How to Add a Custom Banner to Your Discord Profile

Hey there! Have you noticed those awesome banners at the top of some Discord profiles? They‘re a great way to showcase your personality and interests.

In this guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to add a custom banner to your own Discord profile. Whether you want to rep your favorite game, share stylish art, or just liven up your profile, banners help you stand out from the crowd.

Let‘s get into it!

What Are Discord Banners?

Let me start by explaining exactly what Discord banners are.

Discord banners are images that display across the top of your profile page. Here‘s an example:

Gaming banner

They‘re a customizable space where you can feature photos, graphics, artwork, or anything visual that represents you. Banners instantly make your profile pop!

Discord rolled out banners as part of the Nitro subscription service. This means only Nitro subscribers can upload custom banners.

But don‘t worry – banners aren‘t just for hardcore Discord users. Anyone can sign up for Nitro and unlock this awesome profile customization perk.

Before we get into the steps, you may be wondering – why bother adding a banner in the first place?

Here are some excellent reasons to use a custom banner on your profile:

Shows off your personality – Banners let you showcase what you‘re into! Feature your favorite games, TV shows, music artists, etc.
Customization – Make your profile stand out instead of looking like every other one.
Branding – Server owners can create banners to match their community‘s brand and theme.
Creativity – Express yourself by designing banners using your own photos, artwork, etc.
Recognition – Icons, colors, and images in your banner help people recognize your profile.

Basically, Discord banners give you a prime spot to share visually who you are. They‘re an easy way to upgrade your profile‘s look and feel.

My banners always feature space photos or sci-fi art to match my username. What would you showcase? Think about your interests as you read this guide!

Now let‘s get into the steps for getting your own awesome banner set up.

Step 1: Get Discord Nitro

Since custom banners are a Nitro-exclusive feature, the first step is making sure you have an active Nitro subscription.

Don‘t have Nitro yet? Here‘s how to sign up:

Open Discord and click the settings gear icon.
Select "Nitro" from the menu.
Choose a subscription plan:
- Nitro Classic ($4.99/month) – Custom banners, animated avatars, etc.
- Nitro ($9.99/month) – Includes Classic perks plus higher quality screen sharing, boosted upload limits, etc.
Enter your payment details to activate your subscription.

And that‘s all it takes to unlock Nitro benefits like banners!

I recommend starting with Nitro Classic if you just want to use banners. You can always upgrade to the full Nitro plan later.

Once your subscription is active, you‘ll gain access to upload a banner. Now let‘s go over how to customize it.

With your Nitro subscription unlocked, it‘s time for the fun part – uploading and customizing your new banner!

Here are the quick steps:

On Desktop:

Click the settings gear and open "User Settings".
Select "My Account" then "Edit Profile".
Click the "Change Banner" button.
Choose your image file when prompted.
Crop, pan, zoom, and adjust the banner preview.
Click "Save Changes" to apply it.

On Mobile:

Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
Tap "User Profile".
Tap the pencil icon to edit your profile.
Tap the banner area and pick an image file.
Adjust the crop and zoom.
Tap "Save" to set your new banner.

See? I told you it was quick and easy! Discord will instantly process and display your new banner.

When editing, use the crop and zoom tools to frame it just how you like. You can re-upload and change your banner any time.

Now let‘s talk about ways to create or find killer images and graphics to use.

You can really use any image for your banner – it‘s up to you! But where exactly can you find good banner content?

Here are some of my favorite options:

Search Free Image Sites

My go-to is browsing free stock photo sites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay. You‘ll find thousands of high quality, unique images you can use.

I‘d search for visuals related to your interests. For example:

Your favorite video games
TV shows, movies, or books you love
Hobbies like sports, nature, technology, etc.
Travel destinations you want to visit
Animals or pets of all kinds!

Just check the license on any image before using to make sure it‘s approved for commercial reuse.

Take Your Own Photos

For a more personal touch, you can create custom banner photos yourself!

Use your phone camera or DSLR to take shots highlighting your interests. Get creative with editing apps to add filters, text, and effects.

Some ideas:

Cosplay or convention photos
Your gaming setup
Landscape photos from trips
Pictures with your pets
Arts and crafts projects
Fandom merchandise or swag

With a bit of effort, you can make a banner that‘s uniquely you.

Commission Custom Artwork

If you want a truly one-of-a-kind banner, consider hiring an artist!

Sites like Fiverr and DeviantArt have tons of talented creators who can paint images to your specifications.

Tell them details like:

Specific characters or mascots
Color schemes and visual themes
Interests or brands you want to showcase

Commissioning custom art is an awesome way to get an original masterpiece to use as your banner. Support artists and get something no one else has!

Now you‘ve got your banner image ready. Here are some pro design tips to make sure it looks amazing:

Use high resolution photos – Low quality or blurry images will get distorted. Use the highest resolution files possible for crisp clarity.
Make it cohesive – Pick visuals that create a coherent theme or style instead of clashing elements.
Allow breathing room – Don‘t cram every inch of the banner. Leave some blank space around key focal points.
Add graphic elements – Fades, shadows, textures, and overlays can add visual interest.
Show off your fandoms – Feature characters and elements from games, shows, etc you love. Just don‘t violate any copyrights!
Change it up occasionally – Freshen up your profile by changing your banner every month or so.

Follow these tips, and your banner is sure to catch eyes and look amazing!

Need some visual inspiration? Here are some awesome banners from real Discord profiles:

Gaming banner

This gaming-themed banner uses cool character art with a clean text logo.

Cosmic banner

A cosmic space scene banner creates an atmospheric, abstract look.

Minimalist banner

A minimalist banner can be simple yet eye-catching.

Landscape banner

An outdoor landscape makes for a natural, refreshing banner.

As you can see, the creative options are endless! Use these examples as inspiration to spark your own banner ideas.

Answers to Common Banner Questions

Here are quick answers to some frequently asked questions about Discord banners:

Do I need Nitro to add a banner?

Yes, custom banners are only for paid Nitro subscribers currently.

What file types can I use?

JPG, PNG, and GIF formats are supported. For images with transparency, PNG works best.

What are the ideal banner dimensions?

Banners work best at around 640 x 240 pixels. Max size is 960 x 540 pixels.

Can I use animated GIFs?

Yep! Animated GIFs up to 10MB can be uploaded as moving banners.

How do I change or remove my current banner?

Upload a new image to replace your existing banner. To remove it, upload a blank or solid color image.

Where can I find awesome images and art for my banner?

Search free stock photo sites, take your own custom photos, or commission artists to create something unique!

Let Your Personality Shine Through

There you have it – everything you need to know to create an amazing custom banner for your Discord profile!

With Discord continuing to grow in popularity, banners are a great way to express your individuality and stand out from the crowd.

It doesn‘t matter if you‘re into gaming, nature, anime, or anything else. With the right banner, you can create an eye-catching profile that shows off your passions.

So get creative with your banner image, customize it to perfection, and upgrade your Discord in style! Your unique presence will help you connect with like-minded people in the Discord community.

I hope this guide gave you ideas and inspiration for the perfect banner. Now get out there and show the world who you are on Discord!

What Are Discord Banners?

Why Use a Custom Banner?

Step 1: Get Discord Nitro

Step 2: Uploading and Editing Your Banner