Understanding Why Your Notion Banner Appears Small

Notion’s customizable cover images, commonly referred to as banners, enhance the visual appeal of your pages. However, users often encounter situations where their Notion banner appears smaller than expected. Understanding why your Notion banner appears small involves considering factors like image dimensions, aspect ratios, and device-specific display settings.

Factors Affecting Banner Size in Notion

  1. Image Dimensions and Aspect Ratio

    Notion recommends a minimum width of 1500 pixels for cover images to ensure clarity and proper display across devices. The ideal dimensions are 1500 pixels in width by 600 pixels in height, maintaining a 5:2 aspect ratio. Using images smaller than these dimensions can result in them appearing stretched or pixelated, leading to a smaller visual impact.

  2. Device and Screen Size Variations

    Notion dynamically adjusts cover images to fit different screen sizes, including desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. For instance, on mobile devices, the optimal cover size is 1170 pixels by 445 pixels. If an image isn’t optimized for various devices, it may appear smaller or improperly cropped on certain screens.

     

  3. Image Repositioning

    After uploading a cover image, Notion allows users to reposition it to highlight specific areas. If not adjusted correctly, the main content of the image might be centered in a way that makes the banner appear smaller or misaligned.

Steps to Ensure Optimal Banner Display

  1. Select Appropriately Sized Images

    Choose images with a minimum width of 1500 pixels and a height of 600 pixels to ensure clarity and proper scaling across devices. Maintaining a 5:2 aspect ratio helps in achieving a balanced display.

  2. Reposition the Cover Image

    After adding a cover image, utilize Notion’s reposition feature to adjust the visible area of the image. Hover over the cover image, click on ‘Reposition,’ and drag the image to achieve the desired framing. Once satisfied, click ‘Save position’ to apply the changes.

  3. Consider Device-Specific Optimization

    Be aware that Notion displays cover images differently across devices. Design your cover images with the most critical content centered, ensuring essential elements are visible on various screen sizes. This approach minimizes the risk of important parts being cropped out on smaller screens.

Conclusion

A Notion banner appearing smaller than anticipated is often due to suboptimal image dimensions, improper aspect ratios, or lack of repositioning. By selecting appropriately sized images, utilizing the reposition feature, and considering device-specific display variations, you can ensure your Notion banners are displayed optimally across all platforms.

FAQ

  1. Why does my Notion banner appear small on mobile devices?

    Notion adjusts cover images to fit various screen sizes. If your image isn’t optimized for mobile dimensions (1170px by 445px), it may appear smaller or improperly cropped.

  2. How can I make my Notion banner larger?

    Use images with a minimum width of 1500 pixels and a height of 600 pixels. After uploading, utilize the ‘Reposition’ feature to adjust the visible area to your preference.

  3. What aspect ratio is best for Notion cover images?

    A 5:2 aspect ratio (e.g., 1500px by 600px) is recommended for Notion cover images to ensure optimal display across devices.

  4. Can I use smaller images for my Notion banner?

    It’s not advisable, as Notion will stretch smaller images to fit the cover space, leading to pixelation and a diminished visual appearance.

  5. Does Notion crop cover images differently on various devices?

    Yes, Notion dynamically resizes and crops cover images based on the device’s screen size. Designing with central alignment ensures essential content remains visible across platforms.