# Twitch Sub Badge Sizes: The Complete Guide

*Published: February 3, 2026 | Updated: January 1, 2026*

Sub badges are the small icons that appear next to a subscriber's username in your Twitch chat. They're a loyalty signal — the longer someone has been subscribed, the more badges they unlock. Getting the sizes right matters because a blurry or poorly cropped badge looks bad next to your stream's brand.

## What Are Twitch Sub Badges?

When someone subscribes to your channel, they earn a badge that appears in chat next to their name. These badges level up over time:

- **1 month** — Tier 1 badge
- **2 months** — Tier 2 badge (if designed)
- **3 months** — Tier 3 badge (if designed)
- **6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years...** — continued loyalty badges

You design the badge art. Twitch displays them at multiple sizes automatically.

## Twitch Sub Badge Size Requirements

Twitch requires three PNG files per badge, just like emotes:

| Size | Dimensions | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 18 × 18 px | Chat (standard) |
| Medium | 36 × 36 px | Retina/HiDPI screens |
| Large | 72 × 72 px | Hover preview, badge picker |

**File requirements:**
- Format: PNG with transparent background
- Max file size: 500 KB per file
- Color mode: RGB
- Shape: Any — but circular designs are the most common and look cleanest in chat

## Designing Sub Badges That Work

Sub badges are tiny. At 18×18 px they're about the size of a favicon. Here's what actually works:

**Simple shapes win** — a crown, a star, a shield, a gem. Avoid faces or complex illustrations at this size.

**High contrast** — the badge sits on a dark background in chat. Light-colored badges with dark outlines are the most readable.

**Design at 72×72, scale down** — always start at the largest size. Scale down to 36 and 18 to check readability.

**Consistent set** — if you're designing multiple loyalty tiers, use the same base shape and change the color or add elements as tiers increase. Example: outline star (1 month) → filled star (3 months) → gold star with glow (6 months).

## How to Upload Sub Badges

1. Go to your [Twitch Creator Dashboard](https://dashboard.twitch.tv)
2. Navigate to **Viewer Rewards → Loyalty Badges**
3. Select the subscription tier and loyalty milestone you're uploading for
4. Upload all three sizes (18, 36, 72)
5. Submit for review

Twitch reviews badges before they go live. Review time is typically 3–5 business days.

## How Many Badge Slots Do You Get?

| Status | Badge Slots |
|---|---|
| Affiliate | 1 per tier (Tier 1, 2, 3) + loyalty milestones |
| Partner | Multiple per tier + all loyalty milestones |

Loyalty milestones (1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 year, 3 year, etc.) each get their own badge slot. You can design a different badge for every single milestone or reuse designs.

## Sub Badge vs Emote — What's the Difference?

People often confuse the two. Here's the simple breakdown:

| | Sub Badge | Emote |
|---|---|---|
| Where it appears | Next to username in chat | In chat messages |
| Purpose | Shows loyalty/sub status | Express reactions |
| Size | 18/36/72 px | 28/56/112 px |
| Triggered by | Subscribing | Typing emote code |

## Common Badge Mistakes

**Too detailed** — at 18px, detail becomes noise. A small icon with one recognizable shape is better than a complex design.

**No transparent background** — badges need a transparent PNG. White or colored backgrounds clash with the chat UI.

**Ignoring dark mode** — most Twitch viewers use dark mode. Test your badge on a dark background before uploading.

**Same badge for every tier** — use the tier system to reward longer subs with visually upgraded badges.

## Tools to Make Sub Badges

- **EmojiCreator.ai** — upload any image, get a perfectly sized badge PNG with transparent background. Free, no signup. [Try it here](https://emojicreator.ai).
- **Photoshop / Illustrator** — full control, best for custom illustration
- **Canva** — accessible for non-designers, but check export transparency settings
- **Fiverr emote artists** — many offer badge sets alongside emote packs

## Quick Checklist Before Uploading

- [ ] Three PNG files: 18×18, 36×36, 72×72
- [ ] Transparent background
- [ ] Under 500 KB each
- [ ] Reads clearly at 18px
- [ ] Tested on dark background
- [ ] Consistent style with your emote set

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*Need a badge fast? [Create a Twitch sub badge free on EmojiCreator.ai](https://emojicreator.ai) — no account needed.*