How to Make a Spotify Canvas: Specs, Uploading and Ideas That Work

Your song is on Spotify, your cover is done, but in the app people still see a static square. You can do more with that space. With a Canvas, a short clip plays with your song while someone listens. In this guide you'll learn what a Canvas is, what specs it has to meet, how to upload it and how to make one that fits your music.

What is a Spotify Canvas?

A Canvas is a short, vertical video that loops. In the Spotify mobile app it replaces your cover art on the Now Playing screen. According to Spotify, listeners can also discover tracks with a Canvas by swiping through visual feeds on Home and in playlists. When someone shares your song to their Instagram Story, your Canvas loops in the background, with a link to play the song on Spotify.

You can add a Canvas to each track and swap it out later. One Canvas per release is fine, but you can also refresh it regularly.

Spotify Canvas specs

These are the technical requirements from Spotify's guidelines:

• Length: 3 to 8 seconds.
• Aspect ratio: vertical, 9:16.
• Height: between 720 and 1080 pixels.
• File type: MP4 or JPG.

Watch that height. A lot of phones shoot vertical video at a higher resolution, so check when you export that your file stays within the limit Spotify gives.

Who can add a Canvas?

You need access to Spotify for Artists. According to Spotify, a Canvas can be added for the first main artist on the track, or for an artist who is a main artist on both the track and the release. On that artist's team you need the Admin or Editor role. You can add a Canvas to any track, including a release that isn't out yet.

No access yet? Start with how to claim Spotify for Artists.

How to add your Canvas on Spotify

On your computer

1. Log in at artists.spotify.com.
2. Go to Music and pick the track.
3. Click Add Canvas and upload your file.

In the app

1. Open the Spotify for Artists app.
2. Tap Music and pick the track.
3. Tap Canvas and choose your video.

How to make a Canvas that works

A Canvas isn't a mini music video. It's a loop someone might see twenty times during one song. Keep that in mind.

Pick how your loop repeats

Spotify names three kinds of loops:

• Continuous loop: the end connects seamlessly to the start, so you don't see a transition.
• Hard cut: a clear edit point, after which the clip starts over.
• Rebound: the clip plays forward and then back in reverse.

A rebound is the easiest if you're just starting out. You don't have to figure out how the start and end line up.

No lip sync

Spotify recommends footage where nobody is talking, singing or rapping. The loop is too short to stay in sync with your lyrics, so it quickly looks messy.

Calm visuals win

Avoid rapid cuts and flashing graphics. One strong shot with a little movement works better than ten shots in a row.

Keep the edges clear

On some phones the edges get cropped, and the app puts buttons and text on top. Keep the important stuff in the middle.

Leave out your name and title

The app already shows your artist name and the song title. They don't need to be in the clip too.

Match it to your cover

Spotify suggests tying your Canvas to your cover art, profile images or playlists. Same colors, same mood. That way people recognize your release right away.

Canvas ideas you can shoot yourself

You don't need a film crew. A phone and a good idea are enough.

• Your cover in motion: let part of your artwork slowly move, zoom in or shimmer.
• A place from the song: the street, the station or the room your lyrics are about, filmed with a slow camera move.
• Studio without lip sync: your hands on the pads or keys, the mic with a light behind it, the waveform of your track on screen.
• A detail in slow motion: smoke, rain on a window, a flickering neon sign. Simple, but it sticks.
• One story for your EP: make a loop for each song, so together they tell one story.

Already made short videos for TikTok or Reels? There's often a good moment in there. Cut out a calm shot without lip sync. More ideas for short videos in how to promote your song with short videos.

What's not allowed in a Canvas?

Spotify has a separate content policy for Canvas. The main points:

• A Canvas isn't meant to sell anything or be overly promotional. Spotify may remove a Canvas used that way.
• No links or websites, no pointing people to ticket vendors and no asking for follows or likes on social media.
• Text has to be about the track itself and can't promote other songs, brands, products, deals or contests.
• Don't use Spotify's logo.
• Does your clip deal with heavy themes like violence, drugs or sexual content, or does it include profanity? Then mark your Canvas as explicit.
• A Canvas that breaks Spotify's Platform Rules gets removed.

Your Canvas in 6 steps

1. Make sure you have access to Spotify for Artists.
2. Pick a visual that fits your cover and the mood of your song.
3. Shoot vertical and keep the important stuff in the middle.
4. Cut a loop of 3 to 8 seconds, with no talking, singing or rapping.
5. Export as an MP4 in 9:16, between 720 and 1080 pixels tall.
6. Upload it under Music and the track, then check it in the Spotify app on your phone.

Plan your Canvas as part of your release

You can add a Canvas before your song is out. So put it on your list in the week before release, together with your pitch and promo. How to plan those weeks is in the four-week release plan. Your cover has to pass review too: check the cover art requirements.

Curious what your streams might roughly earn after release? Work it out with the free streams calculator. And if your track doesn't sound finished yet, get it done with mixing and mastering. Looking for a beat for your next release? Browse all beats.

FAQ

How long can a Spotify Canvas be?

Between 3 and 8 seconds. Then it starts over.

What size should a Canvas be?

Vertical 9:16, between 720 and 1080 pixels tall, as an MP4 or JPG.

Can I use a photo?

According to Spotify's guidelines, a Canvas can also be a JPG. A moving visual usually stands out more, though.

Can I rap or sing in my Canvas?

It isn't banned, but Spotify advises against it. The loop is too short to stay in sync with your lyrics.

Can I change my Canvas later?

Yes. You can add a new Canvas whenever you want, for example when your song gets a second life.

I'm only featured on a track. Can I add a Canvas?

According to Spotify, that's for the first main artist on the track, or an artist who is a main artist on both the track and the release. As a feature, ask the main artist.

Source: Spotify for Artists support pages on Canvas guidelines, adding a Canvas and the Canvas content policy, and the Canvas page on artists.spotify.com.