Everyone knows release artwork is 3000×3000. Playlists and podcasts follow different rules, and each platform has its own. Here they are in one table, plus the single file that passes everywhere.
Playlist covers
| Platform | Size | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | 640×640 px, minimum 300×300 | JPG, under 4 MB | set from the playlist page; text shrinks fast, keep it big |
| Apple Music | square, 1000×1000 or larger | JPG or PNG | custom artwork available to the playlist creator |
| YouTube Music | square 1280 px or larger, or 16:9 on YouTube | JPG or PNG | shared with the YouTube playlist |
| Amazon Music | square, 1000×1000 or larger | JPG or PNG | custom images on user playlists |
| Deezer | square | JPG or PNG | default is a collage of track covers |
Podcast covers
| Platform | Size | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Podcasts | 3000×3000 (minimum 1400×1400) | JPG or PNG, RGB |
| Spotify | 3000×3000 recommended, minimum 640×640 | JPG or PNG |
| YouTube Music | 3000×3000 | JPG or PNG |
| Amazon Music / Audible | 3000×3000 | JPG or PNG |
How playlist art differs from release art
Release artwork goes through a distributor and moderation: no URLs, no platform logos, no blur. Playlist artwork you set yourself, and the only rules are size, other people’s brands and explicit imagery. But it lives in a tiny thumbnail — 60–100 px in lists — so fine detail and thin type simply vanish. Release specs are covered in how to release a song on Spotify and Apple Music.
One file for every platform
- Make a 3000×3000 JPG at quality 90+: it works for podcasts and any playlist.
- A large centred title, nothing small near the edges — thumbnails crop or blur them.
- For Spotify save a 640×640 copy and keep it under 4 MB — the free image resizer handles the size and the converter the format.
- Need playlist art that matches your release? Pieces in the catalog come at 3000×3000 and fit without changes.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t Spotify accept my playlist cover?
Usually the file is over 4 MB or a PNG: save a 640×640 JPG. The other case is content review — other brands’ logos or explicit imagery.
Can I use my release cover for a podcast?
By size, yes — 3000×3000. But podcast art needs a readable show title on the image: directories often display it with no caption.
Does a playlist cover affect the algorithm?
Not directly. It affects clicks and follows, which do feed the algorithm — so a clear, bold cover still matters.
Need cover art for the release?
Premade covers from $39 — a 3000×3000 px JPEG with your artist name and track title, sold to one buyer only. Delivered by email within 12 hours.