How to Make a Spotify Canvas: Specs and Steps

Last updated 21 October 2026.

Canvas replaces the static cover art on the Now Playing screen with a looping clip. Artists use it to add motion to a release without commissioning a full music video. Because the clip is only a few seconds long and loops endlessly, the design rules are different from a normal YouTube upload: it has to look good on repeat, and it has to work in a tall phone frame.

What are the Spotify Canvas specs?

These are the long-standing basics. Spotify can change its requirements, so treat this table as a starting point and check Spotify for Artists for the current rules before you export.

Spotify also asks that Canvas avoids certain content, such as prominent text overlays, links, or anything misleading. Read their guidelines for the exact wording.

How do you make a Spotify Canvas? (step by step)

1. Pick the section of the song. Choose a stretch of 3 to 8 seconds with a clear beat or movement, such as the hook or a drop. Because the clip loops, avoid sections that start with a pickup or end on a long tail.
2. Cut the audio to that section. Use the Audio Trimmer or Audio Cutter to isolate it. This keeps the visual reactivity tied to the part that matters.
3. Make the loop seamless. The Loop Maker repeats a selected section, which helps you check where the cut point lands. Cut on a beat so the end flows into the start.
4. Open Shimga Studio and add the audio. Go to the studio and drag the trimmed file in. You can build and preview without signing in.
5. Set the canvas to 9:16. Choose the vertical ratio so the preview matches the phone screen.
6. Design for the loop. Use a centred spectrum or waveform, a cover-art or looping-video background, and slow, continuous motion. Avoid effects that build over time, because they will visibly reset every loop.
7. Export an MP4 at 1080p. Use the 9:16 canvas, 1080p, and 24 or 30 fps. Sign in when prompted.
8. Upload in Spotify for Artists. Open the track, choose Canvas, and add the file. Spotify reviews it before it appears.

How do you make the loop feel seamless?

A loop works when the last frame is almost the same as the first. A few habits help:

• Use looping backgrounds. A video background that already loops, or a static image with a pulsing spectrum on top, avoids a visible jump.
• Cut on the beat. If the clip is a whole number of bars, the rhythm of the visuals lines up on repeat.
• Keep reactivity moderate. Settings linked to the bass will jump at each loop start if the audio does. Smooth them with lower sensitivity.
• Avoid fade-ins and fade-outs. They signal "the clip restarted" to viewers.

You can also use keyframes to return a setting to its starting value at the end of the clip.

What should a Canvas look like?

People see Canvas on a phone, often in the top half of the screen, with the track title and controls below. Keep key elements in the central area and leave room at the bottom. Large, simple shapes read better than fine detail. A logo or emblem in the middle of a circular spectrum works well because it stays recognisable at small sizes.

Avoid putting text on the clip. Spotify guidelines discourage text overlays, and the track info is already on screen. If you want colour inspiration, see colour theory for visualizers.

Does a Spotify Canvas need Shimga Pro?

Usually not. A 9:16 clip of 3 to 8 seconds at 1080p and 30 fps, built from standard layers, exports without Pro and without a watermark. Pro is only required if the scene uses Pro elements (such as Circle Spectrum V3, Particles V3, 3D elements, advanced effects or the Pro template pack), or if you pick 2K/4K or 60 fps. Pro is paid: $5 per month with a 7-day trial, $3 for 5 exports within 3 days, or $131 lifetime. A Canvas never needs more than 1080p, so you rarely need the higher-resolution options.

Common Canvas mistakes

• Wrong orientation. A 16:9 export will be cropped or rejected. Always build at 9:16.
• Too long. Keep it within Spotify's current length range.
• Visible jump at the loop point. Check by letting the export play three or four times in a row.
• Dense detail. Tiny particles and thin lines disappear on a phone.

For more detail on the tool itself, see the Spotify Canvas Maker page, the longer Canvas generator guide, and the Canvas creator post. For vertical sizes on other platforms, see best aspect ratios for music videos.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Spotify Canvas?

A Spotify Canvas is a vertical 9:16 video. 1080x1920 is a safe target, and Spotify has asked for a minimum width of about 720 pixels. Check Spotify for Artists for the current requirements.

How long can a Spotify Canvas be?

Canvas clips are short loops, roughly 3 to 8 seconds. Confirm the current range in Spotify for Artists before exporting.

Can I make a Spotify Canvas without video editing software?

Yes. You can trim a section of your track, build a vertical visualizer in Shimga Studio and export an MP4 from your browser without installing anything.

Do I need to sign in to Shimga to create a Canvas?

You can design and preview without signing in. Exporting the MP4 needs a quick sign-in.

Does the Canvas have sound?

No. Canvas plays silently over your track, so the audio in your export is not used by Spotify. The audio only drives the visual reactivity while you design.

Where do I upload a Spotify Canvas?

Upload it in Spotify for Artists, on the page for the specific track, using the Canvas option.