How to Convert and Resize Artwork for Podcast Covers

Your podcast cover art is the first thing potential listeners see when browsing podcast directories. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other platforms all have specific requirements for cover art format, dimensions, and file size. Submit artwork that does not meet these specs and your podcast may be rejected from directories or display with a blurry, unprofessional thumbnail.

The tricky part is that different platforms have slightly different requirements. Apple Podcasts has the most stringent specs and serves as the baseline that other platforms follow. Meeting Apple's requirements generally satisfies all other platforms as well.

This guide covers the current artwork specifications for major podcast platforms and how to prepare your cover image for submission.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Create or Obtain Your Cover Art at 3000x3000 Pixels

    Apple Podcasts requires artwork between 1400 by 1400 and 3000 by 3000 pixels. Always create at 3000 by 3000 (the maximum) to future-proof your artwork and ensure the best quality across all platforms. Spotify requires at least 640 by 640 but displays artwork at various sizes, so 3000 by 3000 gives the best results everywhere.

  2. Convert to JPG or PNG

    Apple Podcasts accepts JPEG and PNG. Spotify accepts JPEG, PNG, and TIFF. For maximum compatibility across all platforms, use JPEG at quality 90 to 95. If your artwork has transparency (rare for podcast covers but sometimes used), use PNG. Most cover art is photographic or illustration-based and works best as JPEG.

  3. Ensure the Aspect Ratio Is Square

    All podcast platforms require exactly square artwork (1:1 aspect ratio). If your design is not already square, crop it to a perfect square. A 3000 by 3001 pixel image may be rejected by some platforms. Use exact dimensions: 3000 by 3000 pixels. Do not submit rectangular images expecting the platform to crop them.

  4. Optimize for Both Large and Thumbnail Display

    Your cover art displays at vastly different sizes: from a 50 by 50 pixel thumbnail in search results to a 600 by 600 pixel feature in podcast apps. Text on your cover must be legible at thumbnail size. Use bold, large fonts and avoid small text or fine details. View your artwork at 50 by 50 pixels before finalizing to verify it is recognizable and text is readable.

  5. Set the Color Space to sRGB

    Podcast platforms expect sRGB color space. Artwork in CMYK (from print design workflows) or Adobe RGB (from photography workflows) will display with shifted colors on screens. Convert to sRGB before exporting your final JPEG or PNG. Most design tools default to sRGB, but verify in the document settings.

Platform-Specific Requirements

Apple Podcasts has the most detailed requirements: JPEG or PNG, 1400 by 1400 to 3000 by 3000 pixels, sRGB color space, 72 DPI. The artwork must not contain explicit imagery unless the podcast is marked explicit. Apple reviews cover art manually and may reject artwork that does not meet their quality standards or editorial guidelines.

Spotify requires at least 640 by 640 pixels in JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format. Spotify displays artwork at various sizes across its app and web player, so 3000 by 3000 gives the crispest appearance everywhere. Google Podcasts (now part of YouTube Music) follows Apple's specs. Amazon Music and Audible also follow Apple's specs.

Design Tips for Effective Cover Art

The best podcast cover art is simple, bold, and readable at small sizes. Use no more than five to seven words of text. Choose a bold sans-serif font for the podcast title. Use high contrast between text and background. A recognizable image or icon helps listeners find your podcast in a crowded directory.

Avoid cluttered designs with too many elements. At thumbnail size (50 to 100 pixels), only the most prominent design elements are visible. Test your cover at both full size and thumbnail before finalizing. Many successful podcasts use just the show name in bold type on a solid color background.

Convert Your Podcast Artwork

Convert your cover art to the right format with imageconvert.co. Convert from any source format to JPEG or PNG entirely in your browser. No upload, no account, no file size restrictions. Your podcast branding stays on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size should podcast cover art be?

Create your podcast cover art at 3000 by 3000 pixels in JPEG or PNG format. This meets the maximum requirement for Apple Podcasts (1400x1400 to 3000x3000) and gives the best quality on all platforms including Spotify, Google, and Amazon Music.

What format does Apple Podcasts require for cover art?

Apple Podcasts accepts JPEG and PNG format. The image must be square, between 1400x1400 and 3000x3000 pixels, in sRGB color space at 72 DPI. JPEG at quality 90-95 is recommended for most cover designs.

Can I use a PNG with transparency for my podcast cover?

While PNG with transparency is technically accepted, it is not recommended. Podcast players render transparent areas as black or white depending on the app, which may not match your design intent. Use a solid background color and save as JPEG for the most predictable display across all platforms.

Why does my podcast cover look blurry in Apple Podcasts?

The most common cause is artwork that is too small. If you upload a 640x640 image, it looks fine at thumbnail size but blurry when displayed at larger sizes in the podcast player. Always upload at 3000x3000 pixels. Also ensure you are saving JPEG at quality 90+ to minimize compression artifacts.

Convert PNG to JPG for podcast artwork

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