Blog Cover Image Size: Start with Your Actual Layout

Measure the space you control

Check the width and shape of the image area in your publishing theme. A wide editorial header may work at 16:9, while an article card may crop it to a different ratio. Treat any suggested dimensions as a starting point and verify your own theme.

Keep the essential content inside a safe center

Place the subject and any headline away from the extreme edges. Make a separate crop when the card preview cuts off important information. A decorative texture can tolerate cropping more easily than a title or face.

Let the article title do its job

If the page already places a large HTML title above the image, a picture without repeated headline text may be clearer. The Quiet Signals example includes words because it is designed as a standalone header; that choice can change with your layout.

Use a real image element and useful alternative text

Google recommends standard image elements with a usable src URL so images can be discovered. Describe the image's actual subject in its alternative text and place it near relevant text. Avoid using a CSS background for an image you want indexed.

Source: Google Search Central · checked November 6, 2026

Check the page after upload

Review the article on desktop and mobile, plus the card or social preview if your platform provides one. Inspect clarity, crop and file weight together. A smaller web file can make the page easier to load while you keep the original master separately.