How to Make a Discord Sticker
Everything you need to know to make custom Discord stickers that upload without errors. Avoid the "invalid asset" rejection by sticking to 320×320 pixels, keeping files under 512 KiB, and using APNG for animations.
1. Discord Sticker Dimensions & Technical Rules
Learning how to make a discord sticker is easy once you understand Discord's upload rules. Unlike custom emojis which can be rectangular, custom stickers must be an exact 1:1 square at 320×320 pixels.
Discord supports three sticker formats: - Static PNG: Transparent background graphics with clean edges. - APNG (Animated PNG): The required format for custom animated stickers on Discord. - Lottie (.json): Vector animations used mostly for official partner sticker packs.
For community servers, static stickers must stay under 512 KiB (524,288 bytes). A common mistake is trying to upload a normal animated GIF as a sticker. Discord will reject standard .gif files immediately because custom sticker animations must be encoded as APNG.
Discord rejects .gif files when uploaded to your custom sticker slots. You need to convert your animation to APNG format, or convert a gif to sticker discord format using a dedicated tool.
| Parameter | Static Sticker Requirement | Animated Sticker Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Exactly 320 × 320 px | Exactly 320 × 320 px |
| Aspect Ratio | Strict 1:1 Square | Strict 1:1 Square |
| Allowed Formats | PNG, APNG | APNG only (GIF rejected) |
| File Size Limit | 512 KiB (524,288 bytes) | 512 KiB (524,288 bytes) |
| Frame Rate | N/A | Max 60 FPS (Recommended: 30 FPS) |
| Animation Duration | N/A | Max 5.0 seconds |
2. Fixing the "Discord Sticker Invalid Asset" Error
The "discord sticker invalid asset" error is the most common problem creators hit when uploading stickers. Discord simply shows an error banner without telling you what went wrong.
Here are the four most common causes and how to fix them: 1. Wrong Dimensions: Even a 1-pixel difference (like 320×321 or 319×320) causes an instant failure. Both width and height must equal 320 pixels exactly. 2. File Size Too Big: If your PNG or APNG is 524,289 bytes—just one byte over 512 KiB—Discord rejects it. Using our built-in discord sticker compressor strips invisible camera data and color profiles to save space. 3. Animation Too Long or Too Fast: Animated stickers that run longer than 5 seconds or exceed 60 frames per second will be rejected. 4. Incorrect Color Mode: Malformed color palettes can trigger asset warnings. Saving your artwork as a standard 32-bit RGBA PNG ensures it works everywhere.
3. Step-by-Step: <mark class="bg-[#C8DFDB]/60 dark:bg-[#66A3BF]/20 text-[#192538] dark:text-white font-semibold px-1 rounded">How to Make a Discord Sticker</mark>
Follow these simple steps to make clean, sharp stickers:
- Step 1: Set Your Canvas: Create a 320×320 pixel square canvas in Photoshop, Figma, or open our free in-browser Sticker Studio.
- Step 2: Transparent Background: Place your artwork on a transparent layer. Add a 3px to 6px white or light outline around your subject so it stands out against both Discord dark mode (#313338) and light mode (#FFFFFF).
- Step 3: Keep Safe Margins: Keep key details inside an internal 16px safety margin (304×304 px) so nothing gets cut off when Discord rounds preview corners.
- Step 4: Export & Compress: Export using an automated discord sticker size converter or compressor to keep the file under 512 KiB.
Preview your sticker against both dark gray (#1E1F22) and white backgrounds. Dark character art without an outline can completely disappear on Discord Dark Mode.
4. How to Add Sticker Discord Server Uploads
Once your sticker is exported, uploading it to your server requires Administrator or "Manage Emojis and Stickers" permissions.
Here is the exact upload path: 1. Open Discord on desktop or web. 2. Click your server name dropdown in the top-left and select Server Settings. 3. Go to Stickers in the left sidebar. 4. Click the purple Upload Sticker button. 5. Select your verified 320×320 PNG or APNG file. 6. Give it a Sticker Name (2–30 characters) and pick a Related Emoji (typing this emoji in chat suggests your sticker). 7. Add an optional Description for accessibility. 8. Click Upload. Your sticker is now live for everyone in your server!
Format Stickers with Instant Verification
Crop, resize, and convert PNG and APNG graphics to exact 320×320 dimensions under 512 KiB in your browser with zero uploads.
Open Sticker Studio →Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the discord sticker invalid asset error on upload?
The invalid asset error is triggered by non-square dimensions (not exactly 320x320 pixels), exceeding the 512 KiB file limit, uploading a .gif file instead of an APNG, or animations lasting longer than 5 seconds.
Can I upload animated GIF files as Discord stickers?
No. Discord server sticker slots do not support standard .gif files. Custom animated stickers must be encoded as APNG (Animated PNG) files with a maximum length of 5 seconds and 320x320 resolution.
How many custom stickers can a Discord server hold?
A standard free server starts with 5 custom sticker slots. Reaching Boost Level 1 unlocks 15 slots, Boost Level 2 unlocks 30 slots, and Boost Level 3 unlocks up to 60 custom sticker slots.
What is the best way to compress a Discord sticker under 512 KiB?
To compress stickers under 512 KiB, strip EXIF metadata, reduce animation framerate from 60 FPS down to 30 FPS, and utilize palette quantization or lossless PNG optimization tools like our Sticker Studio.