Technology has transformed the music industry, making it easier for aspiring musicians to record and release their music. With the proliferation of affordable recording software and online distribution platforms, anyone can create and share their music with a global audience.
However, in a rush to focus on the music itself, it’s easy to overlook one crucial aspect of the album release process: the album cover. So, how big should you make it?
The typical CD album cover size is 4-3/4 × 4-3/4 inches or roughly 12 × 12 centimeters. If you want to upload your music to various streaming platforms, the typically required size is 1600 × 1600 pixels. Take a look at the platform’s required covert art requirements for more precise details.
In this guide, I’ll be going to take a look at album cover size standards based on some of the world’s most popular streaming platforms, as well as the different sizes for various physical album media.
Album Cover Sizes per Streaming Platform Standards
Aspiring musicians can release their music on various streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, reaching millions of listeners worldwide. However, to do so, they must adhere to the policies set forth by those platforms, which include specific requirements for album cover sizes.
Here, I’ll be going to look at what those size standards are for some of the world’s most popular streaming services.
1. Spotify
Spotify is the ultimate music companion that takes you on a journey of sound, style, and sensation. With over 70 million songs and a community of music lovers, it’s a world of endless possibilities for those seeking new sounds and undiscovered artists.
Spotify Cover Art Requirements:
- At least 640 pixels wide and tall (1:1 aspect ratio)
- TIFF, PNG, or JPG format
- Highest resolution possible
- Encoded with sRGB color space, 24 bits per pixel
2. Apple Music
Apple Music is the musical genie that grants your every wish. With over 75 million songs, it’s a treasure trove of sound that offers endless possibilities for music lovers around the world. It’s a portal into the world of music that offers exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access to your favorite artists, and a personalized experience that’s tailored to your unique tastes.
Apple Music Cover Art Requirements:
- At least 4000 × 4000 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- JPG, PNG, or GIF format
3. Tidal
Tidal is the ultimate sonic sanctuary that transports you to a world of high-quality sound and unmatched music experiences. With over 70 million songs, it offers a deep dive into the world of music, featuring exclusive content and breathtaking performances from the biggest names in the industry. Tidal’s defining feature is its commitment to high-fidelity sound quality, offering lossless audio that captures every detail of your favorite songs. With Tidal, you can hear the music as it was intended to be heard, with all its nuances and subtleties perfectly preserved.
- 1600 × 1600 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- At least 72 DPI
4. iTunes
iTunes revolutionized the music industry by providing a one-stop shop for buying and organizing digital music. With its sleek and intuitive interface, iTunes made it easy for users to build music collections and create playlists matching their tastes. While iTunes is no longer the go-to destination for buying and downloading music, it still plays an important role as a media player and library organizer for users who prefer to manage their own music collections.
iTunes Cover Art Requirements:
- At least 4000 × 4000 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- JPG, PNG, or GIF format
5. Amazon Music
Amazon Music is a one-stop shop for music lovers everywhere, offering an unparalleled listening experience. With its vast library of songs, curated playlists, and radio stations, Amazon Music has something for everyone.
But what sets Amazon Music apart is its ability to integrate seamlessly with other Amazon devices, like Alexa and Echo, allowing users to control their music hands-free. Just ask Alexa to play your favorite song or playlist, and the music starts playing.
Amazon Music Cover Art Requirements:
- At least 1600 × 1600 pixels, but 3000 × 3000 is recommended (1:1 aspect ratio)
- For 3000 × 3000-inch pixels, physical size is 10 × 10 inches (25.4 × 25.4 cm)
- At least 72 DPI
- At least 300 DPI for physical copies
6. YouTube Music
YouTube Music is the ultimate destination for music enthusiasts who want to dive deep into their favorite songs and artists. It offers a vast collection of music videos, live performances, and audio tracks, all in one place.
It uses Google’s advanced algorithms to provide personalized recommendations, allowing users to discover new music that matches their tastes. And with its offline playback feature, users can download their favorite songs and listen to them on the go without an internet connection.
YouTube Music Covert Art Requirements:
- At least 1400 × 1400 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- At most 4098 × 4098 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- PNG or JPEG format
- 300 DPI
7. Deezer
Deezer is the music streaming platform that brings the world’s music to your fingertips. With its vast library of over 73 million songs and podcasts, it’s the ultimate destination for music lovers who want to explore new sounds and genres.
Its “Flow” feature uses artificial intelligence to create a personalized playlist based on users’ listening history, providing a seamless and uninterrupted listening experience. And with its “Mixes” feature, Deezer curates playlists based on mood, genre, and activity, making it the perfect companion for any occasion.
Deezer Cover Art Requirements:
- 3000 × 3000 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- JPEG or PNG format
8. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a one-of-a-kind music streaming platform that provides a unique space for independent and emerging artists to share their music with the world. With its open platform, anyone can upload and share their music, giving users access to an unparalleled selection of underground and experimental sounds.
Its community features, such as commenting and reposting, allow users to engage with artists and connect with other music lovers who share their passion for niche sounds and genres.
SoundCloud Cover Art Requirements:
- At least 800 × 800 pixels (1:1 aspect ratio)
- JPG or PNG format
- Up to 2 MB in size
How Many Pixels in an Inch?
A pixel, short for “picture element,” is the smallest unit of a digital image that can be displayed or printed. It is a tiny square or dot of color that creates an image when combined with other pixels. A single pixel will measure around 0.0104 inches, so there should be around 96 pixels per inch.
The number of pixels in an image determines its resolution or level of detail. Higher-resolution images have more pixels, resulting in sharper and more detailed images. In contrast, lower-resolution images have fewer pixels, resulting in a more pixelated or blurred image.
Pixels per inch (PPI) is a measure of the density of pixels in an image. It refers to the number of pixels that fit within a one-inch area of the image. The higher the PPI, the more pixels there are per inch, resulting in a higher resolution and sharper image.
Cover Sizes for Physical Albums
While physical copies of music have pretty much gone the way of the dinosaurs, they’ve surprisingly made somewhat of a comeback as of late. This is partially due to the fact that the recording artist can have more control over the distribution and revenue generated by selling their music.
Anyway, if you want to make physical copies of your album, here are the cover sizes for the various physical album media.
- CDs—4-3/4 × 4-3/4 inches (12.1 × 12.1 cm)
- Cassette tapes—2-1/2 × 4 × ½ inches (6.4 × 10.2 × 1.3 cm)
- Vinyl records—12-3/8 × 12-3/8 inches (31.4 × 31.4 cm)
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