Webtoon Format Guide: Dimensions, Sizes & Technical Requirements
Master webtoon dimensions and formatting. Learn the exact canvas sizes, resolution settings, and technical specs for Webtoon, Tapas, and other platforms.
Getting your webtoon dimensions wrong means blurry art, awkward layouts, or rejected uploads. This guide covers the exact technical specifications you need for creating webtoons that display perfectly on every device and platform.
The Standard Webtoon Canvas Size
Recommended dimensions: 800 x 1280 pixels (width x height)
This is the most widely accepted format across platforms. The 800px width displays crisply on mobile phones without requiring excessive scrolling horizontally, while the 1280px height fits roughly one “episode” of readable content per segment.
Why These Numbers?
800px width: Most smartphones display content between 360-428px wide. At 800px, your art has enough detail to look sharp when scaled down, without creating unnecessarily large files.
1280px height: This creates a comfortable reading segment. Readers scroll through multiple 1280px panels to read a full episode, creating natural pacing breaks.
Platform-Specific Requirements
Different platforms have different technical requirements. Here’s what you need to know:
Webtoon (LINE Webtoon / Canvas)
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width | 800px (recommended) |
| Height | 1280px per strip (recommended) |
| File Format | JPG or PNG |
| Max File Size | 2MB per image |
| Max Images per Episode | 100 |
| Color Mode | RGB |
| Resolution | 72 DPI (web standard) |
Important Notes:
- Canvas strips should be exactly 800px wide
- Height can vary, but 1280px segments work best for pacing
- JPG recommended for full-color art (smaller files)
- PNG for art with transparency or large solid color areas
Tapas
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width | 800-940px (800px recommended) |
| Height | No strict maximum |
| File Format | JPG, PNG, or GIF |
| Max File Size | 5MB per image |
| Color Mode | RGB |
Tapas offers more flexibility than Webtoon. The wider range accommodates different styles, but sticking to 800px maintains consistency if you cross-post.
GlobalComix
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width | 720-1080px (variable) |
| Height | Variable |
| File Format | JPG, PNG, WEBP |
| Max File Size | 10MB per image |
GlobalComix supports traditional page layouts alongside vertical scroll formats.
Self-Hosting
If you’re hosting on your own website, you have complete control. Consider:
- Width: 800-1000px for mobile optimization
- Format: WEBP for best compression, with JPG fallback
- Lazy Loading: Implement for long episodes
Setting Up Your Canvas
In Clip Studio Paint
- File > New
- Width: 800 pixels
- Height: Set total episode height (multiply 1280 by number of segments)
- Resolution: 72 dpi for web export (work at 300 dpi if you want print options)
- Color Mode: RGB
Pro Tip: Create at 2x size (1600 x 2560) and export at 50% for sharper final art. This gives you flexibility for print or higher-resolution displays in the future.
In Procreate
- Tap + to create new canvas
- Tap the + icon in top right
- Enter Width: 800px, Height: Your total episode height
- DPI: 72 for web
- Color Profile: sRGB
In MediBang / ibisPaint
Both apps have webtoon-specific canvas presets. Look for:
- “Webtoon” or “Comic” presets
- Set width to 800px
- Adjust height for your episode length
Working at Higher Resolution
Many professional webtoon artists work at double resolution (1600 x 2560) and scale down for export. Benefits include:
- Sharper final art: Downscaling naturally anti-aliases edges
- Print flexibility: 1600px at 300dpi = roughly 5.3 inches wide
- Future-proofing: Higher resolution displays may become standard
The Drawback
Larger files mean:
- Slower app performance
- More storage required
- Longer export times
If your device struggles, work at standard 800px—the difference in final quality is subtle.
Structuring Your Episode
A typical webtoon episode consists of multiple vertical strips stitched together or uploaded separately.
Method 1: One Long Canvas
Create your entire episode on a single tall canvas:
- Width: 800px
- Height: 1280px × number of sections
Example: A 10-section episode = 800 x 12,800 pixels
Then slice the finished art into 800 x 1280 segments for upload.
Pros: Easy to manage pacing and visual flow Cons: Very large file, can lag in drawing apps
Method 2: Individual Canvases
Create each section as a separate file:
- File 1: 800 x 1280
- File 2: 800 x 1280
- And so on…
Pros: Smaller files, easier on system resources Cons: Harder to manage continuity between sections
Method 3: Page-Based Then Slice
Work in traditional page sizes, then convert to vertical format:
- Create at standard comic page dimensions
- Rearrange panels into vertical layout
- Export as 800px wide strips
This works for artists transitioning from traditional comics.
Episode Length Guidelines
How long should a webtoon episode be?
| Episode Type | Approximate Length | Scroll Time |
|---|---|---|
| Short | 15-25 panels (5-8 strips) | 1-2 minutes |
| Standard | 30-50 panels (10-15 strips) | 2-4 minutes |
| Long | 60+ panels (20+ strips) | 5+ minutes |
Platform Norms:
- Webtoon Originals: Typically 50-70+ panels
- Canvas: Highly variable, often shorter
- Tapas: Medium length most common
Start with shorter episodes while you find your rhythm, then expand as your workflow improves.
File Export Settings
For JPG Export
- Quality: 85-95% (balance of file size and quality)
- Color: RGB
- Resolution: 72 DPI
JPG works best for:
- Full-color art with gradients
- Photographic elements
- When file size matters
For PNG Export
- Bit Depth: 8-bit (unless you need transparency)
- Compression: Maximum
- Color: RGB
PNG works best for:
- Art with large flat color areas
- When you need transparency
- Text-heavy panels (cleaner edges)
Comparing File Sizes
For a typical 800 x 1280 full-color panel:
- PNG: ~500KB - 1.5MB
- JPG (90% quality): ~150KB - 400KB
- WEBP: ~100KB - 250KB
If you’re hitting platform size limits, switch to JPG or optimize with tools like TinyPNG.
Common Formatting Mistakes
Mistake 1: Wrong Width
Problem: Creating at 1000px, 600px, or arbitrary widths Result: Stretched, squished, or blurry art when displayed Fix: Always use 800px width (or your platform’s exact requirement)
Mistake 2: Ignoring File Size Limits
Problem: High-resolution PNGs exceeding 2MB Result: Upload rejection or forced compression Fix: Export as JPG at 85-90% quality, or optimize PNGs before upload
Mistake 3: Wrong Color Mode
Problem: Working in CMYK (print mode) for web content Result: Muted, off-colors when displayed on screens Fix: Always work in RGB for digital content
Mistake 4: Text Too Small
Problem: Dialogue readable on desktop, illegible on phones Result: Frustrated readers Fix: Test your lettering at actual phone size. If you squint, it’s too small.
Mistake 5: Panel Heights Too Long
Problem: Single panels spanning multiple screen heights Result: Readers lose context, awkward reading experience Fix: Keep individual panels under ~1000px tall. Break long shots into multiple panels.
Testing Your Format
Before publishing, verify your formatting works:
Desktop Test
- Open your exported files at 100% zoom
- Check for compression artifacts (blocky areas in gradients)
- Verify text is readable
- Confirm colors match your working file
Mobile Test
- Transfer a test file to your phone
- View it in your photo app at normal size
- Check text readability
- Verify important details aren’t lost
Platform Preview
Most platforms offer preview functions:
- Webtoon Canvas: Preview before publish
- Tapas: Draft preview available
- Test account: Create a test series visible only to you
Format Optimization Workflow
Here’s a step-by-step workflow for consistent, optimized webtoon formatting:
Step 1: Create
- Canvas: 1600 x 2560 (or 800 x 1280 for standard)
- Color Mode: RGB
- Working Resolution: 300 DPI (optional) or 72 DPI
Step 2: Complete Your Art
Work on your episode, keeping mobile readability in mind throughout.
Step 3: Flatten and Export
- Flatten layers (keep a layered backup)
- Export at final size: 800px wide
- Format: JPG at 90% for color, PNG for flat colors
- Resolution: 72 DPI
Step 4: Slice (If Needed)
If you worked on one long canvas, slice into sections:
- Each section: 800 x 1280 pixels
- Number files sequentially (001, 002, 003…)
Step 5: Verify
- Check file sizes against platform limits
- Preview on mobile
- Confirm sequence order
Step 6: Upload
Follow your platform’s upload process, maintaining file order.
Tools for Format Management
Slicing Tools
- Clip Studio Paint: Export with slice settings
- Photoshop: Slice tool + Export for Web
- Free: Online image slicers like Pine Tools
Batch Optimization
- TinyPNG: Compress PNG and JPG files
- Squoosh: Google’s image compression tool
- ImageOptim (Mac): Batch optimize images
Preview Tools
- Responsively App: Preview at multiple screen sizes
- Browser Dev Tools: Mobile device emulation
Quick Reference Card
Save this for your workflow:
WEBTOON STANDARD FORMAT
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Width: 800px
Height: 1280px per section
Format: JPG (color) or PNG (flat)
Quality: 85-95%
Resolution: 72 DPI
Color: RGB
Max Size: 2MB per image (Webtoon)
5MB per image (Tapas)
Next Steps
With your format settings dialed in, you’re ready to focus on what matters—creating great stories. Consistent technical specs mean your art displays as intended, letting your storytelling shine.
For collaborative webtoon creation with built-in formatting tools, try Multic—it handles the technical specs so you can focus on creating.
Related: How to Make a Webtoon, Publishing on Webtoon, Panel Layout Basics