Canvas is the short looping video Spotify shows in place of your cover while the track plays. It earns nothing by itself, but it measurably lifts saves, playlist adds and story shares. Here are the exact 2026 requirements, the upload flow and how to make one when all you have is the cover.
Spotify Canvas requirements in 2026
The most common mistake: treating Canvas like a music video or a snippet. It needs no editing, story or sound — one scene that loops beautifully is enough. A slow zoom on the artwork, smoke, rain, light leaks, particles.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Format | MP4 with no audio, or JPG |
| Aspect ratio | 9:16, vertical |
| Size | 720 to 1080 px tall; 1080×1920 is the sweet spot |
| Length | 3 to 8 seconds |
| Loop | plays on repeat — the seam between end and start must be invisible |
| Where it shows | mobile app only; desktop and the web player don’t display Canvas |
How to upload a Canvas
You need a claimed profile for Spotify for Artists — how to get one is in how to get verified on Spotify and Apple Music.
- Wait for the release to go live: Canvas can only be added to tracks already on Spotify.
- Open Spotify for Artists — app or web — pick the track and the Canvas tab.
- Upload the MP4 or JPG, check the preview on a phone and save. Review usually takes a few hours to a day.
- You can replace it any time; on an album each track gets its own Canvas.
Canvas vs Apple Music motion artwork
Apple Music also shows moving artwork, but it is delivered by your distributor with the release rather than uploaded by you, and the rules differ: the first frame must match the static cover exactly and the loop must have no fades or hard cuts. Not every distributor delivers motion artwork — check before you plan on it.
The practical takeaway: make one vertical loop for Canvas, Reels and Stories, and a separate square animation for Apple if your distributor supports it.
How to make a Canvas from a static cover
A ready-made motion cover
The fastest route is animating the artwork itself: slow push-in, layered parallax, light and particles. We make motion covers at 1080×1920, which fits Canvas, Stories and Reels alike — ready-made versions start at $15.
An After Effects template
If you work in After Effects, grab an animation template: drop in the cover, artist name and title, export 8 seconds without audio — that is your Canvas.
DIY in CapCut or Canva
Place the cover on a 1080×1920 canvas, add a slow zoom and a smoke or grain overlay, export 6–8 seconds with no audio. The one thing to check is the seam: the last frame has to flow into the first.
What Canvas actually does
Spotify’s own data shows tracks with Canvas get more saves, playlist adds and story shares — because when a listener shares from the app to Instagram, it is the Canvas that goes out, not a static image. It is a free promo layer you build once. Pair it with editorial pitching — see how to get on Spotify playlists.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Canvas need sound?
No — Spotify strips it. The loop plays over the track itself.
Can I upload a Canvas before release day?
No, only to a live track. Prepare it in advance and upload on release day.
Why can’t I see my Canvas?
It shows only in the mobile app and only for listeners who have the feature enabled. Desktop and the web player never show it.
Can I reuse my Reels snippet as a Canvas?
Yes, if it is vertical and has no full-screen text: trim it to 8 seconds, remove the audio and check the loop.
Need a motion cover?
A ready-made motion cover from $15, a custom animation from $50. You get an MP4 1080×1920 (9:16) for Stories, Reels and Shorts.