Discord Avatar Size Guide 2026: Perfect PFP Dimensions & Tips
Published July 8, 2026 · Updated regularly · Discord 🎮
Why Your Discord Avatar (PFP) Matters
Your Discord avatar — commonly called a PFP (profile picture) — is your identity across every server you join. It appears next to every message you send, in every voice channel, and on your profile card.
In the Discord community, your PFP says a lot about you. Anime avatars, pixel art, minimalist designs, and stylized illustrations are all popular choices. Unlike LinkedIn's professional expectations, Discord embraces creativity and self-expression.
Discord has over
200 million monthly active users, and the PFP culture is a huge part of the platform's identity.
Discord Avatar: Exact Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|
| Recommended Upload Size | 512 × 512 pixels |
| Minimum Size | 128 × 128 pixels |
| Display Size (Server List) | 128 × 128 px |
| Display Size (Chat Messages) | 80 × 80 px |
| Display Size (Profile Pop-out) | 80 × 80 px |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1 (square) |
| Display Shape | Circle |
| Max File Size (Free) | 8 MB |
| Max File Size (Nitro) | 10 MB |
| Supported Formats | JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP |
| Animated Avatars | ✅ Yes (GIF — Nitro only) |
Pro tip: Upload at 512×512 even though Discord displays at 128×128. Higher resolution ensures your avatar looks crisp on retina displays and when users click to view your profile.
Popular Discord PFP Styles in 2026
Discord's community has developed strong preferences for certain avatar styles:
- Anime characters — The most popular PFP category. Both existing anime characters and custom anime-style avatars of yourself
- Pixel art — Retro gaming aesthetic, very popular in tech and gaming servers
- Minimalist/abstract — Clean geometric designs, gradients, or simple illustrations
- Matching couple/duo PFPs — Popular for friends and partners in shared servers
- AI-generated stylized avatars — Anime, cyberpunk, and fantasy styles created from real photos
- Meme avatars — Funny images, reaction faces, or viral meme characters
Our Anime style is specifically designed for Discord — it creates a polished anime illustration that stands out in server lists and chat.
Best Practices for Discord PFPs
- High contrast works best — Your PFP appears tiny (80px) in chat, so bold colors and clear shapes stand out
- Avoid small text — Text is unreadable at 80×80 pixels
- Center your subject — Discord crops to a circle, so corners get cut off
- Consider the dark theme — Most Discord users use dark mode; bright avatars pop against dark backgrounds
- Test at small size — Zoom out to see how your PFP looks at actual chat size
- Animated GIFs (Nitro) — If you have Nitro, animated avatars are eye-catching but keep the animation subtle
Discord Server Icon Size
If you also manage a Discord server, here are the server icon specs:
| Specification | Value |
|---|
| Recommended Size | 512 × 512 pixels |
| Display Size | 48 × 48 px (server list) |
| Shape | Circle |
| Animated | ✅ Yes (boosted servers) |
How to Create an Anime Discord Avatar with AI
Create a custom anime avatar from your photo in under 30 seconds:
- Upload any face photo — A selfie or any clear photo works
- Choose "Anime" style — Generates a polished anime illustration
- Select Discord — Auto-sized to 512×512 pixels
- Adjust the crop — Center your face in the circle
- Download — Upload directly to Discord settings
Create your anime Discord PFP →