How to make a Facebook cover video

Your social media pages are the windows to your brand’s soul — and they should look like it. For many, your social profiles are the first time a potential customer sees your brand, which means it’s worth the extra time and attention to detail to make sure they’re tip-top.

That includes your Facebook page. With 1.82 billion daily active users, Facebook is a crucial customer touchpoint that should capture the spirit of your brand and keep people engaged. Enter Facebook covers, which take up serious real estate on your page and are a great place to focus your efforts when sprucing up your socials. That means it’s also a great place to drop in a little video to boost dwell time and make an eye-catching impact.

But if you don’t have a high-quality video handy, you might be wondering how the heck you can make a Facebook video without a DSLR and a couple of hours. Don’t fret: we’ve got you covered.

Key Facebook cover video specs

First, let’s get clear on what sort of specs you’ll need to ensure your Facebook cover video fits well on your page, like:

• Facebook cover video sizes, like dimensions in pixels and gigabytes
• Preferred cover video lengths
• Facebook cover video aspect ratios

What dimensions do I need for my Facebook cover video? 

Your cover video should be at least 1250 x 312 pixels, per Facebook’s best practices. For optimal results though, be sure to choose a video that’s at least 1250 x 463. Facebook cover video aspect ratio should be 2.7. (If this is the first time you’re hearing about Facebook cover video aspect ratios, don’t worry. We’ll get creative with these requirements in just a sec.)

Your cover video should have a max resolution of 1080p. Because the formatting is slightly different on mobile, we also suggest making sure any text or brand imagery is centered in your video, so it looks great on phones, tablets, and desktops.

What file type does my Facebook cover video need to be? 

For best results, Facebook recommends you upload your cover video as an .mp4 or .mov. (Is now a good time to mention that all Vimeo videos automatically download as .mp4s? Handy!) 

How long can a Facebook cover video be? 

Your cover video should run for a minimum of 20 seconds and a maximum of 90 seconds. For best results, choose a video flow that seamlessly loops to add a little elegance and make your cover video look its best.

How to make a Facebook cover video 

Now it’s time to actually make your Facebook cover video. Whether you have your own footage or zilch, we promise it’s easy. Let’s go! 

1. Set up your project

The first step is to create a project! In the top right corner of your screen, hover over “New Video” then choose “Create A Video.” On the next page, choose “Start From Scratch” or choose one of our Facebook cover video templates.

2. Add your media or choose from stock 

Let’s start adding some footage. Tap the “Replace” icon in your right-hand panel to browse stock videos and photos, or upload your own. Facebook cover videos must be at least 20 seconds long, so select a bunch of clips or a couple long ones.

Since you’ll usually be adding a logo on top of the footage, aim to select clips that aren’t too busy, have simple textures, and provide nice contrast to your logo. If they include similar shapes and movement, even better. That’ll help them flow together nicely.

3. Set the dimensions and audio

After you select your clips, navigate to “Format” in the left-hand panel and select the “Landscape” aspect ratio. Cover photos are wide, so this will allow you to make sure the video fits nicely on your Facebook page, even if it’s not strictly a 2.7 aspect ratio.

You won’t need sound with this cover video, so go ahead and and select “Music” from your left-hand panel and toggle the switch to “No Music.”

4. Edit and add your logo

If you’d like to add some custom branded assets, select the “Brand” icon in the left-hand panel and upload your logo, brand kit colors, font, and watermarks to make your video your own.

5. Export and download

Now choose “Save and preview.” Your work will process, then we’ll show you the finished product! If you’re happy with it, choose “Save and share.”

Once your video is done uploading to your account, choose the Download button and then choose Original quality. Now that you’ve got it downloaded…

6. Upload your Facebook video cover

…It’s time to upload it! First, head over to your Facebook page. (You’ll want to do this on desktop to keep it easy.) Once you’re there, hit “Change Cover” and select “Upload photo/video” from the menu. Then, select your new creation and upload it to your profile. 

Once your video is uploaded, make sure you drag and drop your video so it’s nice and centered. Once you have it where you want it, tap “Next.” But you’re not done yet!

Before you officially set it live, make sure you choose a thumbnail. Navigate through the arrows on either side to choose from a gallery of individual frames from your video. Once you’ve chosen your thumbnail, hit “Publish.” Your new cover video is now live! 

Facebook cover video examples and templates 

Did we mention we have a ton of out-of-the-box ready templates you can use to spice up your page in minutes? From videos tailor-made for eCommerce to ones perfect for personal use, there’s a template for whatever your needs are. Let’s review some of our favorites.

Beauty Facebook cover video

Whether you’re a beauty eComm provider or a local skincare specialist, this super glowy template is a perfectly simple cover video to help you connect with your clients.

Marketing Facebook cover video

If you’re in the marketing or PR industry, it’s crucial that your branded visuals are super polished. Enter this handy dandy template, which allows you to show off what you do best, and either keep the professional stock footage or add video of your own.

eCommerce Facebook cover video

If you’re running a Facebook shop or just want to direct users to your online store, this simple and stylish template makes it easy to highlight your latest line and prompt new users to fill up their carts.

Intro Facebook cover video

If you’re not looking to boost your business so much as make your personal account look fly, this liquid metal template is perfect for anyone looking to add a little visual flair to their page.

Restaurant Facebook cover video

Whether you’re running your business on delivery or making it work with distanced dining, this mouth-watering Facebook cover video is perfect for any restaurant looking to snag new customers.

10 tips to make a great Facebook cover video  

Before you go, let’s run through some quick key tips to make sure your Facebook cover videos do what they’re designed to do — build your brand and capture more attention.

1. Use it to prompt action 

We always recommend taking CTA opportunities wherever you can find them. If you’ve got a specific goal in mind (boosting subscribers, increasing website traffic, adding new clients), use the minimal text in your Facebook cover video to prompt viewers to do just that.

2. Refresh frequently

When it comes to the design of your social pages, it’s best practice to reconsider and update what’s necessary every quarter. For some businesses, a single Facebook cover video can carry you through the year with no hiccups, but updating your cover video every few months can help your page looking fresh.

Plus, you can time your Facebook cover video refresh to a new campaign, seasonal moment, or product launch.

3. Choose one visual focus 

There’s a ton to look at on a single Facebook page, so don’t try to pack too much into your cover video. If you’re including text, don’t also opt for hyperactive imagery. You want to focus the eye on what matters most, whether that’s product visuals, campaign footage, or your CTA.

4. Don’t worry about the audio 

While you can totally include audio in your next cover video, it’s safe to assume the vast majority of those who visit your page won’t be watching your content with their mics on. If you do want to include some backing sound, sure whatever audio track you choose isn’t vital to the experience.

5. Prioritize resolution 

Because Facebook cover videos take up so much real estate on your profile page, be sure that whatever visual you choose is as high-res as you can manage. Doing the extra leg work here should have a big visual payoff.

6. Loop your Facebook cover video

Facebook will continuously play the video on a loop, so keep in mind that some users will start watching your video from the middle, and it should make sense to them. So, make the beginning and ending blend smoothly and make every frame count.

7. Stay true to your brand

Your Facebook cover video should reflect your brand’s values, personality, and aesthetics. Please keep it simple and think of it as more of a tool to create a particular atmosphere on your page than a traditional ad. 

8. Be crop-able 

You might have to drag your video to fit, or Facebook will crop it automatically, which can be a bummer if you don’t plan for it. Make sure text and images are center-framed for best results.

9. Leverage positive testimonials from happy customers

Create a video of moving text that will pop out to your potential customers as soon as they visit your business page. Highlight your positive social proof right as your target audience hits your Facebook page.

10. Get creative with your concept

Don’t be afraid to get clever. Try taking viewers on a virtual tour, or opt for slower moving action shots in relaxed colors. If you own a shop, restaurant, venue, or any business with a physical location, showing your viewers around can be a great way to introduce yourself and create a sense of familiarity.

Putting it all together

Anyone who runs a business page on Facebook knows how important it is to optimize every potential piece of real estate on it. From the title to the reviews, even the smallest detail is crucial to potential customers’ first impression of you and your brand.

The cover photo takes up almost half of the first scroll on your page, desktop and mobile, setting the tone for your whole page and telling your brand’s story. When done well, your Facebook cover video will grab attention and look super professional (even if — shhhh — it took only minutes to make).

Make a Facebook cover video now