Kickstarter image size, in short: Kickstarter recommends a project image of 1024×576 pixels, a 16:9 ratio, in JPEG, PNG, GIF or BMP, up to 50 MB. After funding, the Spotlight page image is resized to fit within 700 px wide and 800 px tall, and Kickstarter suggests cropping it to 16:9 first. Export at 2048×1152 for a sharper project image.
More on this topic: Marketplace image requirements, every guide in one place.
The project image is the thumbnail backers see on Kickstarter's discover pages, in search and when your link is shared, so it does more selling than any image in your campaign. This guide covers the official sizes, why a larger 16:9 export is worth it, what to put on the project image, sizing images and GIFs for the campaign story, and how to make a 16:9 image from a square product photo. The free image cropper locks to 16:9, and the resizer exports exactly 1024×576 or any other size.
- Project image: 1024×576 px (16:9), Kickstarter's recommendation.
- Formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF or BMP recommended; most major formats are accepted.
- Max file size: 50 MB.
- Spotlight image: resized to fit 700 px wide by 800 px tall; crop to 16:9 first.
- Better export: 2048×1152 px, same 16:9 shape, sharper on high-density screens.
What size is the Kickstarter project image?
1024×576 pixels in a 16:9 ratio. Kickstarter's help page recommends that size, accepts most major image formats (with JPEG, PNG, GIF or BMP recommended for best results), and allows files up to 50 MB. Some older guides quote 640×480; that 4:3 size is out of date.
| Image | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Project image (recommended) | 1024×576 px, 16:9 | JPEG, PNG, GIF or BMP; up to 50 MB |
| Project image (sharper export) | 2048×1152 px, 16:9 | Twice the recommended size |
| Spotlight page main image | Resized to fit 700×800 px | Crop to 16:9 before uploading |
| Older guidance (outdated) | 640×480 px, 4:3 | Don't design for this |
Kickstarter's project image and Spotlight image guidance on its help pages were checked in October 2026. Marketplaces change their rules, so confirm the current requirements in your seller dashboard before you upload a large batch.
Why go bigger than 1024×576? The project image appears at many sizes, from small cards on phones to large previews when shared, and high-density screens draw each display pixel with two or more physical pixels. A 2048×1152 file keeps the same 16:9 shape and stays crisp; compress it so it loads quickly. See 16:9 aspect ratio for all the common 16:9 sizes.
What should a Kickstarter project image show?
Your product, clearly, at a glance. Backers scroll past dozens of projects, so the image should make the product and its appeal obvious at thumbnail size, without relying on text.
- Show the real product (or the best prototype render), large in the frame.
- One idea: the product in use, or the product hero shot with a simple background. Not a collage of every feature.
- Little or no text: the project title already sits next to the image. If you add text, keep it to a few large words.
- Keep key content away from the edges so different crops and previews don't cut it.
- Avoid fine detail that disappears at thumbnail size.
Shrink your project image to about 300 px wide on screen. If you can't tell what the product is in a second, simplify: fewer objects, more contrast, a bigger product.
For hero shots and scenes, see our lifestyle product photography ideas; for prototype photos with a phone, how to take product photos with your phone.
How do I make a 16:9 project image from a square product photo?
Extend the background instead of cropping the product. Most product photos are square or 4:3, and cropping them to 16:9 cuts off the top and bottom. Adding background at the sides keeps the whole product and gives you space for a clean composition.
| Method | How | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pad with a color | Free resizer, custom 2048×1152, fit with padding | Free |
| Crop a wide photo | Free cropper locked to 16:9 | Free |
| AI extend the background | AI image extender, banner size 1920×1080 | 8 credits |
| New scene around the product | AI background generator, then crop to 16:9 | 8 credits |
- Start from your best product photo, ideally on a clean background.
- If it isn't already wide, extend it to 16:9 with the AI image extender (1920×1080 banner preset), or pad it with a matching color in the free resizer.
- Want a lifestyle feel? Place the product in a scene with the AI background generator; it keeps the product as shot and generates only the setting.
- Resize to 2048×1152 (or 1024×576) in the free resizer.
- Compress with the free image compressor and upload.
Turn a square product photo into a wide 16:9 image without cropping the product. 8 credits per size.
Extend an image7 days free · 50 credits · No credit cardWhat size should images in the Kickstarter story be?
Export story images wide enough to stay sharp in the campaign column on high-density screens, keep one consistent width for all of them, and compress every file. The story is where backers decide, and dozens of heavy images make it slow on phones.
| Story image type | Shape | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Section headers | Wide strip | Large, readable type; consistent style |
| Feature callouts | Square or 4:3 | One feature per image, product large |
| Reward tiers and add-ons | Wide or square | Show exactly what each pledge includes |
| Comparison and specs | Wide | Big numbers, few words |
| Animated GIFs | Same width as other images | Short loops, small file size |
Kickstarter shows the story column narrower than the full page, so preview the campaign on desktop and phone before launch and check that text inside images stays readable. Animated GIFs showing the product in use are popular in campaign stories; the free GIF maker builds one from a few product photos in your browser. Keep GIFs short, because large ones load slowly.
What are common Kickstarter project image mistakes?
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Square or portrait image | Extend or pad it to 16:9 before uploading |
| Designing for the old 640×480 size | Use 1024×576 or 2048×1152 |
| Long headline across the image | Let the title do the talking; a few words at most |
| Small product in a busy scene | Make the product the largest thing in the frame |
| Uncompressed 20–50 MB file | Compress to a few hundred kilobytes |
| Render that looks nothing like the prototype | Show what backers will actually get |
What size is the Kickstarter Spotlight image?
Kickstarter resizes the Spotlight page's main image to a maximum of 700 px wide and 800 px tall, and recommends cropping it to 16:9 before upload, since that's how it's displayed. Spotlight is the page your project becomes after it's funded, so reuse your 16:9 project image or make a "thank you, backers" version.
Which other launch images use the same 16:9 shape?
Several. One 16:9 master image can be reused for your pre-launch page, YouTube video thumbnail and link previews, with small adjustments for each.
| Use | Size | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Kickstarter project image | 1024×576 (recommended), 2048×1152 export | 16:9 |
| YouTube thumbnail for the campaign video | 1280×720 | 16:9 |
| Gumroad cover (for digital rewards) | 1280×720 | 16:9 |
| Instagram feed post | 1080×1350 | 4:5 (make a separate version) |
See YouTube thumbnail size, Gumroad cover image size and product launch social media posts for the rest of your launch images.
Launching on Indiegogo instead? See our Indiegogo image size guide for its thumbnail, cover and gallery sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Kickstarter project image?
Kickstarter recommends 1024×576 pixels (16:9). Exporting at 2048×1152 keeps the same shape and looks sharper.
What file types does Kickstarter accept for images?
Most major formats; Kickstarter recommends JPEG, PNG, GIF or BMP for best results.
What is the maximum image file size on Kickstarter?
50 MB, though a compressed 16:9 JPG is usually well under 1 MB.
What aspect ratio is the Kickstarter project image?
16:9 landscape.
What size is the Kickstarter Spotlight image?
It's resized to fit within 700 px wide and 800 px tall; Kickstarter recommends cropping it to 16:9 before uploading.
Should I put text on my Kickstarter project image?
Keep it minimal. The title already appears with the image, so a clear product shot usually works better than text.
Can I use GIFs in a Kickstarter campaign?
Yes, GIFs are common in campaign stories. Keep them short and compressed so the page loads quickly.
Extend product photos to 16:9, place prototypes in lifestyle scenes, and export every size your campaign and launch posts need.
Start free trialSee pricing7 days free · 50 credits · No credit card. Trial images carry a small “Made with aiarter” mark; paid plans export clean files you can use commercially.
