Good to Know
These are gas-only transactions requiring ETH on Ethereum Mainnet.
The Manager role can update the avatar and header. For wrapped names, the Manager is merged into the Owner role.
The Upload Image method supports gasless changes after the initial transaction - update your images as many times as you want without paying gas again.
Avatar and header can be added during registration, subname creation, or at any time using the Edit Profile button.
Note: Only .eth names and onchain subnames are supported in the ENS App. For project subnames (base.eth, uni.eth, etc), use their platform.
What Do Avatar and Header Do?
The avatar is your profile picture, and the header is a banner image - displayed across Web3 services, from metadata stored on your ENS name. They can appear alongside your wallet name as your custom picture, for your NFT image, and on social channels where avatars and header/banner images are present they are your custom identity that travels with you.
Methods for Setting Avatar and Header
Upload Image: Upload from your device (enables gasless changes later)
Enter Manually: Enter an image URL.
Select NFT (For Avatar Only): Choose an Ethereum NFT from your connected wallet.
Gasless Avatar and Header changes with 'Upload Image'
The Upload Image option allows for gasless changes after the first transaction. This means that you initiate a gas-only transaction the first time, then can use upload image to gaslessly change your avatar and header as many times as you want in future (for the same name in the same wallet).
The source code for the upload image service is found here.
How to Set an Avatar and Header
Open Edit Profile
Navigate to the ENS App.
Connect your Manager wallet.
Search for your name and open the Profile tab.
Click Edit Profile.
Method A: Upload Image
On Add Avatar or Add Header button, select Upload Image
Choose an image file from your computer.
Use the slider to crop the image to your liking.
Click continue, then Sign and Upload to start the upload process.
Note: This saves the image locally. The next step publishes it to the blockchain.Your wallet will prompt you to sign.
Once you've finished preloading records, click Save
Once finished adding records, click Save.
Confirm the Transaction
Your Avatar and Header will update.
Method B: Enter Manually
On Add Avatar or Add Header button, Click Enter Manually
Add your image URL
Click Save on adding manually,
Once finished adding records, click Save.
Confirm the transaction.
Method C: Select NFT (Avatar Only)
Open Edit Profile and click the Camera button.
Select Select NFT from the menu.
Choose an Ethereum NFT from your wallet.
Click Save, then confirm the transaction.
Using GIFs and SVGs
GIFs can work for ENS avatars and headers, but large file sizes may cause issues with some clients or websites, leading to slow or failed loading.
Important: The Upload Image option automatically converts images to JPG format. If you want to use GIFs or SVGs, upload them to a separate image hosting service that provides a direct public URL, then paste the URL manually via the Records tab (for avatars) or Enter Manually option (for headers).
Common Questions
What are gasless avatar and header changes?
The Upload Image option allows gasless changes after the first transaction. You pay gas once to enable the feature, then can update your avatar or header as many times as you want without additional gas fees (for the same name in the same wallet).
How do I fix the avatar to cover the entire background?
The image needs to be square (equal width and height) to cover the entire background without borders. If your avatar appears with borders on the sides or top, the image isn't square. Try using Upload Image, which allows you to resize and crop the image.
My avatar isn't showing on the ENS App.
This may be due to an issue with the avatar metadata. Check it on nftchecker.io. If a problem is detected, try using the Upload Image method to set your avatar manually.
My avatar or header isn't showing on third-party sites.
Changes update instantly on the ENS App, but third-party sites may take time to refresh. Some sites allow you to manually refresh metadata. Contact the project's support directly if issues persist.
Can I use a GIF?
Yes, but large file sizes may cause loading issues on some sites. Note that Upload Image converts images to JPG format. To use GIFs or SVGs, host them on a separate image service and paste the URL manually.