Steam requires a specific set of assets before your store page can go live, and they're strict about the specs. Wrong dimensions, incorrect formats, or missing assets will get your page rejected during review -- and each rejection cycle costs you 3-5 business days. I've seen developers lose weeks going back and forth over a capsule that was 2 pixels off.
This guide is a complete reference for every asset you need, with exact dimensions, format requirements, and practical notes on what Valve actually checks. Bookmark it and work through it systematically. For the design principles behind these assets, our capsule design guide and screenshot optimization guide go deeper on making them perform well -- but this post is about getting the specs right.
Capsule images overview
Capsule images are the visual backbone of your Steam presence. They appear everywhere -- search results, discovery queues, wishlists, the front page, sale events, recommendations, and your game's library entry. Each capsule size serves a different context, and you can't simply resize one image across all of them. The aspect ratios are different, which means you need to plan compositions that work at multiple sizes.
A critical point that trips up first-time developers: Valve has strict rules about what can appear on capsules. Your game's title and artwork are fine. Review scores, award logos, "Game of the Year" text, discount percentages, and marketing copy are generally not allowed on most capsule types. Violating these rules is one of the most common rejection reasons.
Run all your capsules through our Capsule Validator before submitting. It checks dimensions, file format, and file size instantly, so you can catch problems before Valve does.
Required capsule images
Header Capsule -- 460 x 215 pixels
- •Dimensions: 460 x 215 px
- •Format: PNG or JPG
- •Where it appears: Top of your store page, search results, wishlists, curator lists
- •Requirements: Must include your game's title. Must be legible at display size. No review quotes or award logos.
- •Notes: This is the capsule players see most often. It needs to work at its native size and look sharp -- no upscaling from smaller sources. The title must be readable without squinting.
Small Capsule -- 231 x 87 pixels
- •Dimensions: 231 x 87 px
- •Format: PNG or JPG
- •Where it appears: Search results, wishlists, small recommendation widgets, bundle pages
- •Requirements: Must include your game's title. Must be legible at this very small size.
- •Notes: This is the hardest capsule to get right. At 231 pixels wide, detail gets lost fast. Simplify your composition dramatically compared to larger capsules. If your game title uses a thin or decorative font, it may be unreadable here -- consider a simplified version of your logo for this size. Test it by viewing it at actual size on your screen, not zoomed in.
Main Capsule -- 616 x 353 pixels
- •Dimensions: 616 x 353 px
- •Format: PNG or JPG
- •Where it appears: Featured spots on the front page, sale event pages, "New and Trending," "Top Sellers" lists
- •Requirements: Must include your game's title. This is your primary promotional image.
- •Notes: The main capsule gets the most screen real estate in high-traffic locations. It's worth spending extra time on this one. The larger dimensions give you room for more visual detail, but don't overcomplicate it -- the composition still needs to read quickly.
Hero Graphic -- 3840 x 1240 pixels
- •Dimensions: 3840 x 1240 px
- •Format: PNG or JPG
- •Where it appears: The large banner area at the very top of your store page
- •Requirements: Should be atmospheric and visually striking. Your game logo will be overlaid on the left side by Steam, so keep the right side of the image visually interesting and avoid placing important elements on the far left.
- •Notes: This is a wide, cinematic format. Think of it as a movie poster banner. The hero graphic sets the mood for your entire store page. Avoid putting text in the image since Steam overlays your game title and other UI elements on top. Also be aware that this image gets cropped differently depending on browser width, so keep critical content in the center vertical band.
Library Capsule -- 600 x 900 pixels
- •Dimensions: 600 x 900 px
- •Format: PNG or JPG
- •Where it appears: A player's Steam library (the vertical game list)
- •Requirements: Must include your game's title. Vertical/portrait orientation.
- •Notes: This is the only portrait-format capsule, which means you need a distinct composition from your landscape capsules. Every player who owns your game sees this image regularly. Don't neglect it just because it's post-purchase -- it affects how players perceive your game alongside everything else in their library. A polished library capsule also contributes to word-of-mouth when friends browse each other's libraries.
Library Hero -- 3840 x 1240 pixels
- •Dimensions: 3840 x 1240 px
- •Format: PNG or JPG
- •Where it appears: Background image in a player's library when your game is selected
- •Requirements: Wide atmospheric image. Similar to the store hero but displayed in the library context.
- •Notes: This can often be the same image as your store hero graphic, but verify it looks good in the library context too. The library UI overlays different elements than the store page does.
Library Logo -- varies (recommended: 960 x 540 pixels max)
- •Dimensions: Logo image with transparent background, typically up to 960 x 540 px
- •Format: PNG (with transparency)
- •Where it appears: Overlaid on the library hero image when your game is selected
- •Requirements: Your game's logo on a transparent background. Should be readable against various background colors.
- •Notes: Provide your logo at the highest resolution you can. Steam will scale it down as needed. Make sure it reads clearly against both light and dark backgrounds since the hero image behind it can vary.
Additional required assets
Community Icon -- 32 x 32 pixels
- •Dimensions: 32 x 32 px
- •Format: PNG or JPG
- •Where it appears: Steam community features, discussion boards, group pages
- •Requirements: Must be recognizable at this tiny size.
- •Notes: At 32 pixels, you can't use your full logo. Use a simplified icon, a recognizable symbol from your game, or your developer logo. Think of it like a favicon.
Client Icon -- 16 x 16, 32 x 32, and other ICO sizes
- •Dimensions: ICO file containing multiple sizes (16x16, 32x32, and optionally larger)
- •Format: ICO
- •Where it appears: The Steam client taskbar and desktop when your game is running
- •Requirements: Standard ICO file with multiple resolutions embedded.
- •Notes: Windows ICO format. Include at least 16x16 and 32x32 versions. This is the icon players see when your game is running in their taskbar.
Screenshot requirements
Screenshots are typically the second thing players examine after your capsule image (or first, if they skip the trailer). They carry a lot of weight in the purchase decision. Our screenshot optimization guide covers composition strategy, but here are the technical requirements.
Technical specifications
- •Minimum count: 5 screenshots required. 8-10 recommended.
- •Minimum resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels (1080p).
- •Maximum resolution: No hard cap, but 3840 x 2160 (4K) is the practical upper limit.
- •Format: PNG or JPG. PNG preferred for pixel art games; JPG is fine for 3D games.
- •Aspect ratio: 16:9 is standard and strongly recommended. Other ratios are supported but may display awkwardly in Steam's layout.
- •File size: No hard limit, but keep individual files under 5MB for faster loading.
Content requirements
- •Must show actual gameplay. Not concept art, not pre-rendered cinematics, not promotional mockups. Players expect to see what the game actually looks like when they're playing it.
- •No watermarks or overlay text. No developer logos, no "ALPHA BUILD" banners, no marketing text. Steam's UI provides context -- your screenshots should be clean.
- •No borders or letterboxing. Fill the full image area with game content.
- •First screenshot matters most. It displays as the default image when your trailer isn't playing and appears in various browse contexts. Make it your strongest, most representative shot.
Screenshot recommendations
Show a variety of content -- different environments, mechanics, UI states, and gameplay moments. Include at least one shot that clearly shows your game's UI so players know what to expect. If your game has character customization, show it. If it has building or crafting, show it. Players want to understand what they'll actually be doing.
For games with distinct visual styles (pixel art, cel-shading, photorealistic), make sure your screenshots accurately represent the art style. Misleading screenshots lead to refunds and negative reviews.
Use our Screenshot Checker to verify your screenshots meet all technical requirements before uploading.
Trailer specifications
Your trailer is the highest-impact asset on your store page. Players who watch your trailer are significantly more likely to wishlist or purchase. Our trailer best practices guide covers creative strategy, but here are the specs.
Technical specifications
- •Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p) minimum. 3840 x 2160 (4K) recommended.
- •Frame rate: 30fps minimum. 60fps strongly recommended for action games.
- •Format: Steam accepts most common video formats. MP4 with H.264 encoding is the safest bet.
- •Length: No hard maximum, but 60-90 seconds is the sweet spot for indie games. Shorter outperforms longer in almost every case.
- •Audio: Stereo audio at 44.1kHz or 48kHz. Make sure music and sound effects are properly balanced.
Trailer requirements
- •At least one trailer is strongly recommended. Technically you can publish without one, but your page will underperform dramatically.
- •Trailer must accurately represent the game. Don't use footage from a different build that looks significantly better than what you're shipping.
- •No ESRB or other rating logos. Steam has its own content descriptor system.
- •First trailer auto-plays. Whichever trailer you set as primary will auto-play when players visit your store page. Make it your best one.
Multiple trailers
You can upload multiple trailers (gameplay, announcement, update trailers). Order them intentionally -- the first one in the list auto-plays and should be your strongest. Update trailers are useful for keeping your page fresh after launch, but they shouldn't replace your primary gameplay trailer.
Community and social assets
Profile features (optional but recommended)
- •Trading Card art: If you're implementing Steam Trading Cards, each card needs front artwork (206 x 184 px) and a badge icon.
- •Achievement icons: 64 x 64 px for each achievement. Upload both locked and unlocked versions.
- •Emoticons: 54 x 54 px per emoticon, if you're creating custom Steam emoticons.
- •Profile backgrounds: 1920 x 1080 px. These are rewards players can earn and display on their Steam profiles.
These assets aren't required for your page to go live, but they enhance the overall player experience and give your game more presence across the Steam ecosystem. Trading cards in particular generate ongoing engagement and a small amount of ongoing revenue through the Steam marketplace.
The complete asset checklist
Use this as your master checklist. Don't submit for review until every required item is ready.
Required for store page approval
- •[ ] Header Capsule (460 x 215 px)
- •[ ] Small Capsule (231 x 87 px)
- •[ ] Main Capsule (616 x 353 px)
- •[ ] Hero Graphic (3840 x 1240 px)
- •[ ] Library Capsule (600 x 900 px)
- •[ ] Library Hero (3840 x 1240 px)
- •[ ] Library Logo (transparent PNG, up to 960 x 540 px)
- •[ ] Community Icon (32 x 32 px)
- •[ ] Client Icon (ICO file, multiple sizes)
- •[ ] At least 5 screenshots (1920 x 1080 px minimum)
- •[ ] Content survey completed
- •[ ] Short description (up to 300 characters)
- •[ ] Long description (About This Game section)
Strongly recommended
- •[ ] 8-10 screenshots showing diverse gameplay
- •[ ] At least one gameplay trailer (1080p, 60-90 seconds)
- •[ ] Page background image
- •[ ] All 15 developer tag slots filled
- •[ ] System requirements for all supported platforms
- •[ ] Supported languages listed
- •[ ] Social media links configured
Optional enhancements
- •[ ] Additional trailers (announcement, update)
- •[ ] Achievement icons (64 x 64 px, locked and unlocked)
- •[ ] Trading card artwork (206 x 184 px)
- •[ ] Profile backgrounds (1920 x 1080 px)
- •[ ] Emoticons (54 x 54 px)
- •[ ] DLC store page assets (if applicable)
Common rejection reasons related to assets
Understanding why Valve rejects store page submissions helps you avoid the same mistakes. Here are the asset-related rejections I see most often.
Capsule image issues
Wrong dimensions is the most basic error and it still happens constantly. Double-check every capsule against the exact pixel requirements listed above. Even 1 pixel off can trigger a rejection. The Capsule Validator catches this instantly.
Prohibited content on capsules is the next most common. Review scores, award logos, "Game of the Year" badges, discount percentages, and excessive marketing text are not allowed on most capsule types. Your capsule should feature your game art and title -- that's it.
Unreadable title at small display sizes. If your game title isn't legible on the Small Capsule (231x87), it will be rejected. Test at actual display size, not zoomed in.
Low quality or compression artifacts. Blurry, pixelated, or heavily compressed capsules signal low effort and will be flagged. Upload the highest quality sources you can.
Screenshot issues
Not actual gameplay. Concept art, promotional renders, and heavily composited images that don't represent real gameplay will be rejected.
Watermarks or overlay text. Developer logos, build version numbers, and marketing text on screenshots are not allowed.
Too few screenshots. You need at least 5. Less than that and you won't pass review.
Trailer issues
Misleading footage. If your trailer shows content that isn't representative of the actual game, it can be flagged. This includes using footage from a significantly more polished build than what you're shipping.
Missing or incorrect content descriptors. If your trailer contains mature content that isn't reflected in your content survey, it creates a mismatch that triggers review issues.
Asset preparation workflow
Here's the workflow I'd recommend for getting all your assets ready efficiently.
Step 1: Gather source material. Capture high-resolution screenshots and gameplay footage. Get the highest quality versions of your logo and key art. Work from the best sources you have.
Step 2: Create capsules from largest to smallest. Start with the Main Capsule (616x353) since it has the most screen real estate, then adapt the composition for Header (460x215), Small (231x87), Library (600x900 -- portrait), and Hero (3840x1240 -- ultra-wide). Don't just resize -- re-compose each one for its specific dimensions. Validate all of them with the Capsule Validator.
Step 3: Select and order screenshots. Choose your strongest 8-10 shots, put the most compelling one first, and make sure you're showing variety. Run them through the Screenshot Checker.
Step 4: Edit your trailer. Cut to 60-90 seconds, show gameplay within the first 10 seconds, and end with a clear call to action. Export at 1080p minimum.
Step 5: Prepare remaining assets. Community icon, client icon, library logo. These are small but still required.
Step 6: Internal review. Before submitting to Valve, have someone who hasn't seen your store page review everything with fresh eyes. They'll catch issues you've gone blind to.
For the full submission process and what happens after you upload these assets, our guide to publishing on Steam walks through every step.
Frequently asked questions
What file format should I use for capsule images?
PNG is the safest choice for all capsule images. It preserves quality without compression artifacts, which is especially important for text readability and pixel art. JPG is acceptable, but use high quality settings (90%+) to avoid visible compression. For the Library Logo specifically, PNG with transparency is required.
Can I update my assets after my page is live?
Yes, and you should. Update your screenshots, capsules, and trailer as your game improves during development. Each update requires a new review cycle (2-5 business days), but keeping your store page current is worth the wait. Outdated assets misrepresent your game and hurt conversions.
Do I need different capsule compositions or can I crop one image?
You need different compositions. The aspect ratios across capsule sizes are different -- 460x215 is roughly 2:1, while 600x900 is 2:3 portrait. A single image cropped to fit each size will look awkward at best and unreadable at worst. Plan at least two compositions: one for landscape capsules and one for the portrait library capsule. The Hero Graphic (3840x1240) needs its own ultra-wide composition as well.
What resolution should my screenshots be?
1920 x 1080 (1080p) is the minimum for a professional-looking store page. 2560 x 1440 (1440p) or 3840 x 2160 (4K) screenshots look noticeably sharper and give you more flexibility when Steam displays them at various sizes. If your game can render at higher resolutions, take your screenshots at the highest resolution available.
How many trailers should I have?
One strong gameplay trailer is the minimum. Two to three is ideal -- a primary gameplay trailer, plus an announcement or story trailer, and potentially an update trailer if you've made significant improvements since the original. Quality matters more than quantity. One excellent trailer outperforms three mediocre ones.
What happens if my capsule dimensions are slightly off?
Valve will reject your submission. They're exact about pixel dimensions. Even being 1-2 pixels off can trigger a rejection. Use the Capsule Validator to verify before uploading. It takes seconds and saves you days of waiting through an unnecessary review cycle.
Getting your assets right the first time saves days of review back-and-forth and gives your store page the strongest possible foundation. Start with the Capsule Validator to verify your images meet specs, use the Screenshot Checker for your gameplay shots, and review our capsule design guide and trailer best practices for the creative principles behind effective assets.
For a step-by-step walkthrough of the full publishing process, see our complete Steamworks publishing guide, and use the store page checklist to make sure nothing gets missed.
Browse our genre-specific optimization guides for strategies tailored to your game type, and check the Steam Page Leaderboard to see how top games optimize their store pages.