You can upload a custom image as your Discord server banner in the server settings menu

Discord lets you replace the default server banner with any image you own. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on desktop and mobile. You'll need to be a server owner or have the "Manage Server" permission to make this change.

The banner appears at the top of your server's home page and in the server list when someone hovers over your server name. It's one of the first things people see when they join, so choosing an image that represents your server's purpose or community helps set the tone.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your server settings by clicking the server name at the top left, then select "Server Settings" from the dropdown menu.
  • Go to the "Overview" tab and scroll down to find the banner upload area, which shows a preview of your current banner or a blank space if you don't have one yet.
  • Click the banner area to upload an image file from your computer; Discord accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF formats up to 10 MB in size.
  • Your image will be cropped to fit Discord's banner dimensions (1920 × 1080 pixels), so test how it looks before saving.

Step-by-step process on desktop

Start by opening Discord and navigating to the server you want to change. Click the server name at the very top left of the screen — it's next to the server icon. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Select "Server Settings" from that menu. You'll land on the "Overview" tab by default, which is exactly where you need to be. Scroll down until you see the banner section. If your server already has a banner, you'll see it displayed. If not, you'll see a blank area with an upload prompt.

Click directly on the banner area or the upload button within it. Your computer's file browser will open. Navigate to the image you want to use, select it, and click "Open." Discord will show you a preview of how the image will look as your banner. If you're happy with it, click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page.

Step-by-step process on mobile

Open Discord on your phone and tap the server you want to edit. Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) at the bottom right of the screen to open the navigation panel.

Scroll down and tap "Server Settings." You'll see the Overview tab is already selected. Scroll down to find the banner section. Tap the banner area or the upload icon. Your phone's photo library will open. Select the image you want to use and confirm the selection.

Discord will show you a preview of how the banner will appear. If it looks right, tap "Save" or "Done" to confirm the change. The banner will update immediately on your server's home page.

Image requirements and best practices

Discord accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files for server banners. The file size limit is 10 MB, which is large enough for high-quality images. Most photos and graphics you already have will meet these requirements without any editing.

The banner displays at 1920 × 1080 pixels on desktop, but Discord will crop your image to fit this ratio. If your image is a different shape — say, a square or a tall rectangle — the edges will be cut off. Before uploading, think about what parts of your image are most important. If you're using a photo with a person's face, make sure the face is centered so it doesn't get cropped out.

Test your banner by looking at your server's home page after uploading. On desktop, the banner takes up the full width at the top. On mobile, it appears smaller. If you're not happy with how it looks, you can delete it and upload a different image. There's no limit to how many times you can change it.

How to remove or replace your server banner

If you want to remove your banner entirely, go back to Server Settings and the Overview tab. Hover over the banner image and click the trash icon that appears. Confirm the deletion, and your server will return to the default blank banner.

To replace your banner with a different image, follow the same upload steps. You don't need to delete the old one first — just click the banner area and select a new image. Discord will replace it automatically when you save.

Troubleshooting common issues

If your image won't upload, check the file size first. If it's larger than 10 MB, you'll need to compress it or use a different image. On Windows, right-click the file and select "Properties" to see the size. On Mac, click the file and press Command+I to see file information.

If the banner looks blurry or pixelated after uploading, your original image may be too small. Discord works best with images that are at least 1920 × 1080 pixels. If you're using a smaller image, it will be stretched to fit, which causes blurriness. Try a larger image or a different photo.

If you have the right permissions but the "Save Changes" button is grayed out, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening Discord. Sometimes the app needs to reload to register your changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an animated GIF as my server banner?

Yes, Discord supports animated GIFs for server banners. Upload it the same way you would a static image. The animation will play when people view your server, though some users may see only the first frame depending on their settings.

What happens if my image is the wrong size?

Discord will automatically crop your image to fit the 1920 × 1080 banner dimensions. The center of your image is kept, and the edges are cut off. If important details are near the edges, they may disappear. Preview the result before saving and re-upload a different image if needed.

Do I need special permissions to change the server banner?

Yes, you must be the server owner or have the "Manage Server" permission. If you don't see the Server Settings option, ask your server owner to give you this permission in the role settings.

Can members see who changed the banner?

No, Discord doesn't show a log of who uploaded the banner or when it was changed. Only people with access to Server Settings can see the banner upload history.

Is there a way to schedule a banner change for a specific time?

Discord doesn't have a built-in scheduling feature for banners. You'll need to manually upload a new banner whenever you want to change it. Some server management bots may offer scheduling, but you'd need to set those up separately.