How to make a Telegram cover: size, format, tips
What the Telegram preview is
When you share a link in a Telegram channel or chat, the messenger automatically extracts a preview of the page: an image, a title and a description. This image is called the OG preview (Open Graph), and it decides whether a user clicks your link or scrolls past.
Telegram cover size
Telegram uses the standard Open Graph size: 1200×630 pixels (1.91:1). It is the same size as for Facebook*, VK and LinkedIn.
The minimum is 200×200 pixels, but images that small look blurry. The recommended size is 1200×630.
How Telegram extracts the preview
When a link is posted, the Telegram bot visits the page and reads its meta tags:
og:image: the URL of the preview imageog:title: the link titleog:description: the description
If these tags are missing, Telegram shows only the URL and possibly the first paragraph of text. Without an image the click-through rate drops noticeably: the link looks less attractive and often gets lost in the feed.
Telegram caching
Important: Telegram caches link previews. If you change og:image, Telegram may keep showing the old picture for another 24–48 hours. To refresh the preview faster:
- Add a version parameter to the URL:
og-image.png?v=2 - Or use the
@WebpageBotbot: send it the link and it refreshes the cache
Tips for Telegram covers
- Large text. Telegram shows the preview in a small window, so the text must stay readable.
- Contrast. Dark text on a light background or the other way round. Avoid fine details.
- Short headline. 4–7 words, up to 60 characters. A long headline gets cut off.
- Brand in the corner. A logo or channel name in the corner of the image improves recognition.
- No small details. At a 320×168 pixel preview, small text is invisible.
How to create a Telegram cover quickly
OG Studio has a ready-made “Open Graph” format (1200×630) that fits Telegram perfectly. The AI copywriter suggests 3 headline options, and ready-made templates plus holiday design collections let you build a cover in 30 seconds. No sign-up, free.
You can also paste a link to an article or website: OG Studio pulls the title and description, and all that is left is to pick a template.
FAQ
What size should a Telegram link cover be?
Use 1200×630 pixels (1.91:1), the standard Open Graph size. The minimum is 200×200, but such small images look blurry.
Why does Telegram show no preview for my link?
Most likely the page has no og:image, og:title and og:description meta tags, or the crawler cannot reach them. Without these tags Telegram shows only the URL and sometimes the first paragraph of text.
How do I refresh a Telegram link preview?
Send the link to @WebpageBot so it refreshes the cache, or add a version parameter to the image URL, for example og-image.png?v=2. Telegram can keep the old picture for 24–48 hours otherwise.
How long should the headline on the cover be?
Keep it to 4–7 words, up to 60 characters. A longer headline gets cut off in the small preview window.
Make your Telegram cover in 30 seconds
*Meta Platforms Inc. is recognized as extremist and banned in Russia.