What is a "signature"?
A forum signature is a block of text (sometimes with an image or link) that automatically appears at the bottom of every post a user makes. Each user has their own signature, and it's separate from the post itself. Signatures are often used to include an image, Animal Crossing island or town details, a quote, links, or art credits.
What are the rules for signatures?
The best place to find the most up-to-date rules is here, within the Rules and Guidelines.
How do I make a signature?
How do I insert images into a signature?
To insert an image into a signature, your image must be hosted off-site. For example, you can upload an image to an image-hosting site, such as ImgBB. Or, you could use an image already hosted on another site. Once you have the URL for the image you would like to use, you can insert that URL into the Insert Image box. Make sure that your image includes the file extension (e.g., .gif, .jpeg, .png) for the image. If the image does not load, the URL is likely not a direct image link.
How can I check if my signature is too tall?
Firstly remember, a signature includes everything below the signature line (see image in spoiler).
Here are some ways you can check the height of your signature:
Other Signature & BBCode FAQs
How do I center my signature?
Wrap your signature content in the BBCode for centering.
How do I add an image or animated GIF to my signature?
Upload your image or GIF to an image host. Copy the direct image URL (e.g., ending in .png, .gif, etc.). Add the image URL within image tags. You will need to make sure that the height still fits within the signature rules.
In my example, I'm using an image hosted on the official Untitled Goose Game website.
How do I add a hyperlink?
You use the destination URL and then include some text. For example this linked text:
Home page!
Is made with this code:
How can I shrink an image so it is exactly 250 pixels tall?
You can use the code below, replacing the URL with the URL of the image you want to include. However, remember that any text or spoilers will also be included in the signature height, so you should take the into account and adjust the "250px" to a smaller height if you need to include text.
How do I make an image clickable?
Wrap the image inside the URL tags!
How do I change the color of text or links?
For text:
For a hyperlink:
Do I need to credit where I got my signature images?
Ideally, you will credit the source of any images you use for avatars or signatures. You must do this if it's a requirement from someone when using their art. For example, if you commission art from someone and they ask you to credit them, you should include this by either including their name and linking to their shop/website/profile/etc., or by making your signature image a clickable link that directs to their shop/website/profile/etc.
When I look at someone's signature it shows a blue box and the text "Content not viewable in your region". What's that about?
Do you happen to live in the UK? If you are seeing this message around the site it is because Imgur is no longer accessible in the United Kingdom. While we no longer encourage hosting images on Imgur, many images across the site have previously been hosted there. Please see this thread for more details, including instructions on how to hide signatures if you are finding them bothersome.
You can find the original The Signature Guide thread here. Thank you to Kaiaa for providing the base for this guide!
A forum signature is a block of text (sometimes with an image or link) that automatically appears at the bottom of every post a user makes. Each user has their own signature, and it's separate from the post itself. Signatures are often used to include an image, Animal Crossing island or town details, a quote, links, or art credits.
What are the rules for signatures?
The best place to find the most up-to-date rules is here, within the Rules and Guidelines.
- Signatures may not contain anything within the Prohibited Content rules.
- Signatures must be a maximum height of 250 pixels, including all images, text, spacing, and spoiler tags.
- There is no restriction to width.
- Any images or animated images (.gif) must be 5 MB or less in size.
- Signatures that don't align with the rules will be enclosed in a spoiler tag by a staff member, with information detailing the signature guidelines. Signatures with prohibited content will have the prohibited content removed.
How do I make a signature?
To add text or images to your signature, click on your name on the navigation bar below the site banner.
This will bring up a drop-down menu, where you will click on Signature.
This will bring up the signature box, where you can insert text and images.
This will bring up a drop-down menu, where you will click on Signature.
This will bring up the signature box, where you can insert text and images.
How do I insert images into a signature?
To insert an image into a signature, your image must be hosted off-site. For example, you can upload an image to an image-hosting site, such as ImgBB. Or, you could use an image already hosted on another site. Once you have the URL for the image you would like to use, you can insert that URL into the Insert Image box. Make sure that your image includes the file extension (e.g., .gif, .jpeg, .png) for the image. If the image does not load, the URL is likely not a direct image link.
How can I check if my signature is too tall?
Firstly remember, a signature includes everything below the signature line (see image in spoiler).
The red arrow points to the signature line. The bracket shows that the signature includes all white space, images, and text.
Here are some ways you can check the height of your signature:
- On a PC: You can take a screenshot of your signature by pressing Print Screen or Windows key + Shift + S, then selecting your signature with the mouse. You can save the image and check its properties to see the image dimensions, or paste the screenshot into Paint and check the pixel height of the canvas.
- On a Mac: Press Command + Shift + 4. This will turn your cursor into a crosshair showing pixel measurements. Click near the top of your signature and drag to the bottom of the signature. When you release the mouse, it will show the height in pixels.
- Using Firefox: In Firefox, you can press either the Camera button near the address bar or press Ctrl + Shift + S. Drag your cursor over your entire signature. The dimensions of the signature will be shown within the selected box.
- Ask in this thread! Another member or a staff member can check your signature for you!
Other Signature & BBCode FAQs
How do I center my signature?
Wrap your signature content in the BBCode for centering.
Code:
[center]Your signature content here! :)[/center]How do I add an image or animated GIF to my signature?
Upload your image or GIF to an image host. Copy the direct image URL (e.g., ending in .png, .gif, etc.). Add the image URL within image tags. You will need to make sure that the height still fits within the signature rules.
In my example, I'm using an image hosted on the official Untitled Goose Game website.
Code:
[IMG]https://goose-assets.panicfiles.com/presskit/gifs/goose_gif-12-thumb_hammer.gif[/IMG]How do I add a hyperlink?
You use the destination URL and then include some text. For example this linked text:
Home page!
Is made with this code:
Code:
[URL=https://www.belltreeforums.com/]Home page![/URL]How can I shrink an image so it is exactly 250 pixels tall?
You can use the code below, replacing the URL with the URL of the image you want to include. However, remember that any text or spoilers will also be included in the signature height, so you should take the into account and adjust the "250px" to a smaller height if you need to include text.
Code:
[CENTER][IMG height="250px"]https://example.com/image.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER]How do I make an image clickable?
Wrap the image inside the URL tags!
Code:
[URL=https://www.belltreeforums.com][img]https://example.com/image.png[/img][/url]How do I change the color of text or links?
For text:
Code:
[COLOR=#BF0B0B]Text here[/COLOR]
Code:
[URL=https://www.belltreeforums.com][color=#BF0B0B]The Bell Tree Forums![/COLOR][/URL]Do I need to credit where I got my signature images?
Ideally, you will credit the source of any images you use for avatars or signatures. You must do this if it's a requirement from someone when using their art. For example, if you commission art from someone and they ask you to credit them, you should include this by either including their name and linking to their shop/website/profile/etc., or by making your signature image a clickable link that directs to their shop/website/profile/etc.
When I look at someone's signature it shows a blue box and the text "Content not viewable in your region". What's that about?
Do you happen to live in the UK? If you are seeing this message around the site it is because Imgur is no longer accessible in the United Kingdom. While we no longer encourage hosting images on Imgur, many images across the site have previously been hosted there. Please see this thread for more details, including instructions on how to hide signatures if you are finding them bothersome.
You can find the original The Signature Guide thread here. Thank you to Kaiaa for providing the base for this guide!
