Make a podcast cover
Tell a visual specialist what your podcast is about and the mood you want, choose a square shape and a look, and get cover art that reads well even as a thumbnail. Iterate on colour and type until it pops, then download it ready for the podcast directories.
Your cover is the first thing a listener sees. Make one that stops the scroll in the podcast app — no designer required.
Step by step
- 1
Describe the show
Say the theme, the vibe, and who it is for so the art matches the feel of the podcast.
- 2
Choose a square, bold look
Pick the square shape and a high-contrast style so it stands out in a grid of covers.
- 3
Check it small
Shrink it in your mind: if the title still reads at thumbnail size, it works.
- 4
Download and publish
Save the cover and upload it when you submit the show to the directories.
Design for the thumbnail
Most people meet your cover as a tiny square. Big type, strong contrast, and one clear idea beat a busy design that turns to mush when shrunk.
Key terms
- Square shape.
- The 1:1 aspect ratio podcast directories expect for cover art.
- Legibility.
- How well the title reads when the cover is shrunk to a thumbnail.
FAQ
What shape should a podcast cover be?
Square (1:1) — pick that shape before generating so it fits the directories without cropping.
Will the title be readable?
Keep the type big and high-contrast; check it at thumbnail size, where most listeners first see it.