle 60% of the height. The “Video cover” template is already placed this way.
How to make a TikTok cover
- Start from “Video cover” and type a short title: “Day 1 of…”, “3 apps I use”, “Part 2”.
- Add a still frame or photo as the background (Background → Choose photo) and lower its brightness so the text pops.
- Download PNG.
- When posting, open Edit cover. Where your app version lets you add a cover from your gallery, choose the image; otherwise pick a frame and add matching cover text.
Cover design tips
- Use the same font, color and position for every video in a series.
- Put series numbers on the cover (“Part 3”) so viewers can find the order.
- Choose big condensed fonts like Anton or Bebas Neue and add an outline.
- Avoid tiny text — profile thumbnails are small on phones.
The same 9:16 design also works as a cover for Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a TikTok cover?
1080 × 1920 pixels (9:16). The profile grid crops it to roughly 3:4, so keep text centred.
Can I use the cover for Reels and Shorts?
Yes. Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts also use the 9:16 format.