How to use: YouTube thumbnail size (1280 × 720)
- 1Choose your thumbnail image or a frame from your video.
- 2The size is preset to 1280 × 720, cropped from the centre to 16:9.
- 3Press "Resize".
- 4Download and upload it in YouTube Studio under Thumbnail.
Thumbnail rules that matter
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended size | 1280 × 720 px |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Minimum width | 640 px |
| Max file size | 2 MB |
| Formats | JPG, PNG, GIF |
Design tips
- Big, readable text: thumbnails are often seen at matchbox size on phones.
- Faces with clear expressions tend to attract more clicks.
- High contrast between the subject and the background.
- Avoid the bottom-right corner, where YouTube shows the video length.
The same size works elsewhere
1280 × 720 is also a good size for blog featured images, Facebook link previews and presentation title slides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the YouTube thumbnail size?
1280 × 720 pixels, a 16:9 ratio, with a minimum width of 640 pixels. The file must be JPG, PNG or GIF (non-animated) and under 2 MB.
My thumbnail is over 2 MB. What should I do?
Save as JPG, or run the result through Compress image to KB with a target like 1500 KB. A 1280 × 720 JPG is normally well under 2 MB.
Why does my thumbnail look cut off on mobile?
The duration label covers the bottom-right corner. Keep faces and key text away from that corner.