Custom Discord Server Background: How to Add a Server Banner

Discord has long allowed users to personalize their servers with custom visuals and branding, but adding a server-level banner is the platform's native way of allowing for custom background visuals at the server level. The addition of this feature was rolled out in July 2021.

However, access to the server banner feature depends on meeting a hard eligibility requirement. Specifically, you must boost your server to Boost Level 2 to unlock the ability to add a server banner, otherwise the banner upload option will not be available.

Discord’s current support documentation says a static server banner is a Level 2 perk, while an animated server banner is a Level 3 perk. Partner servers may have access without purchasing a Boosting Level.

What Is a Discord Server Banner?

A Discord server banner provides an additional opportunity for members to brand and personalize their servers, similar to how the server icon (which can also be uploaded via Discord) serves as the server’s visual identifier. While the server icon is small and sits above the server name, the server banner can appear much larger, covering most of the server selection screen or even the chat window depending on which application you’re using (the desktop client vs. mobile).

You can see what it looks like below.

How to Add a Discord Server Banner

Adding a server banner requires that you’ve boosted your server to Boost Level 2. If you haven’t, then you won’t be able to add one.

Open Server Settings, select Overview, and scroll to Server Banner Background. Server owners and members with Manage Server or Administrator permission can upload or change it. Discord recommends a 16:9 image of at least 960 × 540 pixels.

Note that the “Banner” section is hidden by default, and may only be accessible when your server has been boosted to Boost Level 2.

The banner remains tied to the server’s current perk eligibility. If the server drops below the required level, the available banner behavior can change; check the Server Boosting page before buying boosts solely for this feature.