Spotify Canvas Size: Dimensions, Length and File Format
Spotify Canvas uses a vertical 9:16 composition. Video loops must be 3–8 seconds long; Spotify's current guidelines list MP4 or JPG and a height of 720–1080 pixels. These are Canvas requirements, not the dimensions for a square album cover or a general social-media video.
This page is the technical reference. Use the Spotify Canvas creation tutorial for editing and Canvas ideas and examples by genre for creative direction.
Spotify Canvas size and dimensions
- Orientation: vertical, with a 9:16 width-to-height ratio.
- Height: 720–1080 pixels in the current official guidance.
- Duration for video: 3–8 seconds.
- File formats: MP4 or JPG.
Check the official Spotify Canvas guidelines and the current uploader before exporting. A preset called “vertical video” or “Spotify Canvas” is not proof that its output meets the current requirements.
What does 9:16 mean in pixels?
The width is nine units for every sixteen units of height. For example, 576 × 1024 pixels has an exact 9:16 ratio and a height within the range above. This is a calculated example, not an exclusive size mandated by Spotify.
Check width and height separately: a common 1080 × 1920 social-video export is 1920 pixels tall, not 1080 pixels tall. Do not confuse the width label with Spotify's stated height range.
Spotify Canvas length and the loop seam
Keep the entire exported video within 3–8 seconds, including fades and any repeated segment. For a forward-and-reverse loop, count both halves. Watch the file repeatedly to catch a visible pause, an accidental black frame, or a jump between the end and the beginning.
A restrained light movement, a gentle camera move, or a repeating texture is often easier to loop cleanly than a sequence of unrelated scenes.
Keep important details clear of interface crops
Spotify warns that phone screens can crop the edges and recommends considering a Canvas without artist or song-name text. Keep the main subject away from the extreme edges and preview it in Spotify for Artists. There is no universal safe-area measurement on this page that can guarantee identical presentation on every device.
Canvas is not square album artwork
Your release still needs its square cover. Adapt the scene to portrait by extending the background or rebuilding layers; do not stretch faces or objects. Use the album cover dimensions guide for the static image. Apple Music motion artwork is a different delivery workflow, covered in our Apple Music animated artwork guide.
Before uploading your Canvas
- Confirm the actual file dimensions, duration, and format after export.
- Check for black frames, unintended borders, and a visible loop seam.
- Keep the central subject recognizable on a phone.
- Avoid rapid flashes and distracting cuts.
- Check permissions for all footage, artwork, and other assets.
- Upload in Spotify for Artists and inspect its preview before saving.
For upload steps, follow Spotify's instructions for adding a Canvas. A missing Canvas and an upload error are different problems; check Spotify's current help for the specific message rather than changing your cover artwork at random.
Frequently asked questions
Can Spotify Canvas be a JPG?
Yes. The current guidelines include JPG as well as MP4. The video duration requirement concerns moving clips.
Does a Canvas need its own soundtrack?
You do not need a separate promotional soundtrack for this visual. It accompanies the selected track rather than functioning as a standalone social-media advertisement.
Can I use the same file for Reels?
The creative material can be adapted, but check each destination separately. Duration, audio, overlays, and output requirements are not automatically interchangeable.
Will adding Canvas guarantee more streams?
No. It adds a visual presentation, not a guaranteed ranking, playlist placement, or stream count.
Build a consistent visual release
Explore cover animation services or start with exclusive premade cover art. Each premade design is sold to one buyer and removed from sale after purchase. Check the selected product's deliverables and coordinate customization and delivery with our team.
